Acura engine noise

Honda definitely had the problem of slow acceleration. Where Toyotas
excelled. But, the Acura MDX appeared to have overcome the acceleration
problem. But, just overcoming the acceleration problem and offering
a smoother SUV drive is not enough for a high-end vehicle such as
Acura. Customer satisfaction on an on-going basis is important.
Whom you give dealership and servicing licenses, whether the vehicle
is being used for racial profiling and other hateful purposes and
so on assume larger importance.

Mikey wrote:
> I own an Acura but based on what I'm seeing, reading and hearing. The day
> when Honda was excellent may be over. Tranny problems galore, they are now
> learning timing chain issues, and the worse is that their engines are
> becoming like glass with high power densities.
> They don't build them the same anymore. Too bad.
>
> "Arya Raychaudhuri" wrote in message
>
>
>>After I did the major service (the $400/- service) to my MDX,
>>a disturbing engine noise came up.
>>If_folks_hear_that_noise_they_won't_buy_acuras_any_more
>>kinda noise. When I took the vehicle
>>back to the dealership where it was serviced, they are
>>suggesting that it is due a part called "Auto tensioner"
>>that was a known recall item for 02 MDXs. Is this
>>the experience of othe MDX users too? Interestingly,
>>I did not notice the noise before the last month's
>>service.
>>
>>Arjoe
>>
>
>
>
 >> Stay informed about: Acura engine noise 

"Mikey" wrote in message

> I own an Acura but based on what I'm seeing, reading and hearing. The day
> when Honda was excellent may be over. Tranny problems galore, they are now
> learning timing chain issues, and the worse is that their engines are
> becoming like glass with high power densities.
> They don't build them the same anymore. Too bad.

Mikey,

I agree with your assessment of Acuras. I don't know about the Hondas as
I've never owned one. I normally do my own maintenance work, but recently
I've taken my Acura in to the Acura dealer for simple but labor intensive CV
axle changes. Both times they screwed up where I had to return it for fixes
at THEIR expense! At least they acknowledged their screwups, but give me a
break. CV axles are no brainers to fix. The first time they installed an
axle with no bearing grease in the boot. It started making noises soon
after some driving. The second time they installed an axle that was too
short, i.e., the wrong part number.

When the Acura dealer cannot get this kind of stuff right, it is time to go
to switch car brand.

Simon
 >> Stay informed about: Acura engine noise 

On Wed, 24 Dec 2003 11:49:33 GMT, "Sng Ramirez"
wrote:

>"Mikey" wrote in message
>
>I agree with your assessment of Acuras. I don't know about the Hondas as
>I've never owned one. I normally do my own maintenance work, but recently
>I've taken my Acura in to the Acura dealer for simple but labor intensive CV
>axle changes. Both times they screwed up where I had to return it for fixes
>at THEIR expense! At least they acknowledged their screwups, but give me a
>break. CV axles are no brainers to fix. The first time they installed an
>axle with no bearing grease in the boot. It started making noises soon
>after some driving. The second time they installed an axle that was too
>short, i.e., the wrong part number.
>
>When the Acura dealer cannot get this kind of stuff right, it is time to go
>to switch car brand.

Deales and techs vary GREATLY in quality. And they make a huge
difference in brand perception. I've owned 2 Acuras. I liked both.
I now do my own maintanance. I've had minimal problems with the cars.
When I did take cars to the dealer, Keyes Acura in Van Nuys, CA did a
good job. Others did somewhat worse. My service writer, same guy
for years, would tip me off to little things like smog tests. "We
charge $90. but if you go 50 feet down the street, theres a guy who'll
do it for $40." He saved me $50 and cost his dealership a smog, but I
still used them for most all of my other maintanance work..

Technicians vary widely in their skill level and experience. Good
dealerships tend to keep their techs. The best shops in my area seem
to never need to hire... Why? Turnover is minimal. The more
familiar the tech is with the car, the less likely they are to make a
mistake -- like putting in the wrong part. However, no grease in the
boot.. I thought all CV axles arrived pre-greased as sealed units.


