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Independent Mechanics
bought a '99 TJ 4.0 last spring, have a daughter driving it, 67k miles
other than maintenance and a radio, i haven't had to spend much on repairs. daughter comes home tuesday night just before i leave on a business trip, says the car is running rough, idles rough. runs under WOT but not well at part throttle. so being a student of this group i'm thinking electrical connectors on the CPS or TPS or MAP sensor ... easy to get to. open each up, spray out w/ electronics cleaner, put a dab of dielectric grease on it and put them back together. pull the TB, looks clean, shoot it w/ some carb cleaner and blow it out. check the IAC and clean it out. the jeep now starts fine, idles smooth, drive it and runs part throttle or full throttle fine. tell daughter it should be OK, leave town. phone call next day while i'm out of town, sam ting happening. so i call up an independent mechanic shop i've used over the past three years and arrange for daughter to drop it off. up until now this shop has been excellent, good work, reasonable prices, no upselling etc. today the service writer tells me that the MAP senson was bad, the Throttle Body needed cleaning. my wife authorized the repair whild i was on the trip. oh ... btw - the shocks and steering damper are shot and the serp belt needs replaceing. sheesh, glad i didn't tell him to look anywhere else. and that my wife had sense not to authorize these fixes. so i check out the price for the MAP sensor. Mopar retail is about $108 and I can get it for about $90. call the service writer back and ask him how he gets from $110 to $270 1 hr. diagnostics $82.00 MAP Sensor $110 Labor for MAP Sensor 0.7 hr $57 Labor for TB cleaning 0.25 hr $21 hooking up a scanner ... about what - 5 minutes? replacing a MAP sensor on a 4.0 about what - another 5 minutes so i called the shop owner and told him that his diagnostic charge is out of line on a car like this, that his labor is out of line for this particular repair and that if i ever get upsold again i'd be taking my business elsewhere and that i absolutely won't let my wife or daughters drop a car off and authorize a repair ever again. i don't think he gets it. thanks for letting me vent, should have told the kid to wait until i got home. reboot --- avast! Antivirus: Outbound message clean. Virus Database (VPS): 000774-6, 09/14/2007 Tested on: 9/14/2007 11:28:08 PM avast! - copyright (c) 1988-2007 ALWIL Software. http://www.avast.com |
Re: Independent Mechanics
I use to feel bad about charging $35 an hour for labor when I worked on
cars. Maybe u should have looked for a "shadetree" mechanic like me. In all the yrs my father and I worked on cars, we never overcharged anyone( unless they deserved it). I like to think that I continued the tradition. I am not a "certified" mechanic and don't have all the fancy equipment that is needed these days. But this guy looks like he charges the same as a dealer would! Newer vehicles require more expert care. But I have found that some auto parts stores will diagnose some things for free. If the "Check/Service Engine" light was on, then you could have taken it to the parts store and they might have been able to tell u the problem. But I do agree with you, prices are going up and sometimes the quality of the work goes down. I just hope they fixed the problem correctly. "reboot" <reboot@nothere.com> wrote in message news:msime3dt173icbmb0b5keim00ruoj2gd07@4ax.com... > bought a '99 TJ 4.0 last spring, have a daughter driving it, 67k miles > > other than maintenance and a radio, i haven't had to spend much on > repairs. > > daughter comes home tuesday night just before i leave on a business > trip, says the car is running rough, idles rough. runs under WOT but > not well at part throttle. > > so being a student of this group i'm thinking electrical connectors on > the CPS or TPS or MAP sensor ... easy to get to. open each up, spray > out w/ electronics cleaner, put a dab of dielectric grease on it and > put them back together. pull the TB, looks clean, shoot it w/ some > carb cleaner and blow it out. check the IAC and clean it out. the > jeep now starts fine, idles smooth, drive it and runs part throttle or > full throttle fine. tell daughter it should be OK, leave town. > > phone call next day while i'm out of town, sam ting happening. > > so i call up an independent mechanic shop i've used over the past > three years and arrange for daughter to drop it off. > > up until now this shop has been excellent, good work, reasonable > prices, no upselling etc. > > today the service writer tells me that the MAP senson was bad, the > Throttle Body needed cleaning. my wife authorized the repair whild i > was on the trip. > > oh ... btw - the shocks and steering damper are shot and the serp > belt needs replaceing. sheesh, glad i didn't tell him to look > anywhere else. and that my wife had sense not to authorize these > fixes. > > so i check out the price for the MAP sensor. Mopar retail is about > $108 and I can get it for about $90. call the service writer back and > ask him how he gets from $110 to $270 > > 1 hr. diagnostics $82.00 > MAP Sensor $110 > Labor for MAP Sensor 0.7 hr $57 > Labor for TB cleaning 0.25 hr $21 > > hooking up a scanner ... about what - 5 minutes? > > replacing a MAP sensor on a 4.0 about what - another 5 minutes > > so i called the shop owner and told him that his diagnostic charge is > out of line on a car like this, that his labor is out of line for this > particular repair and that if i ever get upsold again i'd be taking my > business elsewhere and that i absolutely won't let my wife or > daughters drop a car off and authorize a repair ever again. > > i don't think he gets it. > > thanks for letting me vent, should have told the kid to wait until i > got home. > > reboot > > > --- > avast! Antivirus: Outbound message clean. > Virus Database (VPS): 000774-6, 09/14/2007 > Tested on: 9/14/2007 11:28:08 PM > avast! - copyright (c) 1988-2007 ALWIL Software. > http://www.avast.com > > > |
Re: Independent Mechanics
I use to feel bad about charging $35 an hour for labor when I worked on
cars. Maybe u should have looked for a "shadetree" mechanic like me. In all the yrs my father and I worked on cars, we never overcharged anyone( unless they deserved it). I like to think that I continued the tradition. I am not a "certified" mechanic and don't have all the fancy equipment that is needed these days. But this guy looks like he charges the same as a dealer would! Newer vehicles require more expert care. But I have found that some auto parts stores will diagnose some things for free. If the "Check/Service Engine" light was on, then you could have taken it to the parts store and they might have been able to tell u the problem. But I do agree with you, prices are going up and sometimes the quality of the work goes down. I just hope they fixed the problem correctly. "reboot" <reboot@nothere.com> wrote in message news:msime3dt173icbmb0b5keim00ruoj2gd07@4ax.com... > bought a '99 TJ 4.0 last spring, have a daughter driving it, 67k miles > > other than maintenance and a radio, i haven't had to spend much on > repairs. > > daughter comes home tuesday night just before i leave on a business > trip, says the car is running rough, idles rough. runs under WOT but > not well at part throttle. > > so being a student of this group i'm thinking electrical connectors on > the CPS or TPS or MAP sensor ... easy to get to. open each up, spray > out w/ electronics cleaner, put a dab of dielectric grease on it and > put them back together. pull the TB, looks clean, shoot it w/ some > carb cleaner and blow it out. check the IAC and clean it out. the > jeep now starts fine, idles smooth, drive it and runs part throttle or > full throttle fine. tell daughter it should be OK, leave town. > > phone call next day while i'm out of town, sam ting happening. > > so i call up an independent mechanic shop i've used over the past > three years and arrange for daughter to drop it off. > > up until now this shop has been excellent, good work, reasonable > prices, no upselling etc. > > today the service writer tells me that the MAP senson was bad, the > Throttle Body needed cleaning. my wife authorized the repair whild i > was on the trip. > > oh ... btw - the shocks and steering damper are shot and the serp > belt needs replaceing. sheesh, glad i didn't tell him to look > anywhere else. and that my wife had sense not to authorize these > fixes. > > so i check out the price for the MAP sensor. Mopar retail is about > $108 and I can get it for about $90. call the service writer back and > ask him how he gets from $110 to $270 > > 1 hr. diagnostics $82.00 > MAP Sensor $110 > Labor for MAP Sensor 0.7 hr $57 > Labor for TB cleaning 0.25 hr $21 > > hooking up a scanner ... about what - 5 minutes? > > replacing a MAP sensor on a 4.0 about what - another 5 minutes > > so i called the shop owner and told him that his diagnostic charge is > out of line on a car like this, that his labor is out of line for this > particular repair and that if i ever get upsold again i'd be taking my > business elsewhere and that i absolutely won't let my wife or > daughters drop a car off and authorize a repair ever again. > > i don't think he gets it. > > thanks for letting me vent, should have told the kid to wait until i > got home. > > reboot > > > --- > avast! Antivirus: Outbound message clean. > Virus Database (VPS): 000774-6, 09/14/2007 > Tested on: 9/14/2007 11:28:08 PM > avast! - copyright (c) 1988-2007 ALWIL Software. > http://www.avast.com > > > |
Re: Independent Mechanics
I use to feel bad about charging $35 an hour for labor when I worked on
