I dropped off my car at the dealer this morning.

I am much concerned about the labor cost.

I did not ask leak inspection (my car went through 15000miles maintenance about 1.5 month ago at an independent - no leakage found -), but the dealer found transmission leak and replaced transmission pan gasket 10/9/2003. Then the dealer found leak again and replaced transmission pan 10/17/2003 (no labor charge this time).

Now I found transmission fluid leak and visited the dealer again. This is third time for transmission leak.

Dealer said he cleaned transmission and engine to clearly track where it leaks.

He is waiting for the engine and transmission to dry. He will say something tomorrow.

On the phone this evening, I emphasized that it was the dealer who found leak and suggested transmission pan gasket replacement to fix the leak.

He responded that the leak might be due to something else.


What happens if the dealer says there is leakage somewhere else and wants to charge labor cost for the repair?

I want to hear your opinion, please.


In this case, I may consider not having the job done at the dealer and go to an independent.

Do you think I am too bad a customer if I do so?

Of course, they spent time to inspect the problem. So I feel somewhat guilty to go elsewhere after they said they found the cause of the leak.

However, because the dealer did not locate the cause of leak correctly at the first time and at the second time, I had to waste time and money. I had the inconvenience: unable to use the car several days.

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I had an accident a while ago. My car's front hit a Hondas right side (from just front of the front wheel to the middle of the rear door).

Can that cause transmission leak?

My car had only scratches on the front bumper and crumpled and removed front number plate.