__________________
Note: To reply, replace the word 'spam' embedded in return address with 'mail'.
N38.6 W121.4
 >> Stay informed about: Acura engine noise 

Arya Raychaudhuri wrote in message ...
> Honda definitely had the problem of slow acceleration. Where Toyotas
> excelled. But, the Acura MDX appeared to have overcome the acceleration
> problem. But, just overcoming the acceleration problem and offering
> a smoother SUV drive is not enough for a high-end vehicle such as
> Acura. Customer satisfaction on an on-going basis is important.
> Whom you give dealership and servicing licenses, whether the vehicle
> is being used for racial profiling and other hateful purposes and
> so on assume larger importance.

What the hell are you talking about when you say "racial
profiling"???!!
That is way out in left field in my opinion. What purpose would this
serve and is it because you are of another race other than caucasian
that this is brought up at all? If someone at a dealer offended you
racially then it is that persons ignorance and stupidity that needs
attacked not Acura in general! If this is the case then you are
perpetuating racism by using "Acura" in general. I agree that your
needs should be addressed at the dealer when a problem is presented
but to come away from the dealer saying they are racial profiling
because your vehicle wasn't repaired to your liking is really stupid.
Maybe I have not gotten the whole story from these posts but as far as
I can tell this is a stupid way of approaching a poor service problem.
I hope I am wrong in my assumptions and if I am I apologize but damn
people can't we all just get along?

Acura God
 >> Stay informed about: Acura engine noise 

On Wed, 24 Dec 2003 19:53:28 GMT, Arya Raychaudhuri
wrote:

>Yes, they fixed it now. Took some shouting to make them do it quickly.
>I wonder how they would treat a lower profile brown customer like me.
>But, then, about the in-car racial profiling devices, I may contact
>Acura, as you suggest. Basically, the idea is that any profiling device
>should be under customer control. In fact, I had asked Sunnyvale Acura
>(in northern california) from where I had purchased the vehicle to put
>it in writing that there are no secret profiling devices in the vehicle.
>They did not do so.

Who said anything about racial profiling (other than you?)
 >> Stay informed about: Acura engine noise 

"Barry S." wrote in message

> Technicians vary widely in their skill level and experience. Good
> dealerships tend to keep their techs. The best shops in my area seem
> to never need to hire... Why? Turnover is minimal. The more
> familiar the tech is with the car, the less likely they are to make a
> mistake -- like putting in the wrong part. However, no grease in the
> boot.. I thought all CV axles arrived pre-greased as sealed units.

Barry,

Here is the real story. I thought it would be too much to post it all in
one message.

I travel a lot and came home for a weekend. The brakes were squealing that
they needed pad/disk replacement somewhere. I replaced the rears and went
back to Tallahassee. Two weeks later I came home for another weekend and
decided to replace the pads/disks at the front, although they weren't
squealing. I took the driver side wheel off first and noticed that the
outside boot was completely broken and separated, throwing all the grease to
the rim and ground. I immediately decided to call the dealership because it
was Friday morning, and I didn't have time to handle it myself. This was
the first time I took the car to the Acura dealer for maintenance. It is a
1991 Integra GS, so I've had plenty of time and miles (220,000) of
relatively maintenance free service.

The dealer quoted me a reasonable price that included lifetime replacement
on both parts and labor. When I took it in, I asked him to replace the
passenger side if it needed. About two hours later at my house, he called
me and told me that the right side only needed new boots. He said I could
save about $100 by replacing the boots and repacking the joints only. I
agreed and told him to go ahead. About four hours later, they called me to
come get the car.

I drove home with no problems but about a day later, I turned a sharp corner
and heard the dreaded noise of a CV joint going bad. I drove to Tallahassee
the next day with no problem. Two weeks later I pulled out of my parking
spot headed back to Orlando. As I pulled back and to the right, the CV
joint made a loud clanking noise and broke fully. Fortunately I knew
another guy driving to Orlando so I rapidly called him to come pick me up.