cars. Maybe u should have looked for a "shadetree" mechanic like me. In all the yrs my father and I worked on cars, we never overcharged anyone( unless they deserved it). I like to think that I continued the tradition. I am not a "certified" mechanic and don't have all the fancy equipment that is needed these days. But this guy looks like he charges the same as a dealer would! Newer vehicles require more expert care. But I have found that some auto parts stores will diagnose some things for free. If the "Check/Service Engine" light was on, then you could have taken it to the parts store and they might have been able to tell u the problem. But I do agree with you, prices are going up and sometimes the quality of the work goes down. I just hope they fixed the problem correctly. "reboot" <reboot@nothere.com> wrote in message news:msime3dt173icbmb0b5keim00ruoj2gd07@4ax.com... > bought a '99 TJ 4.0 last spring, have a daughter driving it, 67k miles > > other than maintenance and a radio, i haven't had to spend much on > repairs. > > daughter comes home tuesday night just before i leave on a business > trip, says the car is running rough, idles rough. runs under WOT but > not well at part throttle. > > so being a student of this group i'm thinking electrical connectors on > the CPS or TPS or MAP sensor ... easy to get to. open each up, spray > out w/ electronics cleaner, put a dab of dielectric grease on it and > put them back together. pull the TB, looks clean, shoot it w/ some > carb cleaner and blow it out. check the IAC and clean it out. the > jeep now starts fine, idles smooth, drive it and runs part throttle or > full throttle fine. tell daughter it should be OK, leave town. > > phone call next day while i'm out of town, sam ting happening. > > so i call up an independent mechanic shop i've used over the past > three years and arrange for daughter to drop it off. > > up until now this shop has been excellent, good work, reasonable > prices, no upselling etc. > > today the service writer tells me that the MAP senson was bad, the > Throttle Body needed cleaning. my wife authorized the repair whild i > was on the trip. > > oh ... btw - the shocks and steering damper are shot and the serp > belt needs replaceing. sheesh, glad i didn't tell him to look > anywhere else. and that my wife had sense not to authorize these > fixes. > > so i check out the price for the MAP sensor. Mopar retail is about > $108 and I can get it for about $90. call the service writer back and > ask him how he gets from $110 to $270 > > 1 hr. diagnostics $82.00 > MAP Sensor $110 > Labor for MAP Sensor 0.7 hr $57 > Labor for TB cleaning 0.25 hr $21 > > hooking up a scanner ... about what - 5 minutes? > > replacing a MAP sensor on a 4.0 about what - another 5 minutes > > so i called the shop owner and told him that his diagnostic charge is > out of line on a car like this, that his labor is out of line for this > particular repair and that if i ever get upsold again i'd be taking my > business elsewhere and that i absolutely won't let my wife or > daughters drop a car off and authorize a repair ever again. > > i don't think he gets it. > > thanks for letting me vent, should have told the kid to wait until i > got home. > > reboot > > > --- > avast! Antivirus: Outbound message clean. > Virus Database (VPS): 000774-6, 09/14/2007 > Tested on: 9/14/2007 11:28:08 PM > avast! - copyright (c) 1988-2007 ALWIL Software. > http://www.avast.com > > > |
Re: Independent Mechanics
I use to feel bad about charging $35 an hour for labor when I worked on
cars. Maybe u should have looked for a "shadetree" mechanic like me. In all the yrs my father and I worked on cars, we never overcharged anyone( unless they deserved it). I like to think that I continued the tradition. I am not a "certified" mechanic and don't have all the fancy equipment that is needed these days. But this guy looks like he charges the same as a dealer would! Newer vehicles require more expert care. But I have found that some auto parts stores will diagnose some things for free. If the "Check/Service Engine" light was on, then you could have taken it to the parts store and they might have been able to tell u the problem. But I do agree with you, prices are going up and sometimes the quality of the work goes down. I just hope they fixed the problem correctly. "reboot" <reboot@nothere.com> wrote in message news:msime3dt173icbmb0b5keim00ruoj2gd07@4ax.com... > bought a '99 TJ 4.0 last spring, have a daughter driving it, 67k miles > > other than maintenance and a radio, i haven't had to spend much on > repairs. > > daughter comes home tuesday night just before i leave on a business > trip, says the car is running rough, idles rough. runs under WOT but > not well at part throttle. > > so being a student of this group i'm thinking electrical connectors on > the CPS or TPS or MAP sensor ... easy to get to. open each up, spray > out w/ electronics cleaner, put a dab of dielectric grease on it and > put them back together. pull the TB, looks clean, shoot it w/ some > carb cleaner and blow it out. check the IAC and clean it out. the > jeep now starts fine, idles smooth, drive it and runs part throttle or > full throttle fine. tell daughter it should be OK, leave town. > > phone call next day while i'm out of town, sam ting happening. > > so i call up an independent mechanic shop i've used over the past > three years and arrange for daughter to drop it off. > > up until now this shop has been excellent, good work, reasonable > prices, no upselling etc. > > today the service writer tells me that the MAP senson was bad, the > Throttle Body needed cleaning. my wife authorized the repair whild i > was on the trip. > > oh ... btw - the shocks and steering damper are shot and the serp > belt needs replaceing. sheesh, glad i didn't tell him to look > anywhere else. and that my wife had sense not to authorize these > fixes. > > so i check out the price for the MAP sensor. Mopar retail is about > $108 and I can get it for about $90. call the service writer back and > ask him how he gets from $110 to $270 > > 1 hr. diagnostics $82.00 > MAP Sensor $110 > Labor for MAP Sensor 0.7 hr $57 > Labor for TB cleaning 0.25 hr $21 > > hooking up a scanner ... about what - 5 minutes? > > replacing a MAP sensor on a 4.0 about what - another 5 minutes > > so i called the shop owner and told him that his diagnostic charge is > out of line on a car like this, that his labor is out of line for this > particular repair and that if i ever get upsold again i'd be taking my > business elsewhere and that i absolutely won't let my wife or > daughters drop a car off and authorize a repair ever again. > > i don't think he gets it. > > thanks for letting me vent, should have told the kid to wait until i > got home. > > reboot > > > --- > avast! Antivirus: Outbound message clean. > Virus Database (VPS): 000774-6, 09/14/2007 > Tested on: 9/14/2007 11:28:08 PM > avast! - copyright (c) 1988-2007 ALWIL Software. > http://www.avast.com > > > |
Re: Independent Mechanics
I'm in Southeast MI, how about the name of the shop?
"reboot" <reboot@nothere.com> wrote in message news:msime3dt173icbmb0b5keim00ruoj2gd07@4ax.com... > bought a '99 TJ 4.0 last spring, have a daughter driving it, 67k miles > > other than maintenance and a radio, i haven't had to spend much on > repairs. > > daughter comes home tuesday night just before i leave on a business > trip, says the car is running rough, idles rough. runs under WOT but > not well at part throttle. > > so being a student of this group i'm thinking electrical connectors on > the CPS or TPS or MAP sensor ... easy to get to. open each up, spray > out w/ electronics cleaner, put a dab of dielectric grease on it and > put them back together. pull the TB, looks clean, shoot it w/ some > carb cleaner and blow it out. check the IAC and clean it out. the > jeep now starts fine, idles smooth, drive it and runs part throttle or > full throttle fine. tell daughter it should be OK, leave town. > > phone call next day while i'm out of town, sam ting happening. > > so i call up an independent mechanic shop i've used over the past > three years and arrange for daughter to drop it off. > > up until now this shop has been excellent, good work, reasonable > prices, no upselling etc. > > today the service writer tells me that the MAP senson was bad, the > Throttle Body needed cleaning. my wife authorized the repair whild i > was on the trip. > > oh ... btw - the shocks and steering damper are shot and the serp > belt needs replaceing. sheesh, glad i didn't tell him to look > anywhere else. and that my wife had sense not to authorize these > fixes. > > so i check out the price for the MAP sensor. Mopar retail is about > $108 and I can get it for about $90. call the service writer back and > ask him how he gets from $110 to $270 > > 1 hr. diagnostics $82.00 > MAP Sensor $110 > Labor for MAP Sensor 0.7 hr $57 > Labor for TB cleaning 0.25 hr $21 > > hooking up a scanner ... about what - 5 minutes? > > replacing a MAP sensor on a 4.0 about what - another 5 minutes > > so i called the shop owner and told him that his diagnostic charge is > out of line on a car like this, that his labor is out of line for this > particular repair and that if i ever get upsold again i'd be taking my > business elsewhere and that i absolutely won't let my wife or > daughters drop a car off and authorize a repair ever again. > > i don't think he gets it. > > thanks for letting me vent, should have told the kid to wait until i > got home. > > reboot > > > --- > avast! Antivirus: Outbound message clean. > Virus Database (VPS): 000774-6, 09/14/2007 > Tested on: 9/14/2007 11:28:08 PM > avast! - copyright (c) 1988-2007 ALWIL Software. > http://www.avast.com > > > |
Re: Independent Mechanics
I'm in Southeast MI, how about the name of the shop?
