Leaking strut on 2001 Acura EL 1.7

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Henri Fournier - 16 Jan 2006 19:33 GMT

I took my 2001 Acura EL 1.7 in for regular service (odometer 109,335 Km) and
noted that I was hearing a clunking sound from the left-front when going
over small bumps. After the service, I was informed that I had a strut that
was leaking badly and that it would need replacing, but that I should really
replace both (~ $750 CDN).

Questions:
1. Should a strut need replacing after just over 100,000 Km?
2. Is this normal or a known issue with the Acura EL / Honda Civic?
3. Is this component covered under the 5 year - 100,000 Km warranty?
4. Should this problem have been discovered during the last maintenance
(96,000 Km includes inspecting suspension) while still under warranty?
5. Should I replace both?
6. Should I have to pay for this, or ask that the dealer cover it under
warranty?

Any other advice would appreciated. Thanks.

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Henri Fournier

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TeGGeR® - 16 Jan 2006 19:47 GMT

>
> I took my 2001 Acura EL 1.7 in for regular service (odometer 109,335
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
> Questions:
> 1. Should a strut need replacing after just over 100,000 Km?

Not normally, no. Unless it's got damaged in some way. Have you got a
second opinion from another garage? If you in fact have one "leaking", you
don't necessarily need OEM strut inserts. There are plenty of good
aftermarket ones out there.

> 2. Is this normal or a known issue with the Acura EL / Honda Civic?

Not to my knowledge. But did you ask if there are any TSBs outstanding for
your VIN?

> 3. Is this component covered under the 5 year - 100,000 Km warranty?

Read the warranty papers. That's why they were supplied to you by Honda.

> 4. Should this problem have been discovered during the last
> maintenance (96,000 Km includes inspecting suspension) while still
> under warranty?

If it actually existed at that time, yes.

Get a second opinion.

> 5. Should I replace both?

Yes.

> 6. Should I have to pay for this, or ask that the dealer cover it
> under warranty?

See above.

> Any other advice would appreciated. Thanks.

Be nice, but firm. Losing your temper or making take-it-or-leave-it demands
will get you nowhere. Get your facts straight on the warranty first, then
dig up the original bill-of-sale so you know the day the car was sold. The
countdown starts then.

If you're owed something according to the warranty but the dealer won't
help, call Honda Canada at 1-888-922-8729.

Signature

TeGGeR®

The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQ
www.tegger.com/hondafaq/

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Henri Fournier - 17 Jan 2006 02:14 GMT

>> Questions:
>> 1. Should a strut need replacing after just over 100,000 Km?
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
> don't necessarily need OEM strut inserts. There are plenty of good
> aftermarket ones out there.

No, I haven't gone anywhere else yet. Not sure where to go actually. First
to come to mind would be Midas, but I have no idea if they are good or bad.
The service guy said he checked for after-market parts, but that they would
only be $20 cheaper.

>> 2. Is this normal or a known issue with the Acura EL / Honda Civic?
>
> Not to my knowledge. But did you ask if there are any TSBs outstanding for
> your VIN?

I didn't asked, but tried to check for TSBs online. Problem is that the EL
is apparently a "Canada only" model, so the US sites don't list it as a
choice.

>> 3. Is this component covered under the 5 year - 100,000 Km warranty?
>
> Read the warranty papers. That's why they were supplied to you by Honda.

Struts weren't mentioned, so I'm not sure if they fall under major component
or not. If I knew for sure that they were, then I could make a case for
covering them under goodwill.

>> Any other advice would appreciated. Thanks.
>
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
> If you're owed something according to the warranty but the dealer won't
> help, call Honda Canada at 1-888-922-8729.

Thanks.

--
Henri

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TeGGeR® - 17 Jan 2006 02:29 GMT

> The service guy said he checked for after-market parts,
> but that they would only be $20 cheaper.

Hmmm. I wonder. If I were you, I'd start phoning around. NAPA, CarQuest,
etc. I've found most aftermarket to be much cheaper than OEM. Then again,
if not defective or abused, Honda OEM shocks last pretty much forever, so I
would spend the cash for OEM, knowing I'd likely never have to touch them
ever again.

> I didn't asked, but tried to check for TSBs online. Problem is that
> the EL is apparently a "Canada only" model, so the US sites don't list
> it as a choice.

The only sure source for TSBs is your local dealer. And the only way they
can look up TSBs for you is with these two things:
1) Your symptom (And the keywords you use to describe it are critical!
2) Your VIN.

They cannot narrow down the search any other way. This is why they don't
check when you bring your car in, since they need a problem to search for
in the first place.

> Struts weren't mentioned, so I'm not sure if they fall under major
> component or not.

Were suspension components mentioned? Or were strut inserts (shocks)
included in a list of exclusions?

> If I knew for sure that they were, then I could make
> a case for covering them under goodwill.

You could try calling Honda Canada. The dealer is just a franchise. They
are not Honda. If you call Honda, don't tell them anything about the
problems, just tell them you've lost your warranty papers and need to know
if shocks are included in the factory warranty. They may tell you you have
to talk to your dealer anyway, but it's worth a try.

Signature

TeGGeR®

The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQ
www.tegger.com/hondafaq/

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Stewart DIBBS - 16 Jan 2006 22:40 GMT

> 1. Should a strut need replacing after just over 100,000 Km?

Quite a reasonable service life, perhaps a bit in the short side of the bell
curve, but it happens. Look into KYB GR2 or even Koni. And yes, you should
be prepared to replace both, as you'll likley notice a difference between
the good old and new strut.

Stewart DIBBS

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High Tech Misfit - 16 Jan 2006 22:56 GMT

> 1. Should a strut need replacing after just over 100,000 Km?

Depends on driving habits and road conditions.

> 2. Is this normal or a known issue with the Acura EL / Honda Civic?

I believe it is a fairly known issue, although not frequent. There might
have been a TSB, but that usually does not equate into a free repair.

> 3. Is this component covered under the 5 year - 100,000 Km warranty?

Since you're over 100,000km, it's a moot point now.

> 4. Should this problem have been discovered during the last maintenance
> (96,000 Km includes inspecting suspension) while still under warranty?

Depending on when the last maintenance was done, it may not have been a
problem then.

> 5. Should I replace both?

It is strongly recommended.

> 6. Should I have to pay for this, or ask that the dealer cover it under
> warranty?

Unfortunately, you are out of warranty.

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