| SuperTech |
| Just thought I'd throw up some pics of the seam being sealed without any cutting involved... |
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| SuperTech |
| They dark grey stuff is the sealer. I slather it all all the way down the seam, and not just the upper area. I get at it by loading up a long handled brush that has a little bend in it with the sealer and just ramming it down that opening a bunch of times. |
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| SuperTech |
| The lower part. |
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| SuperTech |
| Other side. Far shot. |
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| Rick Natividad |
| Great pics SuperTech! This is exactly what Valley Stream Acura did on my 03X. Been dry since, although, wondering how long the sealant will last? Perhaps it will last for another 5 years until the sealant gets brittle.. |
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| jlmdcm |
I just bought a "new to me" 2002 MDX several weeks ago (29MAR06) and after our recent heavy new england rain, noticed the floormats were thoroughly soaked through. Some rust and minor damage is evident.
My dealer is being cooperative, although the information that I will be providing him, from you folks will be much more useful than the blind guesses his tech was making. They replaced the clean air box gasket??? I ran a hose on the windshield for 1/2 hour to prove that fix failed.
Back to the shop next week. I'm confident that my issue is similar to what you have described.
Thank you for taking the time to post your replies. You're doing right by me. :)
I'll get back on and fill you in on my successful resolution, hopefully soon. |
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| outdoorgirl |
Okay, I have been so bothered by Acura, it has taken me this long to post again!
Because of my car being past it's warranty point, Acura did not cover ANY of my over $1300.00 repair cost to fix the water leak defect. I must mention there were up to 5 MDX's and more coming into the small Beaverton, Oregon shop where I had it repaired. Tell me it is a maintenance item!
In addition, shortly after picking up my car, the check engine light came on. At about 101K. The car had been running perfectly fine...took it to the dealer to see what code came up. They came back with it needing a transmission -told me I should not even drive the car out of the lot as it was going to leave me stranded. Oh, and a parts cost of 6k not including labor!!! They then told me they would take the car off my hands and get me into a LEASE for $329 a month (Oh, and my car of course has no value to them).
After telling them exactly what I thought of RON TONKIN ACURA IN BEAVERTON OREGON BEING A BUNCH OF CROOKS, I drove my car home. It has been to the coast, the mountains, several road trips and to work every day with no problem at all.
I love the car, but will avoid at great lengths ever taking it to this dealer ever again! And as far as Acura Customer Care -What a joke!
My next car will most likely be a Toyota. |
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| ardvarkus |
quote:
Originally posted by outdoorgirl
Okay, I have been so bothered by Acura, it has taken me this long to post again!
Because of my car being past it's warranty point, Acura did not cover ANY of my over $1300.00 repair cost to fix the water leak defect. I must mention there were up to 5 MDX's and more coming into the small Beaverton, Oregon shop where I had it repaired. Tell me it is a maintenance item!
In addition, shortly after picking up my car, the check engine light came on. At about 101K. The car had been running perfectly fine...took it to the dealer to see what code came up. They came back with it needing a transmission -told me I should not even drive the car out of the lot as it was going to leave me stranded. Oh, and a parts cost of 6k not including labor!!! They then told me they would take the car off my hands and get me into a LEASE for $329 a month (Oh, and my car of course has no value to them).
After telling them exactly what I thought of RON TONKIN ACURA IN BEAVERTON OREGON BEING A BUNCH OF CROOKS, I drove my car home. It has been to the coast, the mountains, several road trips and to work every day with no problem at all.
I love the car, but will avoid at great lengths ever taking it to this dealer ever again! And as far as Acura Customer Care -What a joke!
My next car will most likely be a Toyota.
This whole story of your treatment at by Acura and their representatives (RON TONKIN) is disturbing. They are clearly scum, but for Acura to allow this is extremely short sighted. THey have- rightly- lost a repeat customer.
Do keep in mind that you should view any car dealer as an 'enemy' looking to screw you at every chance. (They are.) Do not think they will 'do the right thing' nor should you believe anything not WRITTTEN. Shop for an extended warranty with the next car- you can buy it from any dealer, not from the 'selling' dealer. It is (almost) always cheaper when you shop it by phone. (Or, find out the 'going price' for the extended warranty from the factory, then tell the finance guy that is what you will pay.) |
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| nhcrafts |
I had a similar water problem as yours. Mine was so bad that there was at least an inch of water on both floor mats if I drove a long way in heavy rain. I went through all the various tests recommended by the Acura dealer: windshield pressure test: cleaned the AC and moonroof drains:checked door seals etc,etc. It turns out it was a manufacturers defect. BUT, it's almost impossible to find.