"reboot" <reboot@nothere.com> wrote in message news:msime3dt173icbmb0b5keim00ruoj2gd07@4ax.com... > bought a '99 TJ 4.0 last spring, have a daughter driving it, 67k miles > > other than maintenance and a radio, i haven't had to spend much on > repairs. > > daughter comes home tuesday night just before i leave on a business > trip, says the car is running rough, idles rough. runs under WOT but > not well at part throttle. > > so being a student of this group i'm thinking electrical connectors on > the CPS or TPS or MAP sensor ... easy to get to. open each up, spray > out w/ electronics cleaner, put a dab of dielectric grease on it and > put them back together. pull the TB, looks clean, shoot it w/ some > carb cleaner and blow it out. check the IAC and clean it out. the > jeep now starts fine, idles smooth, drive it and runs part throttle or > full throttle fine. tell daughter it should be OK, leave town. > > phone call next day while i'm out of town, sam ting happening. > > so i call up an independent mechanic shop i've used over the past > three years and arrange for daughter to drop it off. > > up until now this shop has been excellent, good work, reasonable > prices, no upselling etc. > > today the service writer tells me that the MAP senson was bad, the > Throttle Body needed cleaning. my wife authorized the repair whild i > was on the trip. > > oh ... btw - the shocks and steering damper are shot and the serp > belt needs replaceing. sheesh, glad i didn't tell him to look > anywhere else. and that my wife had sense not to authorize these > fixes. > > so i check out the price for the MAP sensor. Mopar retail is about > $108 and I can get it for about $90. call the service writer back and > ask him how he gets from $110 to $270 > > 1 hr. diagnostics $82.00 > MAP Sensor $110 > Labor for MAP Sensor 0.7 hr $57 > Labor for TB cleaning 0.25 hr $21 > > hooking up a scanner ... about what - 5 minutes? > > replacing a MAP sensor on a 4.0 about what - another 5 minutes > > so i called the shop owner and told him that his diagnostic charge is > out of line on a car like this, that his labor is out of line for this > particular repair and that if i ever get upsold again i'd be taking my > business elsewhere and that i absolutely won't let my wife or > daughters drop a car off and authorize a repair ever again. > > i don't think he gets it. > > thanks for letting me vent, should have told the kid to wait until i > got home. > > reboot > > > --- > avast! Antivirus: Outbound message clean. > Virus Database (VPS): 000774-6, 09/14/2007 > Tested on: 9/14/2007 11:28:08 PM > avast! - copyright (c) 1988-2007 ALWIL Software. > http://www.avast.com > > > |
Re: Independent Mechanics
I'm in Southeast MI, how about the name of the shop?
"reboot" <reboot@nothere.com> wrote in message news:msime3dt173icbmb0b5keim00ruoj2gd07@4ax.com... > bought a '99 TJ 4.0 last spring, have a daughter driving it, 67k miles > > other than maintenance and a radio, i haven't had to spend much on > repairs. > > daughter comes home tuesday night just before i leave on a business > trip, says the car is running rough, idles rough. runs under WOT but > not well at part throttle. > > so being a student of this group i'm thinking electrical connectors on > the CPS or TPS or MAP sensor ... easy to get to. open each up, spray > out w/ electronics cleaner, put a dab of dielectric grease on it and > put them back together. pull the TB, looks clean, shoot it w/ some > carb cleaner and blow it out. check the IAC and clean it out. the > jeep now starts fine, idles smooth, drive it and runs part throttle or > full throttle fine. tell daughter it should be OK, leave town. > > phone call next day while i'm out of town, sam ting happening. > > so i call up an independent mechanic shop i've used over the past > three years and arrange for daughter to drop it off. > > up until now this shop has been excellent, good work, reasonable > prices, no upselling etc. > > today the service writer tells me that the MAP senson was bad, the > Throttle Body needed cleaning. my wife authorized the repair whild i > was on the trip. > > oh ... btw - the shocks and steering damper are shot and the serp > belt needs replaceing. sheesh, glad i didn't tell him to look > anywhere else. and that my wife had sense not to authorize these > fixes. > > so i check out the price for the MAP sensor. Mopar retail is about > $108 and I can get it for about $90. call the service writer back and > ask him how he gets from $110 to $270 > > 1 hr. diagnostics $82.00 > MAP Sensor $110 > Labor for MAP Sensor 0.7 hr $57 > Labor for TB cleaning 0.25 hr $21 > > hooking up a scanner ... about what - 5 minutes? > > replacing a MAP sensor on a 4.0 about what - another 5 minutes > > so i called the shop owner and told him that his diagnostic charge is > out of line on a car like this, that his labor is out of line for this > particular repair and that if i ever get upsold again i'd be taking my > business elsewhere and that i absolutely won't let my wife or > daughters drop a car off and authorize a repair ever again. > > i don't think he gets it. > > thanks for letting me vent, should have told the kid to wait until i > got home. > > reboot > > > --- > avast! Antivirus: Outbound message clean. > Virus Database (VPS): 000774-6, 09/14/2007 > Tested on: 9/14/2007 11:28:08 PM > avast! - copyright (c) 1988-2007 ALWIL Software. > http://www.avast.com > > > |
Re: Independent Mechanics
I'm in Southeast MI, how about the name of the shop?