The following week I took the car to the Tallahassee dealer. After their
inspection they told me that the right side CV joint outer book lacked
grease totally. After a conference with the Orlando dealer, they decided
that the Orlando dealer would completely refund me the money that they
charged me to replace the boots and "repack" the CV joints on the right
side. They admitted their mistake and I commend them highly for it,
especially when they put their money where their mouth is.

The Tallahassee dealer replaced the right side CV axle completely, charging
me about what the Orlando dealership charged. After about two weeks, I
again came home to Orlando, where I noticed a stream of light clean looking
oil on my driveway underneath the right side of the car, below where the CV
axle is located. I immediately knew it was manual transmission oil. I
again took the car to the Orlando dealer, who determined that the wrong CV
axle was installed. The axle that the Tallahassee dealer installed was too
short and wasn't mating properly to the seal. Again a conference was held
with the Tallahassee Acura dealer, who decided to pay only for the axle but
not the labor.

Needless to say, I think this is outright bullshit. When I get back to
Tallahassee, I am going to contact them about this. I think that because
they installed the wrong axle, they cost me time and money. I don't know if
the technician was at fault or the parts department gave him the wrong axle,
but clearly the dealership is at fault. I need to talk to them first, but
if I don't get a positive response, then I'm going to contact Acura
directly. Although I commend the Orlando Acura dealer for putting their
money where their mouth is, the whole situation has cost me a lot of time.
Like I said, this is the first time I've really used the Acura dealerships
for maintenance, and I am very disappointed.

Simon
 >> Stay informed about: Acura engine noise 

You're being played (someone trying to sell you a new Acura?!).
When a CV wears out you're best off replacing the "pair" .. . not
"repacking" the boot. Use Midas and avoid all the b__s__t. Midas is
interstate and warrants their work/parts. Parts and labor are their
business. Acura dealers are great for major overhauls & original parts
(though I'd shop around for major fixes as some independents are quite good)
but their interests lie with $max$ profits and $new$ car sales. Study the
economics of who's selling you what.
Bill

"Sng Ramirez" wrote in
message
>
> "Barry S." wrote in message
>
> > Technicians vary widely in their skill level and experience. Good
> > dealerships tend to keep their techs. The best shops in my area seem
> > to never need to hire... Why? Turnover is minimal. The more
> > familiar the tech is with the car, the less likely they are to make a
> > mistake -- like putting in the wrong part. However, no grease in the
> > boot.. I thought all CV axles arrived pre-greased as sealed units.
>
> Barry,
>
> Here is the real story. I thought it would be too much to post it all in
> one message.
>
> I travel a lot and came home for a weekend. The brakes were squealing
that
> they needed pad/disk replacement somewhere. I replaced the rears and went
> back to Tallahassee. Two weeks later I came home for another weekend and
> decided to replace the pads/disks at the front, although they weren't
> squealing. I took the driver side wheel off first and noticed that the
> outside boot was completely broken and separated, throwing all the grease
to
> the rim and ground. I immediately decided to call the dealership because
it
> was Friday morning, and I didn't have time to handle it myself. This was
> the first time I took the car to the Acura dealer for maintenance. It is