My service manager had scheduled an appointment with the "Water Doctors", a leak specialist in my area ( Southern NH ). She had the car at the Acura dealership and she was doing some preliminary checks when she realized the problem was a big problem. She had discovered that the padding on the firewall was soaking wet and covered in slime and mold! I had convinced her that the leak had started even before my 4 YR/ 50K warranty had run out and she had used that info to get Acuira to agree to replace the carpet for free.
Once she got the seats and carpet out she discovered two inches of water under both seats, all along the bottom of the passenger compartment. She said even with all that water they could not find the source of the leak. They were stumped. They removed the dashboard and all the firewall padding. It was not leaking at the heater core, firewall or any other engine compartment area.
Luckily another guy came in while they were disassembling my car and complained about the same problem. His was caused installing some aftermarket fender wells. He drilled holes in his car body and the water was coming in through those holes. My service rep told him that and then the guy showed her a website that had pictures of water problems in MDXs similar to mine from California. The site had detailed pictures of where the leak was from. I'm sorry I don't have the website URL, I'll try to get it and post it.
The leak was from an internal non-structural panel seam under both front fenders. You have to take the fenders off and then cut open and peel back a second metal panel to get to a seam that was pop riveted and was leaking from day one! There was mold growing on the seams indicating it had growing for years! When the seam leaks it allows water to build up inside the frame rails up by the front doors. Then when you take a turn the water spills out behind the firewall and runs down under the rug. That's why you can never see the water until it builds up on the floor and soaks the mats.
My dealer doesn't't do TIG welding so she sent the car to an auto body dealer to fix the seams. They both water tested it and said they fixed it. It took three weeks to get the car back but they gave me a new MDX to use so that was nice. And they didn't charge me a dime. I've also had a new transmission put in the car. Take a look at the thread on this website for 2001 and 2002 MDX transmission problems.
My service rep said she took pictures and sent them to Acura so this defect is getting to be known but it will be very difficult to explain to and convince a dealer to do this type of extensive work without some pictures of other peoples problems. But try to convince them and if necessary call Kelly at Claire Acura in North Hampton and ask her to give you the name of the Acura factory rep that she sent the pictures of my car to. Maybe through that guy you can get your dealership to act.
Start with getting your service rep to check your padding on the firewall and if that is slimy and wet you've probably got the same problem as mine. Let him read my post and have him contact Acura for permission to fix the problem regardless of whether you are past your warranty. But based on their reluctance to recall a known defect in their transmissions I doubt if they will recall because of this. But you are not the only one with this problem. Get them to fix it or you'll live with a wet car forever! |
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| SuperTech |
quote:
Originally posted by nhcrafts
The site had detailed pictures of where the leak was from. I'm sorry I don't have the website URL, I'll try to get it and post it.
Let me help you. The URL is not that far away...
http://www.acuramdx.org/forums/show...15&pagenumber=7 |
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| nhcrafts |
| That's the seam where my leak was coming from. It a factory defect. They fix it for nothing! |
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| richkuan |
quote:
Originally posted by outdoorgirl
They came back with it needing a transmission -told me I should not even drive the car out of the lot as it was going to leave me stranded. Oh, and a parts cost of 6k not including labor!!! They then told me they would take the car off my hands and get me into a LEASE for $329 a month (Oh, and my car of course has no value to them).
That's very normal. And a lot of my friends had the same experience - after the dealer worked on their car, the problems just happened one after one, the more they work on it, the more problem. And the dealer is just like a money hole, endless.
I totally agree with ardvarkas' opinion, always have the mind set that, all the dealership wants is your money, not to take care your car. Always keep in mind they are liars, bastards. Especially if you don't know cars, they will eat you without a bone left. And when they told you it costs $7000 dollars to get it fixed, they will say it so naturally like everyone is paying this and they are so used to it. And you are surprised? Come on, everyone is paying this money and it's nothing.....
Keep in mind, they need your money badly!!! If you are not careful, they will just like a money vacuum, suck away all you have, and wanting more, more, more.....
Now, back to your tranny problem. If Autozone is in your area, they can read the code for free (dealer charge $90). Get the code and you will have a better idea what it is.
I had the experience of tranny problem on one of my vehicles. It's a Honda, 15 years old. It wouldn't shift to the lower gear and the D light is always on. The dealer said the clutch pads must had been worned and it's time for a new tranny for such an old car -- $3800. I went to 3 local tranny shops. One test drove my car, smelled the tranny oil, and said the tranny is gone, they can rebuild it for $2000. The 2nd shop said they can replace it between $1500 -- $2500.