"reboot" <reboot@nothere.com> wrote in message news:msime3dt173icbmb0b5keim00ruoj2gd07@4ax.com... > bought a '99 TJ 4.0 last spring, have a daughter driving it, 67k miles > > other than maintenance and a radio, i haven't had to spend much on > repairs. > > daughter comes home tuesday night just before i leave on a business > trip, says the car is running rough, idles rough. runs under WOT but > not well at part throttle. > > so being a student of this group i'm thinking electrical connectors on > the CPS or TPS or MAP sensor ... easy to get to. open each up, spray > out w/ electronics cleaner, put a dab of dielectric grease on it and > put them back together. pull the TB, looks clean, shoot it w/ some > carb cleaner and blow it out. check the IAC and clean it out. the > jeep now starts fine, idles smooth, drive it and runs part throttle or > full throttle fine. tell daughter it should be OK, leave town. > > phone call next day while i'm out of town, sam ting happening. > > so i call up an independent mechanic shop i've used over the past > three years and arrange for daughter to drop it off. > > up until now this shop has been excellent, good work, reasonable > prices, no upselling etc. > > today the service writer tells me that the MAP senson was bad, the > Throttle Body needed cleaning. my wife authorized the repair whild i > was on the trip. > > oh ... btw - the shocks and steering damper are shot and the serp > belt needs replaceing. sheesh, glad i didn't tell him to look > anywhere else. and that my wife had sense not to authorize these > fixes. > > so i check out the price for the MAP sensor. Mopar retail is about > $108 and I can get it for about $90. call the service writer back and > ask him how he gets from $110 to $270 > > 1 hr. diagnostics $82.00 > MAP Sensor $110 > Labor for MAP Sensor 0.7 hr $57 > Labor for TB cleaning 0.25 hr $21 > > hooking up a scanner ... about what - 5 minutes? > > replacing a MAP sensor on a 4.0 about what - another 5 minutes > > so i called the shop owner and told him that his diagnostic charge is > out of line on a car like this, that his labor is out of line for this > particular repair and that if i ever get upsold again i'd be taking my > business elsewhere and that i absolutely won't let my wife or > daughters drop a car off and authorize a repair ever again. > > i don't think he gets it. > > thanks for letting me vent, should have told the kid to wait until i > got home. > > reboot > > > --- > avast! Antivirus: Outbound message clean. > Virus Database (VPS): 000774-6, 09/14/2007 > Tested on: 9/14/2007 11:28:08 PM > avast! - copyright (c) 1988-2007 ALWIL Software. > http://www.avast.com > > > |
Re: Independent Mechanics
"reboot" <reboot@nothere.com> wrote in message news:msime3dt173icbmb0b5keim00ruoj2gd07@4ax.com... > bought a '99 TJ 4.0 last spring, have a daughter driving it, 67k miles > > other than maintenance and a radio, i haven't had to spend much on > repairs. > > daughter comes home tuesday night just before i leave on a business > trip, says the car is running rough, idles rough. runs under WOT but > not well at part throttle. > > so being a student of this group i'm thinking electrical connectors on > the CPS or TPS or MAP sensor ... easy to get to. open each up, spray > out w/ electronics cleaner, put a dab of dielectric grease on it and > put them back together. pull the TB, looks clean, shoot it w/ some > carb cleaner and blow it out. check the IAC and clean it out. the > jeep now starts fine, idles smooth, drive it and runs part throttle or > full throttle fine. tell daughter it should be OK, leave town. > > phone call next day while i'm out of town, sam ting happening. > > so i call up an independent mechanic shop i've used over the past > three years and arrange for daughter to drop it off. > > up until now this shop has been excellent, good work, reasonable > prices, no upselling etc. > > today the service writer tells me that the MAP senson was bad, the > Throttle Body needed cleaning. my wife authorized the repair whild i > was on the trip. > > oh ... btw - the shocks and steering damper are shot and the serp > belt needs replaceing. sheesh, glad i didn't tell him to look > anywhere else. and that my wife had sense not to authorize these > fixes. > > so i check out the price for the MAP sensor. Mopar retail is about > $108 and I can get it for about $90. call the service writer back and > ask him how he gets from $110 to $270 > > 1 hr. diagnostics $82.00 > MAP Sensor $110 > Labor for MAP Sensor 0.7 hr $57 > Labor for TB cleaning 0.25 hr $21 > > hooking up a scanner ... about what - 5 minutes? > > replacing a MAP sensor on a 4.0 about what - another 5 minutes > > so i called the shop owner and told him that his diagnostic charge is > out of line on a car like this, that his labor is out of line for this > particular repair and that if i ever get upsold again i'd be taking my > business elsewhere and that i absolutely won't let my wife or > daughters drop a car off and authorize a repair ever again. > > i don't think he gets it. > > thanks for letting me vent, should have told the kid to wait until i > got home. > > reboot > > > --- > avast! Antivirus: Outbound message clean. > Virus Database (VPS): 000774-6, 09/14/2007 > Tested on: 9/14/2007 11:28:08 PM > avast! - copyright (c) 1988-2007 ALWIL Software. > http://www.avast.com > > > Just a question on the "upsold" comment. If he hadn't told your daughter or wife about the worn serpentine belt, and she left with it later breaking, and stranding her somewhere, or worse causing an accident from lack of power steering, would you have been mad at the garage for not telling you it had a worn serpentine belt? Due to the latest MAP guidelines, most places are obligated to tell of what they find, it is up to the customer to make a (n) (informed) decision. Spdloader |
Re: Independent Mechanics
"reboot" <reboot@nothere.com> wrote in message news:msime3dt173icbmb0b5keim00ruoj2gd07@4ax.com... > bought a '99 TJ 4.0 last spring, have a daughter driving it, 67k miles > > other than maintenance and a radio, i haven't had to spend much on > repairs. > > daughter comes home tuesday night just before i leave on a business > trip, says the car is running rough, idles rough. runs under WOT but > not well at part throttle. > > so being a student of this group i'm thinking electrical connectors on > the CPS or TPS or MAP sensor ... easy to get to. open each up, spray > out w/ electronics cleaner, put a dab of dielectric grease on it and > put them back together. pull the TB, looks clean, shoot it w/ some > carb cleaner and blow it out. check the IAC and clean it out. the > jeep now starts fine, idles smooth, drive it and runs part throttle or > full throttle fine. tell daughter it should be OK, leave town. > > phone call next day while i'm out of town, sam ting happening. > > so i call up an independent mechanic shop i've used over the past > three years and arrange for daughter to drop it off. > > up until now this shop has been excellent, good work, reasonable > prices, no upselling etc. > > today the service writer tells me that the MAP senson was bad, the > Throttle Body needed cleaning. my wife authorized the repair whild i > was on the trip. > > oh ... btw - the shocks and steering damper are shot and the serp > belt needs replaceing. sheesh, glad i didn't tell him to look > anywhere else. and that my wife had sense not to authorize these > fixes. > > so i check out the price for the MAP sensor. Mopar retail is about > $108 and I can get it for about $90. call the service writer back and > ask him how he gets from $110 to $270 > > 1 hr. diagnostics $82.00 > MAP Sensor $110 > Labor for MAP Sensor 0.7 hr $57 > Labor for TB cleaning 0.25 hr $21 > > hooking up a scanner ... about what - 5 minutes? > > replacing a MAP sensor on a 4.0 about what - another 5 minutes > > so i called the shop owner and told him that his diagnostic charge is > out of line on a car like this, that his labor is out of line for this > particular repair and that if i ever get upsold again i'd be taking my > business elsewhere and that i absolutely won't let my wife or > daughters drop a car off and authorize a repair ever again. > > i don't think he gets it. > > thanks for letting me vent, should have told the kid to wait until i > got home. > > reboot > > > --- > avast! Antivirus: Outbound message clean. > Virus Database (VPS): 000774-6, 09/14/2007 > Tested on: 9/14/2007 11:28:08 PM > avast! - copyright (c) 1988-2007 ALWIL Software. > http://www.avast.com > > > Just a question on the "upsold" comment. If he hadn't told your daughter or wife about the worn serpentine belt, and she left with it later breaking, and stranding her somewhere, or worse causing an accident from lack of power steering, would you have been mad at the garage for not telling you it had a worn serpentine belt? Due to the latest MAP guidelines, most places are obligated to tell of what they find, it is up to the customer to make a (n) (informed) decision. Spdloader |
Re: Independent Mechanics
