P500 First Servicing Conflicting Information

[MidTN]

Greetings from Middle Tennessee. I bought a leftover but brand new 2018 P500 this spring. I love this thing, it's used for work around my property and also for play in the hills and trails through it. The wrench icon just lit up on the display telling me it's time for it's first servicing. I called the dealer I bought it from and with my discount it will cost $380 plus tax. They said that covers oil change, checking and topping off fluids, parts, and valve adjustment. Said it's 3.5 hours of work. I Called another nearby Honda dealer and they said $150 plus parts and that essentially covers an oil change and checking and topping off fluids. They said it would be silly to do a valve adjustment with only a little over 20 hours or 100 miles or so and I tend to agree. I asked them if not doing do the valve adjustment would void my warranty and they said no. Now, for $150 plus parts I can do that servicing myself. I can not do the valve adjustment. What would you do in this case? My main concern is I don't want to void the warranty I have, it just seems likeone plan is too basic and one is overkill.

 

[Admin]

 

[Alan_Vander]

Id take it to them the 150$ dealer and let them at it. Thats really not bad you could pretty much do it all yourself for around 70 bucks. And later if valves start clattering there are plenty of writeups and info on this forum for adjusting valves.

Sent from my moto z4 using Tapatalk

 

[SILVER_ALERT]

I would recommend you buy the Honda OEM oil filter and recommended Honda oil from the dealer and do it yourself. Also there are a couple of O-rings that you may or may not need, depending on whether you loose or pinch one. Get them just in case. Keep all the recipts and you will be OK warranty wise.

There is some helpful information on the forum on P500 oil change. You might want to pick up some plastic rivits, just in case you mess one up. It's no big deal even if you do.

It's not that hard to do. A little bit of a PITA the first time, just like a lot of things, but no big deal after that.

 

[SILVER_ALERT]

Id take it to them the 150$ dealer and let them at it. Thats really not bad you could pretty much do it all yourself for around 70 bucks. And later if valves start clattering there are plenty of writeups and info on this forum for adjusting valves.

Sent from my moto z4 using Tapatalk

I agree that $150 is fair, if you don't want to mess with it. I also agree that a valve adjustment should not be necessary.

 

[sporttrac4x4]

Go for the 150 and keep the paper work they will charge at least another 100 for parts and oil

 

[MidTN]

Thanks for all the replies so far! The dealership that is less expensive is also a bit closer. I'll have to factor my time and transport costs into the equation as well but I'll most likely take it in so I'll have dealer receipts for the work.

 

[NitroxDiver]

I did my own service including the valve check. If you are comfortable doing your own fluid change then I wouldn’t pay to have it done. You are not required to have the dealer do any service to maintain your warranty. If you decide to do it yourself just keep records and save your receipts. I like Honda fluids but you are also not required to use Honda fluids or filters as long as the fluids you choose meet Honda’s requirements.

 

[HUCK]

Greetings from Middle Tennessee. I bought a leftover but brand new 2018 P500 this spring. I love this thing, it's used for work around my property and also for play in the hills and trails through it. The wrench icon just lit up on the display telling me it's time for it's first servicing. I called the dealer I bought it from and with my discount it will cost $380 plus tax. They said that covers oil change, checking and topping off fluids, parts, and valve adjustment. Said it's 3.5 hours of work. I Called another nearby Honda dealer and they said $150 plus parts and that essentially covers an oil change and checking and topping off fluids. They said it would be silly to do a valve adjustment with only a little over 20 hours or 100 miles or so and I tend to agree. I asked them if not doing do the valve adjustment would void my warranty and they said no. Now, for $150 plus parts I can do that servicing myself. I can not do the valve adjustment. What would you do in this case? My main concern is I don't want to void the warranty I have, it just seems likeone plan is too basic and one is overkill.View attachment 214044

Just do it yourself . It's super easy . Don't mess with the valves .

 

[sporttrac4x4]

I Do my own service too but Make sure you do it correct .use the correct oil use crush washers do not over tighten things and it will go great and you will save money Have fun and good luck.

 

[snakeriver]

I did the initial service at 100mi, and the valve adjustment at 500mi. I use to be the parts and service manager at the dealership where I bought my 500, and we never did advise a valve adjustment on a new machine unless there was some type of issue before 500mi.

 

[Mudder]

Do it yourself to get familiar with the machine. Much how-to info here, including cutting an access hole under the seat for all the future oil changes. I have never checked the valves in 3 yrs.

P500 - Make oil changes easy!

After pulling screws and pushpins repeatedly every time the oil needed to be changed, I decided I'd had enough and did what Honda failed to, and cut an access hole under the seat: Might go back and add a flap later, but for now, all I gotta do is just reach down and remove the filter. If you...

hondasxs.com

 

[MidTN]

Thanks everyone, I appreciate all the excellent input! I'm going to do the servicing myself including the oil change, changing oil in front and rear differentials to drain out any possible metal shavings from manufacture and break-in and anything else on the Honda checklist other than the valve adjustment.

 

[Meyers]

A little frustrated now. Attempted my first oil change today. Oil drain plug extremely tight all the way out. Crush washer crushed. Removed crush washer. Oil drain plug starts but binds while tightening with my fingers. Don’t want to force it. Anybody else have this issue. Calling dealer in am.

 

[Smitty335]

A little frustrated now. Attempted my first oil change today. Oil drain plug extremely tight all the way out. Crush washer crushed. Removed crush washer. Oil drain plug starts but binds while tightening with my fingers. Don’t want to force it. Anybody else have this issue. Calling dealer in am.

Calling the Dealer is the best option in my feeble mind. You could get a bottom tap and chase the threads and a new bolt, be very careful if you take this upon yourself with aluminum.

 

[Meyers]

A little frustrated now. Attempted my first oil change today. Oil drain plug extremely tight all the way out. Crush washer crushed. Removed crush washer. Oil drain plug starts but binds while tightening with my fingers. Don’t want to force it. Anybody else have this issue. Calling dealer in am.

 

[Meyers]

Took machine to the dealer today. He said he will take pics and send to Honda to see if it’s covered under warranty. If covered he said probably a couple months to repair. If it’s not covered I will fix it myself. Dealer said first 2 threads bad and others pushed in. Have to wait and see I guess.

 

[CID]

Well that sucks, Meyers. It's a rather important bolt. At least you know about it, if the dealer had done the first service they may have just looked the other way.

I had my Talon's first service done by the dealer to cover my butt on the warranty but they bent me right over ($$$) for doing it.

 

[Meyers]

It appears time sert makes a permanent repair kit for these drain plug thread issues. A lot of you tube videos as well.

 

[Meyers]

Does anyone know the oil drain plug bolt size? I found it for the 1000 but not the 500.

 

[DG Rider]

Does anyone know the oil drain plug bolt size? I found it for the 1000 but not the 500.

RMATV lists 12mm for a 2017 500 (didn't know your year).
Take the drain bolt and match it to a tap. Pack the flutes of the tap with grease to catch any shavings and chase the threads. Maybe even pour a quart through it afterwards.
I doubt your dealership will go to the effort of replacing a crankcase just for this issue. There are also self tapping oversized drain plugs out there that might work.