a
> 1991 Integra GS, so I've had plenty of time and miles (220,000) of
> relatively maintenance free service.
>
> The dealer quoted me a reasonable price that included lifetime replacement
> on both parts and labor. When I took it in, I asked him to replace the
> passenger side if it needed. About two hours later at my house, he called
> me and told me that the right side only needed new boots. He said I could
> save about $100 by replacing the boots and repacking the joints only. I
> agreed and told him to go ahead. About four hours later, they called me
to
> come get the car.
>
> I drove home with no problems but about a day later, I turned a sharp
corner
> and heard the dreaded noise of a CV joint going bad. I drove to
Tallahassee
> the next day with no problem. Two weeks later I pulled out of my parking
> spot headed back to Orlando. As I pulled back and to the right, the CV
> joint made a loud clanking noise and broke fully. Fortunately I knew
> another guy driving to Orlando so I rapidly called him to come pick me up.
>
> The following week I took the car to the Tallahassee dealer. After their
> inspection they told me that the right side CV joint outer book lacked
> grease totally. After a conference with the Orlando dealer, they decided
> that the Orlando dealer would completely refund me the money that they
> charged me to replace the boots and "repack" the CV joints on the right
> side. They admitted their mistake and I commend them highly for it,
> especially when they put their money where their mouth is.
>
> The Tallahassee dealer replaced the right side CV axle completely,
charging
> me about what the Orlando dealership charged. After about two weeks, I
> again came home to Orlando, where I noticed a stream of light clean
looking
> oil on my driveway underneath the right side of the car, below where the
CV
> axle is located. I immediately knew it was manual transmission oil. I
> again took the car to the Orlando dealer, who determined that the wrong CV
> axle was installed. The axle that the Tallahassee dealer installed was
too
> short and wasn't mating properly to the seal. Again a conference was held
> with the Tallahassee Acura dealer, who decided to pay only for the axle
but
> not the labor.
>
> Needless to say, I think this is outright bullshit. When I get back to
> Tallahassee, I am going to contact them about this. I think that because
> they installed the wrong axle, they cost me time and money. I don't know
if
> the technician was at fault or the parts department gave him the wrong
axle,
> but clearly the dealership is at fault. I need to talk to them first, but
> if I don't get a positive response, then I'm going to contact Acura
> directly. Although I commend the Orlando Acura dealer for putting their
> money where their mouth is, the whole situation has cost me a lot of time.
> Like I said, this is the first time I've really used the Acura dealerships
> for maintenance, and I am very disappointed.
>
> Simon
>
>
 >> Stay informed about: Acura engine noise 

Forget about racial profiling. I am, in general, concerned with customer
privacy. Because, life like love flourishes better in private. So, any
undeclared violation of privacy is like killing life, love. And,
normally, a customer spends quite a bit of life in the car, and may even
make love in the car. In fact, to be concerned about privacy is ideally
capitalistic. As is known, capitalism is all about individual ownership.
And, I live and love like a copyright. I don't want my copyright to be
stolen. So, I want to make sure the vehicle doesn't incorporate any
undeclared bugs.

Arjoe

Acura God wrote:
> Arya Raychaudhuri wrote in message ...
>
>>Honda definitely had the problem of slow acceleration. Where Toyotas
>>excelled. But, the Acura MDX appeared to have overcome the acceleration
>>problem. But, just overcoming the acceleration problem and offering
>>a smoother SUV drive is not enough for a high-end vehicle such as
>>Acura. Customer satisfaction on an on-going basis is important.
>>Whom you give dealership and servicing licenses, whether the vehicle
>>is being used for racial profiling and other hateful purposes and
>>so on assume larger importance.
>
>
> What the hell are you talking about when you say "racial
> profiling"???!!
> That is way out in left field in my opinion. What purpose would this
> serve and is it because you are of another race other than caucasian
> that this is brought up at all? If someone at a dealer offended you
> racially then it is that persons ignorance and stupidity that needs
> attacked not Acura in general! If this is the case then you are
> perpetuating racism by using "Acura" in general. I agree that your
> needs should be addressed at the dealer when a problem is presented
> but to come away from the dealer saying they are racial profiling
> because your vehicle wasn't repaired to your liking is really stupid.
> Maybe I have not gotten the whole story from these posts but as far as
> I can tell this is a stupid way of approaching a poor service problem.
> I hope I am wrong in my assumptions and if I am I apologize but damn
> people can't we all just get along?
>
> Acura God
 >> Stay informed about: Acura engine noise 

"Arya Raychaudhuri" wrote in message

> Forget about racial profiling. I am, in general, concerned with customer
> privacy. Because, life like love flourishes better in private. So, any
> undeclared violation of privacy is like killing life, love. And,
> normally, a customer spends quite a bit of life in the car, and may even
> make love in the car. In fact, to be concerned about privacy is ideally
> capitalistic. As is known, capitalism is all about individual ownership.
> And, I live and love like a copyright. I don't want my copyright to be
> stolen. So, I want to make sure the vehicle doesn't incorporate any
> undeclared bugs.
>
> Arjoe

Arjoe,

I think you are unduly paranoid. Any dealer that would bug your car and get
caught would look really BAD in the public eye. There are TV and radio
stations foaming at the mouth looking for this sort of stuff. They may also
be commiting a felony in some states.