"reboot" <reboot@nothere.com> wrote in message news:msime3dt173icbmb0b5keim00ruoj2gd07@4ax.com... > bought a '99 TJ 4.0 last spring, have a daughter driving it, 67k miles > > other than maintenance and a radio, i haven't had to spend much on > repairs. > > daughter comes home tuesday night just before i leave on a business > trip, says the car is running rough, idles rough. runs under WOT but > not well at part throttle. > > so being a student of this group i'm thinking electrical connectors on > the CPS or TPS or MAP sensor ... easy to get to. open each up, spray > out w/ electronics cleaner, put a dab of dielectric grease on it and > put them back together. pull the TB, looks clean, shoot it w/ some > carb cleaner and blow it out. check the IAC and clean it out. the > jeep now starts fine, idles smooth, drive it and runs part throttle or > full throttle fine. tell daughter it should be OK, leave town. > > phone call next day while i'm out of town, sam ting happening. > > so i call up an independent mechanic shop i've used over the past > three years and arrange for daughter to drop it off. > > up until now this shop has been excellent, good work, reasonable > prices, no upselling etc. > > today the service writer tells me that the MAP senson was bad, the > Throttle Body needed cleaning. my wife authorized the repair whild i > was on the trip. > > oh ... btw - the shocks and steering damper are shot and the serp > belt needs replaceing. sheesh, glad i didn't tell him to look > anywhere else. and that my wife had sense not to authorize these > fixes. > > so i check out the price for the MAP sensor. Mopar retail is about > $108 and I can get it for about $90. call the service writer back and > ask him how he gets from $110 to $270 > > 1 hr. diagnostics $82.00 > MAP Sensor $110 > Labor for MAP Sensor 0.7 hr $57 > Labor for TB cleaning 0.25 hr $21 > > hooking up a scanner ... about what - 5 minutes? > > replacing a MAP sensor on a 4.0 about what - another 5 minutes > > so i called the shop owner and told him that his diagnostic charge is > out of line on a car like this, that his labor is out of line for this > particular repair and that if i ever get upsold again i'd be taking my > business elsewhere and that i absolutely won't let my wife or > daughters drop a car off and authorize a repair ever again. > > i don't think he gets it. > > thanks for letting me vent, should have told the kid to wait until i > got home. > > reboot > > > --- > avast! Antivirus: Outbound message clean. > Virus Database (VPS): 000774-6, 09/14/2007 > Tested on: 9/14/2007 11:28:08 PM > avast! - copyright (c) 1988-2007 ALWIL Software. > http://www.avast.com > > > Just a question on the "upsold" comment. If he hadn't told your daughter or wife about the worn serpentine belt, and she left with it later breaking, and stranding her somewhere, or worse causing an accident from lack of power steering, would you have been mad at the garage for not telling you it had a worn serpentine belt? Due to the latest MAP guidelines, most places are obligated to tell of what they find, it is up to the customer to make a (n) (informed) decision. Spdloader |
Re: Independent Mechanics
"reboot" <reboot@nothere.com> wrote in message news:msime3dt173icbmb0b5keim00ruoj2gd07@4ax.com... > bought a '99 TJ 4.0 last spring, have a daughter driving it, 67k miles > > other than maintenance and a radio, i haven't had to spend much on > repairs. > > daughter comes home tuesday night just before i leave on a business > trip, says the car is running rough, idles rough. runs under WOT but > not well at part throttle. > > so being a student of this group i'm thinking electrical connectors on > the CPS or TPS or MAP sensor ... easy to get to. open each up, spray > out w/ electronics cleaner, put a dab of dielectric grease on it and > put them back together. pull the TB, looks clean, shoot it w/ some > carb cleaner and blow it out. check the IAC and clean it out. the > jeep now starts fine, idles smooth, drive it and runs part throttle or > full throttle fine. tell daughter it should be OK, leave town. > > phone call next day while i'm out of town, sam ting happening. > > so i call up an independent mechanic shop i've used over the past > three years and arrange for daughter to drop it off. > > up until now this shop has been excellent, good work, reasonable > prices, no upselling etc. > > today the service writer tells me that the MAP senson was bad, the > Throttle Body needed cleaning. my wife authorized the repair whild i > was on the trip. > > oh ... btw - the shocks and steering damper are shot and the serp > belt needs replaceing. sheesh, glad i didn't tell him to look > anywhere else. and that my wife had sense not to authorize these > fixes. > > so i check out the price for the MAP sensor. Mopar retail is about > $108 and I can get it for about $90. call the service writer back and > ask him how he gets from $110 to $270 > > 1 hr. diagnostics $82.00 > MAP Sensor $110 > Labor for MAP Sensor 0.7 hr $57 > Labor for TB cleaning 0.25 hr $21 > > hooking up a scanner ... about what - 5 minutes? > > replacing a MAP sensor on a 4.0 about what - another 5 minutes > > so i called the shop owner and told him that his diagnostic charge is > out of line on a car like this, that his labor is out of line for this > particular repair and that if i ever get upsold again i'd be taking my > business elsewhere and that i absolutely won't let my wife or > daughters drop a car off and authorize a repair ever again. > > i don't think he gets it. > > thanks for letting me vent, should have told the kid to wait until i > got home. > > reboot > > > --- > avast! Antivirus: Outbound message clean. > Virus Database (VPS): 000774-6, 09/14/2007 > Tested on: 9/14/2007 11:28:08 PM > avast! - copyright (c) 1988-2007 ALWIL Software. > http://www.avast.com > > > Just a question on the "upsold" comment. If he hadn't told your daughter or wife about the worn serpentine belt, and she left with it later breaking, and stranding her somewhere, or worse causing an accident from lack of power steering, would you have been mad at the garage for not telling you it had a worn serpentine belt? Due to the latest MAP guidelines, most places are obligated to tell of what they find, it is up to the customer to make a (n) (informed) decision. Spdloader |
Re: Independent Mechanics
reboot wrote:
> 1 hr. diagnostics $82.00 > MAP Sensor $110 > Labor for MAP Sensor 0.7 hr $57 > Labor for TB cleaning 0.25 hr $21 > > hooking up a scanner ... about what - 5 minutes? > > replacing a MAP sensor on a 4.0 about what - another 5 minutes Your looking at "standard labor rates" or "book" that almost all places use to determine labor costs. Yes, it's more than what it should take to do the job, but includes prep, install, cleanup, rework, etc. The mechanic can make more or less depending on how good/quick they are. Not disagreeing with you on the cost, just clarifying where it comes from. Thing is, most places I go take the diagnostics off the bill when you get the work done there. -- DougW |
Re: Independent Mechanics
reboot wrote:
> 1 hr. diagnostics $82.00 > MAP Sensor $110 > Labor for MAP Sensor 0.7 hr $57 > Labor for TB cleaning 0.25 hr $21 > > hooking up a scanner ... about what - 5 minutes? > > replacing a MAP sensor on a 4.0 about what - another 5 minutes Your looking at "standard labor rates" or "book" that almost all places use to determine labor costs. Yes, it's more than what it should take to do the job, but includes prep, install, cleanup, rework, etc. The mechanic can make more or less depending on how good/quick they are. Not disagreeing with you on the cost, just clarifying where it comes from. Thing is, most places I go take the diagnostics off the bill when you get the work done there. -- DougW |
Re: Independent Mechanics
reboot wrote:
> 1 hr. diagnostics $82.00 > MAP Sensor $110 > Labor for MAP Sensor 0.7 hr $57 > Labor for TB cleaning 0.25 hr $21 > > hooking up a scanner ... about what - 5 minutes? > > replacing a MAP sensor on a 4.0 about what - another 5 minutes Your looking at "standard labor rates" or "book" that almost all places use to determine labor costs. Yes, it's more than what it should take to do the job, but includes prep, install, cleanup, rework, etc. The mechanic can make more or less depending on how good/quick they are. Not disagreeing with you on the cost, just clarifying where it comes from. Thing is, most places I go take the diagnostics off the bill when you get the work done there. -- DougW |
Re: Independent Mechanics
reboot wrote:
> 1 hr. diagnostics $82.00 > MAP Sensor $110 > Labor for MAP Sensor 0.7 hr $57 > Labor for TB cleaning 0.25 hr $21 > > hooking up a scanner ... about what - 5 minutes? > > replacing a MAP sensor on a 4.0 about what - another 5 minutes Your looking at "standard labor rates" or "book" that almost all places use to determine labor costs. Yes, it's more than what it should take to do the job, but includes prep, install, cleanup, rework, etc. The mechanic can make more or less depending on how good/quick they are. Not disagreeing with you on the cost, just clarifying where it comes from. Thing is, most places I go take the diagnostics off the bill when you get the work done there. -- DougW |
Re: Independent Mechanics
On Fri, 14 Sep 2007 23:28:06 -0400, reboot <reboot@nothere.com> wrote:
>bought a '99 TJ 4.0 last spring, have a daughter driving it, 67k miles > >other than maintenance and a radio, i haven't had to spend much on >repairs. > >daughter comes home tuesday night just before i leave on a business >trip, says the car is running rough, idles rough. runs under WOT but >not well at part throttle. > >so being a student of this group i'm thinking electrical connectors on >the CPS or TPS or MAP sensor ... easy to get to. open each up, spray >out w/ electronics cleaner, put a dab of dielectric grease on it and >put them back together. pull the TB, looks clean, shoot it w/ some >carb cleaner and blow it out. check the IAC and clean it out. the >jeep now starts fine, idles smooth, drive it and runs part throttle or >full throttle fine. tell daughter it should be OK, leave town. > >phone call next day while i'm out of town, sam ting happening. > >so i call up an independent mechanic shop i've used over the past >three years and arrange for daughter to drop it off. > >up until now this shop has been excellent, good work, reasonable >prices, no upselling etc. > >today the service writer tells me that the MAP senson was bad, the >Throttle Body needed cleaning. my wife authorized the repair whild i >was on the trip. > >oh ... btw - the shocks and steering damper are shot and the serp >belt needs replaceing. sheesh, glad i didn't tell him to look >anywhere else. and that my wife had sense not to authorize these >fixes. > >so i check out the price for the MAP sensor. Mopar retail is about >$108 and I can get it for about $90. call the service writer back and >ask him how he gets from $110 to $270 > >1 hr. diagnostics $82.00 >MAP Sensor $110 >Labor for MAP Sensor 0.7 hr $57 >Labor for TB cleaning 0.25 hr $21 > >hooking up a scanner ... about what - 5 minutes? > >replacing a MAP sensor on a 4.0 about what - another 5 minutes > >so i called the shop owner and told him that his diagnostic charge is >out of line on a car like this, that his labor is out of line for this >particular repair and that if i ever get upsold again i'd be taking my >business elsewhere and that i absolutely won't let my wife or >daughters drop a car off and authorize a repair ever again. > >i don't think he gets it. > >thanks for letting me vent, should have told the kid to wait until i >got home. Or you should have diagnosed and repaired it properly the first time. > >reboot > > >--- >avast! Antivirus: Outbound message clean. >Virus Database (VPS): 000774-6, 09/14/2007 >Tested on: 9/14/2007 11:28:08 PM >avast! - copyright (c) 1988-2007 ALWIL Software. >http://www.avast.com > > |
Re: Independent Mechanics
On Fri, 14 Sep 2007 23:28:06 -0400, reboot <reboot@nothere.com> wrote:
>bought a '99 TJ 4.0 last spring, have a daughter driving it, 67k miles > >other than maintenance and a radio, i haven't had to spend much on >repairs. > >daughter comes home tuesday night just before i leave on a business >trip, says the car is running rough, idles rough. runs under WOT but >not well at part throttle. > >so being a student of this group i'm thinking electrical connectors on >the CPS or TPS or MAP sensor ... easy to get to. open each up, spray >out w/ electronics cleaner, put a dab of dielectric grease on it and >put them back together. pull the TB, looks clean, shoot it w/ some >carb cleaner and blow it out. check the IAC and clean it out. the >jeep now starts fine, idles smooth, drive it and runs part throttle or >full throttle fine. tell daughter it should be OK, leave town. > >phone call next day while i'm out of town, sam ting happening. > >so i call up an independent mechanic shop i've used over the past >three years and arrange for daughter to drop it off. > >up until now this shop has been excellent, good work, reasonable >prices, no upselling etc. > >today the service writer tells me that the MAP senson was bad, the >Throttle Body needed cleaning. my wife authorized the repair whild i >was on the trip. > >oh ... btw - the shocks and steering damper are shot and the serp >belt needs replaceing. sheesh, glad i didn't tell him to look >anywhere else. and that my wife had sense not to authorize these >fixes. > >so i check out the price for the MAP sensor. Mopar retail is about >$108 and I can get it for about $90. call the service writer back and >ask him how he gets from $110 to $270 > >1 hr. diagnostics $82.00 >MAP Sensor $110 >Labor for MAP Sensor 0.7 hr $57 >Labor for TB cleaning 0.25 hr $21 > >hooking up a scanner ... about what - 5 minutes? > >replacing a MAP sensor on a 4.0 about what - another 5 minutes > >so i called the shop owner and told him that his diagnostic charge is >out of line on a car like this, that his labor is out of line for this >particular repair and that if i ever get upsold again i'd be taking my >business elsewhere and that i absolutely won't let my wife or >daughters drop a car off and authorize a repair ever again. > >i don't think he gets it. > >thanks for letting me vent, should have told the kid to wait until i >got home. Or you should have diagnosed and repaired it properly the first time. > >reboot > > >--- >avast! Antivirus: Outbound message clean. >Virus Database (VPS): 000774-6, 09/14/2007 >Tested on: 9/14/2007 11:28:08 PM >avast! - copyright (c) 1988-2007 ALWIL Software. >http://www.avast.com > > |
Re: Independent Mechanics
On Fri, 14 Sep 2007 23:28:06 -0400, reboot <reboot@nothere.com> wrote:
>bought a '99 TJ 4.0 last spring, have a daughter driving it, 67k miles > >other than maintenance and a radio, i haven't had to spend much on >repairs. > >daughter comes home tuesday night just before i leave on a business >trip, says the car is running rough, idles rough. runs under WOT but >not well at part throttle. > >so being a student of this group i'm thinking electrical connectors on >the CPS or TPS or MAP sensor ... easy to get to. open each up, spray >out w/ electronics cleaner, put a dab of dielectric grease on it and >put them back together. pull the TB, looks clean, shoot it w/ some >carb cleaner and blow it out. check the IAC and clean it out. the >jeep now starts fine, idles smooth, drive it and runs part throttle or >full throttle fine. tell daughter it should be OK, leave town. > >phone call next day while i'm out of town, sam ting happening. > >so i call up an independent mechanic shop i've used over the past >three years and arrange for daughter to drop it off. > >up until now this shop has been excellent, good work, reasonable >prices, no upselling etc. > >today the service writer tells me that the MAP senson was bad, the >Throttle Body needed cleaning. my wife authorized the repair whild i >was on the trip. > >oh ... btw - the shocks and steering damper are shot and the serp >belt needs replaceing. sheesh, glad i didn't tell him to look >anywhere else. and that my wife had sense not to authorize these >fixes. > >so i check out the price for the MAP sensor. Mopar retail is about >$108 and I can get it for about $90. call the service writer back and >ask him how he gets from $110 to $270 > >1 hr. diagnostics $82.00 >MAP Sensor $110 >Labor for MAP Sensor 0.7 hr $57 >Labor for TB cleaning 0.25 hr $21 > >hooking up a scanner ... about what - 5 minutes? > >replacing a MAP sensor on a 4.0 about what - another 5 minutes > >so i called the shop owner and told him that his diagnostic charge is >out of line on a car like this, that his labor is out of line for this >particular repair and that if i ever get upsold again i'd be taking my >business elsewhere and that i absolutely won't let my wife or >daughters drop a car off and authorize a repair ever again. > >i don't think he gets it. > >thanks for letting me vent, should have told the kid to wait until i >got home. Or you should have diagnosed and repaired it properly the first time. > >reboot > > >--- >avast! Antivirus: Outbound message clean. >Virus Database (VPS): 000774-6, 09/14/2007 >Tested on: 9/14/2007 11:28:08 PM >avast! - copyright (c) 1988-2007 ALWIL Software. >http://www.avast.com > > |
Re: Independent Mechanics
On Fri, 14 Sep 2007 23:28:06 -0400, reboot <reboot@nothere.com> wrote:
>bought a '99 TJ 4.0 last spring, have a daughter driving it, 67k miles > >other than maintenance and a radio, i haven't had to spend much on >repairs. > >daughter comes home tuesday night just before i leave on a business >trip, says the car is running rough, idles rough. runs under WOT but >not well at part throttle. > >so being a student of this group i'm thinking electrical connectors on >the CPS or TPS or MAP sensor ... easy to get to. open each up, spray >out w/ electronics cleaner, put a dab of dielectric grease on it and >put them back together. pull the TB, looks clean, shoot it w/ some >carb cleaner and blow it out. check the IAC and clean it out. the >jeep now starts fine, idles smooth, drive it and runs part throttle or >full throttle fine. tell daughter it should be OK, leave town. > >phone call next day while i'm out of town, sam ting happening. > >so i call up an independent mechanic shop i've used over the past >three years and arrange for daughter to drop it off. > >up until now this shop has been excellent, good work, reasonable >prices, no upselling etc. > >today the service writer tells me that the MAP senson was bad, the >Throttle Body needed cleaning. my wife authorized the repair whild i >was on the trip. > >oh ... btw - the shocks and steering damper are shot and the serp >belt needs replaceing. sheesh, glad i didn't tell him to look >anywhere else. and that my wife had sense not to authorize these >fixes. > >so i check out the price for the MAP sensor. Mopar retail is about >$108 and I can get it for about $90. call the service writer back and >ask him how he gets from $110 to $270 > >1 hr. diagnostics $82.00 >MAP Sensor $110 >Labor for MAP Sensor 0.7 hr $57 >Labor for TB cleaning 0.25 hr $21 > >hooking up a scanner ... about what - 5 minutes? > >replacing a MAP sensor on a 4.0 about what - another 5 minutes > >so i called the shop owner and told him that his diagnostic charge is >out of line on a car like this, that his labor is out of line for this >particular repair and that if i ever get upsold again i'd be taking my >business elsewhere and that i absolutely won't let my wife or >daughters drop a car off and authorize a repair ever again. > >i don't think he gets it. > >thanks for letting me vent, should have told the kid to wait until i >got home. Or you should have diagnosed and repaired it properly the first time. > >reboot > > >--- >avast! Antivirus: Outbound message clean. >Virus Database (VPS): 000774-6, 09/14/2007 >Tested on: 9/14/2007 11:28:08 PM >avast! - copyright (c) 1988-2007 ALWIL Software. >http://www.avast.com > > |