All 3 shops did one same thing : told me I can't drive my car away since it's too dangerous. Get it? They want to scare you so you will leave your car there to let them have a big bite of your money. But since my car run great at high speed, I still drove it.
I was almost convinced at that time that I did need a new tranny. But one question bothered me: if the tranny is bad, why the car run so great at high speed? It shouldn't!! And no one from the shops can give me a reasonable enough answer.
So, I went to a 3rd shop, I am lucky it's an honest one -- North Laurel Transmissions, in Laurel, MD. The tech there spent 5 minutes testing the tranny. And told me it's not the tranny. Something related to the control unit or the lockup solinoids. It's electrical, not mechanical, and he assured me my tranny is mechanically sound.
I did some research, and found out it's the TCM. I found one in a junk yard, $50. It's 4 years ago, my car has 60k miles since, tranny is gone? Clutches are worn? It's time for a new tranny for such an old car? All were big lies so they can scam the money into their pocket!!! But if I did not have some common sense, I would have fell for it.
I feel sorry that Acura had down graded their brand name to an ordinary, about average, auto manufacturer. Not a luxurious one anymore -- just like Honda and Toyota, didn't treat their customer any better. So, why pay mroe for that brand name?
My next car will definitely not an Acura. Too dispointing !! |
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| outdoorgirl |
Thank you ardvarkus for the extended warranty advice. This will definitely be chosen for my next vehicle.
Thank you also richkuan for the transmission information. I have never noticed anything different (the car runs and drives great), other than the check engine light coming on with my car... I have been waiting for quite some time for the light to come back on (so that I can take it somewhere else) but it hasn't. I will refer back to your post if it does become a problem.
**Please note "All water leak people" -I have noticed a few cars with just passenger side repairs. My MDX had at least an inch of standing water on the passenger side while parked in my driveway. However, while my car was apart in the shop, they discovered that the drivers side was just beginning to leak when tested. They ended up fixing both sides. Might want to consider this, rather than having other MDX's ripped apart more than once! |
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| metdrt |
| I just joined up and the water leak info is priceless- I have a 2001 with 120k on it- been a great car but this summer starting finding the wet carpet problem- just took it to my dealer here in VA in December and they sent me to a detail shop- kept it 10 days and could not duplicate the leak- first heavy rain here new years day and it is soaked on driver's side again- going back to the dealer tomorrow armed with all the info and pics form this site- will keep you posted but it sounds like this is an ongoing problem for a lot o MDXs! MT |
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| metdrt |
Help- talked to the Acura dealer in Richmond VA and they can find no body shop that will even look at my MDX- talked with the folks in Cary thanks to MesaBeige and they gave me the name of the body shop that did the repair- called them and the guy was very helpful- Acura care will do nothing since my car is out of warranty- thinking of driving to Raleigh and getting this done! Anybody in Virginia having better luck than I am here in Richmond?
MT |
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| metdrt |
| Just paid the body shop $900 for the body repairs under both fenders- Acura has been totally useless (both the dealer and Acura NA). Looks like it fixed the problem but what a hassle- no one could find the problem but thank goodness for this website- anybody else getting any help from Acura????? |
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| badboy8787 |
| Hello all. I too, have water leaks on my floor. Now, before I bring my car to any dealer, can anybody RECOMMEND a good dealership or a body shop thats aware of this issue? Preferably, in the Boston or the NYC area. I have an 2001 X and I totally love it. I do not want this to be a nightmare. Thanks to all |
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| dsemenza |
| my 2004 mdx is back in the shop for ongoing water problem.the dealer has been good so far.the first week i had a tl. this time around i have a 2007 mdx. great car they still don't know what the problem is. |
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| whodge1327 |
I have a 2002 MDX that is leaking into the passenger floor board. I have been working with Acura and they have said they will NOT cover the repair. They did not even investigate what it could be.
I have done extensive testing and believe it is leaking at the inner fender / firewall seam. I am going to fix it myself. Thanks to SuperTech's posts, I believe I can get it done. I will post pics and let everyone know the outcome of my repair attempt.