The only bugs you should be concerned about are the problems you are having
with your car.

Simon
 >> Stay informed about: Acura engine noise 

Sng Ramirez wrote:
> "Arya Raychaudhuri" wrote in message
>
>
>>Forget about racial profiling. I am, in general, concerned with customer
>>privacy. Because, life like love flourishes better in private. So, any
>>undeclared violation of privacy is like killing life, love. And,
>>normally, a customer spends quite a bit of life in the car, and may even
>>make love in the car. In fact, to be concerned about privacy is ideally
>>capitalistic. As is known, capitalism is all about individual ownership.
>>And, I live and love like a copyright. I don't want my copyright to be
>>stolen. So, I want to make sure the vehicle doesn't incorporate any
>>undeclared bugs.
>>
>>Arjoe
>
>
> Arjoe,
>
> I think you are unduly paranoid. Any dealer that would bug your car and get
> caught would look really BAD in the public eye. There are TV and radio
> stations foaming at the mouth looking for this sort of stuff. They may also
> be commiting a felony in some states.
>
> The only bugs you should be concerned about are the problems you are having
> with your car.

Right now, the noise bugs are corrected. Those were related to the
replacement of the recall item, auto tensioner.
So, the vehicle is in perfect shape, as new. The other bugs if present
are somewhat abstract.

Arjoe

>
> Simon
>
>
 >> Stay informed about: Acura engine noise 

On Thu, 25 Dec 2003 02:59:12 GMT, Arya Raychaudhuri
wrote:

>Forget about racial profiling. I am, in general, concerned with customer
>privacy. Because, life like love flourishes better in private. So, any
>undeclared violation of privacy is like killing life, love. And,
>normally, a customer spends quite a bit of life in the car, and may even
>make love in the car. In fact, to be concerned about privacy is ideally
>capitalistic. As is known, capitalism is all about individual ownership.
>And, I live and love like a copyright. I don't want my copyright to be
>stolen. So, I want to make sure the vehicle doesn't incorporate any
>undeclared bugs.

Wow! You're into some bad sh*t guy!
 >> Stay informed about: Acura engine noise 

"Arya Raychaudhuri" wrote in message

> Sng Ramirez wrote:
> > "Arya Raychaudhuri" wrote in message
> >
> >>Forget about racial profiling. I am, in general, concerned with customer
> >>privacy. Because, life like love flourishes better in private. So, any
> >>undeclared violation of privacy is like killing life, love. And,
> >>normally, a customer spends quite a bit of life in the car, and may even
> >>make love in the car. In fact, to be concerned about privacy is ideally
> >>capitalistic. As is known, capitalism is all about individual ownership.
> >>And, I live and love like a copyright. I don't want my copyright to be
> >>stolen. So, I want to make sure the vehicle doesn't incorporate any
> >>undeclared bugs.
> >>Arjoe

Dude, Arya, stop posting on Usenet, man. You're giving Desis a bad name.
 >> Stay informed about: Acura engine noise 

Tera Baap wrote:
> "Arya Raychaudhuri" wrote in message
>
>
>>Sng Ramirez wrote:
>>
>>>"Arya Raychaudhuri" wrote in message
>>>
>>>
>>>>Forget about racial profiling. I am, in general, concerned with customer
>>>>privacy. Because, life like love flourishes better in private. So, any
>>>>undeclared violation of privacy is like killing life, love. And,
>>>>normally, a customer spends quite a bit of life in the car, and may even
>>>>make love in the car. In fact, to be concerned about privacy is ideally
>>>>capitalistic. As is known, capitalism is all about individual ownership.
>>>>And, I live and love like a copyright. I don't want my copyright to be
>>>>stolen. So, I want to make sure the vehicle doesn't incorporate any
>>>>undeclared bugs.
>>>>Arjoe
>>>
>
> Dude, Arya, stop posting on Usenet, man. You're giving Desis a bad name.

Why?

>
>
 >> Stay informed about: Acura engine noise