Re: Independent Mechanics
From what I've seen, those are pretty standard prices for a competent
independent shop, would me higher at the dealer. I tend to use these folks as a last resort when I can't diagnose things myself. reboot wrote: > bought a '99 TJ 4.0 last spring, have a daughter driving it, 67k miles > > other than maintenance and a radio, i haven't had to spend much on > repairs. > > daughter comes home tuesday night just before i leave on a business > trip, says the car is running rough, idles rough. runs under WOT but > not well at part throttle. > > so being a student of this group i'm thinking electrical connectors on > the CPS or TPS or MAP sensor ... easy to get to. open each up, spray > out w/ electronics cleaner, put a dab of dielectric grease on it and > put them back together. pull the TB, looks clean, shoot it w/ some > carb cleaner and blow it out. check the IAC and clean it out. the > jeep now starts fine, idles smooth, drive it and runs part throttle or > full throttle fine. tell daughter it should be OK, leave town. > > phone call next day while i'm out of town, sam ting happening. > > so i call up an independent mechanic shop i've used over the past > three years and arrange for daughter to drop it off. > > up until now this shop has been excellent, good work, reasonable > prices, no upselling etc. > > today the service writer tells me that the MAP senson was bad, the > Throttle Body needed cleaning. my wife authorized the repair whild i > was on the trip. > > oh ... btw - the shocks and steering damper are shot and the serp > belt needs replaceing. sheesh, glad i didn't tell him to look > anywhere else. and that my wife had sense not to authorize these > fixes. > > so i check out the price for the MAP sensor. Mopar retail is about > $108 and I can get it for about $90. call the service writer back and > ask him how he gets from $110 to $270 > > 1 hr. diagnostics $82.00 > MAP Sensor $110 > Labor for MAP Sensor 0.7 hr $57 > Labor for TB cleaning 0.25 hr $21 > > hooking up a scanner ... about what - 5 minutes? > > replacing a MAP sensor on a 4.0 about what - another 5 minutes > > so i called the shop owner and told him that his diagnostic charge is > out of line on a car like this, that his labor is out of line for this > particular repair and that if i ever get upsold again i'd be taking my > business elsewhere and that i absolutely won't let my wife or > daughters drop a car off and authorize a repair ever again. > > i don't think he gets it. > > thanks for letting me vent, should have told the kid to wait until i > got home. > > reboot > > > --- > avast! Antivirus: Outbound message clean. > Virus Database (VPS): 000774-6, 09/14/2007 > Tested on: 9/14/2007 11:28:08 PM > avast! - copyright (c) 1988-2007 ALWIL Software. > http://www.avast.com > > > |
Re: Independent Mechanics
From what I've seen, those are pretty standard prices for a competent
independent shop, would me higher at the dealer. I tend to use these folks as a last resort when I can't diagnose things myself. reboot wrote: > bought a '99 TJ 4.0 last spring, have a daughter driving it, 67k miles > > other than maintenance and a radio, i haven't had to spend much on > repairs. > > daughter comes home tuesday night just before i leave on a business > trip, says the car is running rough, idles rough. runs under WOT but > not well at part throttle. > > so being a student of this group i'm thinking electrical connectors on > the CPS or TPS or MAP sensor ... easy to get to. open each up, spray > out w/ electronics cleaner, put a dab of dielectric grease on it and > put them back together. pull the TB, looks clean, shoot it w/ some > carb cleaner and blow it out. check the IAC and clean it out. the > jeep now starts fine, idles smooth, drive it and runs part throttle or > full throttle fine. tell daughter it should be OK, leave town. > > phone call next day while i'm out of town, sam ting happening. > > so i call up an independent mechanic shop i've used over the past > three years and arrange for daughter to drop it off. > > up until now this shop has been excellent, good work, reasonable > prices, no upselling etc. > > today the service writer tells me that the MAP senson was bad, the > Throttle Body needed cleaning. my wife authorized the repair whild i > was on the trip. > > oh ... btw - the shocks and steering damper are shot and the serp > belt needs replaceing. sheesh, glad i didn't tell him to look > anywhere else. and that my wife had sense not to authorize these > fixes. > > so i check out the price for the MAP sensor. Mopar retail is about > $108 and I can get it for about $90. call the service writer back and > ask him how he gets from $110 to $270 > > 1 hr. diagnostics $82.00 > MAP Sensor $110 > Labor for MAP Sensor 0.7 hr $57 > Labor for TB cleaning 0.25 hr $21 > > hooking up a scanner ... about what - 5 minutes? > > replacing a MAP sensor on a 4.0 about what - another 5 minutes > > so i called the shop owner and told him that his diagnostic charge is > out of line on a car like this, that his labor is out of line for this > particular repair and that if i ever get upsold again i'd be taking my > business elsewhere and that i absolutely won't let my wife or > daughters drop a car off and authorize a repair ever again. > > i don't think he gets it. > > thanks for letting me vent, should have told the kid to wait until i > got home. > > reboot > > > --- > avast! Antivirus: Outbound message clean. > Virus Database (VPS): 000774-6, 09/14/2007 > Tested on: 9/14/2007 11:28:08 PM > avast! - copyright (c) 1988-2007 ALWIL Software. > http://www.avast.com > > > |
Re: Independent Mechanics
From what I've seen, those are pretty standard prices for a competent
independent shop, would me higher at the dealer. I tend to use these folks as a last resort when I can't diagnose things myself. reboot wrote: > bought a '99 TJ 4.0 last spring, have a daughter driving it, 67k miles > > other than maintenance and a radio, i haven't had to spend much on > repairs. > > daughter comes home tuesday night just before i leave on a business > trip, says the car is running rough, idles rough. runs under WOT but > not well at part throttle. > > so being a student of this group i'm thinking electrical connectors on > the CPS or TPS or MAP sensor ... easy to get to. open each up, spray > out w/ electronics cleaner, put a dab of dielectric grease on it and > put them back together. pull the TB, looks clean, shoot it w/ some > carb cleaner and blow it out. check the IAC and clean it out. the > jeep now starts fine, idles smooth, drive it and runs part throttle or > full throttle fine. tell daughter it should be OK, leave town. > > phone call next day while i'm out of town, sam ting happening. > > so i call up an independent mechanic shop i've used over the past > three years and arrange for daughter to drop it off. > > up until now this shop has been excellent, good work, reasonable > prices, no upselling etc. > > today the service writer tells me that the MAP senson was bad, the > Throttle Body needed cleaning. my wife authorized the repair whild i > was on the trip. > > oh ... btw - the shocks and steering damper are shot and the serp > belt needs replaceing. sheesh, glad i didn't tell him to look > anywhere else. and that my wife had sense not to authorize these > fixes. > > so i check out the price for the MAP sensor. Mopar retail is about > $108 and I can get it for about $90. call the service writer back and > ask him how he gets from $110 to $270 > > 1 hr. diagnostics $82.00 > MAP Sensor $110 > Labor for MAP Sensor 0.7 hr $57 > Labor for TB cleaning 0.25 hr $21 > > hooking up a scanner ... about what - 5 minutes? > > replacing a MAP sensor on a 4.0 about what - another 5 minutes > > so i called the shop owner and told him that his diagnostic charge is > out of line on a car like this, that his labor is out of line for this > particular repair and that if i ever get upsold again i'd be taking my > business elsewhere and that i absolutely won't let my wife or > daughters drop a car off and authorize a repair ever again. > > i don't think he gets it. > > thanks for letting me vent, should have told the kid to wait until i > got home. > > reboot > > > --- > avast! Antivirus: Outbound message clean. > Virus Database (VPS): 000774-6, 09/14/2007 > Tested on: 9/14/2007 11:28:08 PM > avast! - copyright (c) 1988-2007 ALWIL Software. > http://www.avast.com > > > |