Thanks,
Will |
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| SuperTech |
| Get a brushable seam sealer. Like this one. |
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| Josoami |
I just discovered the exact same problem many of you have described with your Acura MDX's. My MDX is a 2002 model I purchased as a Certified vehicle from John Eagle in Houston, Texas in 2003. The vehicle had 23,000 miles on it when purchased, now has 47K...it's primarily my 'weekend' vehicle, as I have a 1992 Honda Civic I drive to work as a 'commuter car.' The Acura is so 'babied,' it's almost pathetic! Anyway, the Honda was out of commission last week, so I had to drive the Acura to work; during this time, we have been hit with torrential rains and thunderstorms in the Houston area. This weekend I got inside the MDX (in the garage) to get something; I then smelled a musky odor, like it was wet. Sure enough, the passenger side floormat was soaked, as was the carpet beneath it. I dried it out as best I could and I think it's going to be ok, IF it doesn't get wet again.
I spoke with the dealership I purchased the MDX from, they told me I would have to bring it in for diagnosis...estimated cost, $700.00. The service advisor didn't think my extended warranty would cover the cost, but Acura MAY pay for it. He gave me the number to Acura Customer Care (or something similar to that) at 1-800-382-2238. I spoke with a representative named "Walter" who told me I would have to take the vehicle in to an authorized dealer and have it diagnosed before Acura could even consider doing anything...which as frustrating as that is, I understand. I have an appointment to take the vehicle in on Thursday at 9am, 6/28/07, to John Eagle Acura.
I'm keeping my fingers crossed that Acura takes care of this problem, I'm sort of 'car-repair-poor' right now, with the Honda in the shop and just paying over $600.00 to get my son's 2000 Pontiac Firebird out of the dealer shop last Friday. When it rains, it pours!
Thank GOD I found this website.
Best Regards,
Joe
Josoami@aol.com |
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| dj_dk |
We had a similar leak problem on our Audi A6 on the passenger side. During thunderstorms it would be like Niagara Falls in the front passenger seat.
Took it to some Auto Glass and other Repair shops for diagnosis. They tried to replicate the storms but no leaking occurred (of course not, why should it when you take it to someone for inspection!).
After trading the car in. the dealer told us the car had been in an accident prior to us originally purchasing it which might have explained why it was leaking on the same side that the accident occurred.
food for thought. |
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| ohpulease |
| My '03 MDX has been at the local Acura dealership for a week now due to LEAKS and they have called once to tell me they ordered a "special" wire that needs to be replaced in antenna. I'm sooooo not a happy camper. The LEAK only occured when I moved from Scottsdale, AZ (where we get little to no rain) to VA where it rains normally. I had water accumulation in front passenger seat after first rain here in VA. Thought someone left a window down. Then it happened twice more and I was fuming. This IS NOT AN INEXPENSIVE car, folks! And this problem is definitely a production problem. I don't know yet what they do or do not plan to charge me but if anyone here has heard about an "official" complaint to recover charges....please let me know! Thank you. |
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| ohpulease |
re: food for thought on prior damage from accident....
My MDX touring package car was purchased brand new in '03...there should NOT have been any previous drivers, much less "accidents"
to create this apparently widespread water leaking problem. |
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| mechguy |
Me too thanks to this thread. It happens to my Acura CL "98, too bad I have to buy an Acura CL water pump, I thought it was the problem. Then I check and see if there's a drain plug. It fallen out or something. I finally figured it out when my father and I got to crawling around under the car. Good Luck...
Also got this site http://www.2carpros.com/how_does_it_work.htm they have complete details in car repair, Its very useful. |
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| jfisher |
| I bought a used 2001 MDX last year with 90,000 miles on it. The car was great and I had no problems through the first winter. In October 2007 I noticed water on the drivers side and lifted the carpet and found 2 inches of water. I contacted the dealership, they said they would not cover it, and I contacted Acura directly. They offered no help. I found this message board right away and did a lot of research. I took my bumper off and front fender and went to work re sealing the seams on the firewall, thinking that was the problem. While I was working on it I noticed that the rubber grommit where the hood release cord goes through the firewall was brittle and torn on the underside. Water had been trickling down the cord and showing up right under the release lever on the inside of the car. I sealed that up as well with an automotive silicone. I have been driving it for about a month now and the water problem is solved. The whole thing cost me about 12 hours of my time and $25.00 in material. If you have patience and a little bit of skill you could take care of it yourself. |
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| Daniellehu |
| Does anyone know any dealerships familiar with this problem in the Northern VA, MD, DC area. My 2004 MDX has the same leak that has been described in the above and I dont want to get the run around from the dealership. Any help would be so appreciated. My car is still under the extended warranty I purchased when I bought it certified used. |
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