Re: Independent Mechanics
From what I've seen, those are pretty standard prices for a competent
independent shop, would me higher at the dealer. I tend to use these folks as a last resort when I can't diagnose things myself. reboot wrote: > bought a '99 TJ 4.0 last spring, have a daughter driving it, 67k miles > > other than maintenance and a radio, i haven't had to spend much on > repairs. > > daughter comes home tuesday night just before i leave on a business > trip, says the car is running rough, idles rough. runs under WOT but > not well at part throttle. > > so being a student of this group i'm thinking electrical connectors on > the CPS or TPS or MAP sensor ... easy to get to. open each up, spray > out w/ electronics cleaner, put a dab of dielectric grease on it and > put them back together. pull the TB, looks clean, shoot it w/ some > carb cleaner and blow it out. check the IAC and clean it out. the > jeep now starts fine, idles smooth, drive it and runs part throttle or > full throttle fine. tell daughter it should be OK, leave town. > > phone call next day while i'm out of town, sam ting happening. > > so i call up an independent mechanic shop i've used over the past > three years and arrange for daughter to drop it off. > > up until now this shop has been excellent, good work, reasonable > prices, no upselling etc. > > today the service writer tells me that the MAP senson was bad, the > Throttle Body needed cleaning. my wife authorized the repair whild i > was on the trip. > > oh ... btw - the shocks and steering damper are shot and the serp > belt needs replaceing. sheesh, glad i didn't tell him to look > anywhere else. and that my wife had sense not to authorize these > fixes. > > so i check out the price for the MAP sensor. Mopar retail is about > $108 and I can get it for about $90. call the service writer back and > ask him how he gets from $110 to $270 > > 1 hr. diagnostics $82.00 > MAP Sensor $110 > Labor for MAP Sensor 0.7 hr $57 > Labor for TB cleaning 0.25 hr $21 > > hooking up a scanner ... about what - 5 minutes? > > replacing a MAP sensor on a 4.0 about what - another 5 minutes > > so i called the shop owner and told him that his diagnostic charge is > out of line on a car like this, that his labor is out of line for this > particular repair and that if i ever get upsold again i'd be taking my > business elsewhere and that i absolutely won't let my wife or > daughters drop a car off and authorize a repair ever again. > > i don't think he gets it. > > thanks for letting me vent, should have told the kid to wait until i > got home. > > reboot > > > --- > avast! Antivirus: Outbound message clean. > Virus Database (VPS): 000774-6, 09/14/2007 > Tested on: 9/14/2007 11:28:08 PM > avast! - copyright (c) 1988-2007 ALWIL Software. > http://www.avast.com > > > |
Re: Independent Mechanics
>> 1 hr. diagnostics $82.00
>> MAP Sensor $110 >> Labor for MAP Sensor 0.7 hr $57 >> Labor for TB cleaning 0.25 hr $21 >> >> hooking up a scanner ... about what - 5 minutes? >> >> replacing a MAP sensor on a 4.0 about what - another 5 minutes > Dont forget that not only does he have to have a high-quality scanner that handles nearly all new cars, http://buy1.snapon.com/products/diag...&group_ID=3098 has to update the scanner twice a year for about $995 And he also has to verify that the old part was indeed faulty (and that the replacement is not defective) with another tool, http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item....re&dir=catalog and updates for it cost another $400. I'd say you got a square deal. You don't like it, buy the tools. -- Stupendous Man, Defender of Freedom, Advocate of Liberty |
Re: Independent Mechanics
>> 1 hr. diagnostics $82.00
>> MAP Sensor $110 >> Labor for MAP Sensor 0.7 hr $57 >> Labor for TB cleaning 0.25 hr $21 >> >> hooking up a scanner ... about what - 5 minutes? >> >> replacing a MAP sensor on a 4.0 about what - another 5 minutes > Dont forget that not only does he have to have a high-quality scanner that handles nearly all new cars, http://buy1.snapon.com/products/diag...&group_ID=3098 has to update the scanner twice a year for about $995 And he also has to verify that the old part was indeed faulty (and that the replacement is not defective) with another tool, http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item....re&dir=catalog and updates for it cost another $400. I'd say you got a square deal. You don't like it, buy the tools. -- Stupendous Man, Defender of Freedom, Advocate of Liberty |
Re: Independent Mechanics
>> 1 hr. diagnostics $82.00
>> MAP Sensor $110 >> Labor for MAP Sensor 0.7 hr $57 >> Labor for TB cleaning 0.25 hr $21 >> >> hooking up a scanner ... about what - 5 minutes? >> >> replacing a MAP sensor on a 4.0 about what - another 5 minutes > Dont forget that not only does he have to have a high-quality scanner that handles nearly all new cars, http://buy1.snapon.com/products/diag...&group_ID=3098 has to update the scanner twice a year for about $995 And he also has to verify that the old part was indeed faulty (and that the replacement is not defective) with another tool, http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item....re&dir=catalog and updates for it cost another $400. I'd say you got a square deal. You don't like it, buy the tools. -- Stupendous Man, Defender of Freedom, Advocate of Liberty |
Re: Independent Mechanics
>> 1 hr. diagnostics $82.00
>> MAP Sensor $110 >> Labor for MAP Sensor 0.7 hr $57 >> Labor for TB cleaning 0.25 hr $21 >> >> hooking up a scanner ... about what - 5 minutes? >> >> replacing a MAP sensor on a 4.0 about what - another 5 minutes > Dont forget that not only does he have to have a high-quality scanner that handles nearly all new cars, http://buy1.snapon.com/products/diag...&group_ID=3098 has to update the scanner twice a year for about $995 And he also has to verify that the old part was indeed faulty (and that the replacement is not defective) with another tool, http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item....re&dir=catalog and updates for it cost another $400. I'd say you got a square deal. You don't like it, buy the tools. -- Stupendous Man, Defender of Freedom, Advocate of Liberty |
Re: Independent Mechanics
reboot <reboot@nothere.com> wrote:
> 1 hr. diagnostics $82.00 > MAP Sensor $110 > Labor for MAP Sensor 0.7 hr $57 > Labor for TB cleaning 0.25 hr $21 > > hooking up a scanner ... about what - 5 minutes? The $82 is on the low side for this area (Phoenix, AZ.) > replacing a MAP sensor on a 4.0 about what - another 5 minutes The labor charge is as per the flat rate manual and any labor charge includes a LOT more that replacing the sensor. It's the time from start of a job to finish of a job. Check around, you were not overcharged. -- XS11E, Killing all posts from Google Groups The Usenet Improvement Project: http://blinkynet.net/comp/uip5.html |
Re: Independent Mechanics
reboot <reboot@nothere.com> wrote:
> 1 hr. diagnostics $82.00 > MAP Sensor $110 > Labor for MAP Sensor 0.7 hr $57 > Labor for TB cleaning 0.25 hr $21 > > hooking up a scanner ... about what - 5 minutes? The $82 is on the low side for this area (Phoenix, AZ.) > replacing a MAP sensor on a 4.0 about what - another 5 minutes The labor charge is as per the flat rate manual and any labor charge includes a LOT more that replacing the sensor. It's the time from start of a job to finish of a job. Check around, you were not overcharged. -- XS11E, Killing all posts from Google Groups The Usenet Improvement Project: http://blinkynet.net/comp/uip5.html |
Re: Independent Mechanics
reboot <reboot@nothere.com> wrote:
> 1 hr. diagnostics $82.00 > MAP Sensor $110 > Labor for MAP Sensor 0.7 hr $57 > Labor for TB cleaning 0.25 hr $21 > > hooking up a scanner ... about what - 5 minutes? The $82 is on the low side for this area (Phoenix, AZ.) > replacing a MAP sensor on a 4.0 about what - another 5 minutes The labor charge is as per the flat rate manual and any labor charge includes a LOT more that replacing the sensor. It's the time from start of a job to finish of a job. Check around, you were not overcharged. -- XS11E, Killing all posts from Google Groups The Usenet Improvement Project: http://blinkynet.net/comp/uip5.html |
Re: Independent Mechanics
reboot <reboot@nothere.com> wrote:
> 1 hr. diagnostics $82.00 > MAP Sensor $110 > Labor for MAP Sensor 0.7 hr $57 > Labor for TB cleaning 0.25 hr $21 > > hooking up a scanner ... about what - 5 minutes? The $82 is on the low side for this area (Phoenix, AZ.) > replacing a MAP sensor on a 4.0 about what - another 5 minutes The labor charge is as per the flat rate manual and any labor charge includes a LOT more that replacing the sensor. It's the time from start of a job to finish of a job. Check around, you were not overcharged. -- XS11E, Killing all posts from Google Groups The Usenet Improvement Project: http://blinkynet.net/comp/uip5.html |
Re: Independent Mechanics
"Big Tex" <big_tex_1@sbcglobal.net> wrote:
> But this guy looks like he charges the same as a dealer would! Why not? I'll bet his mechanics shop at the same stores and pay the same prices as the dealers mechanics do, why should they earn less? -- XS11E, Killing all posts from Google Groups The Usenet Improvement Project: http://blinkynet.net/comp/uip5.html |
Re: Independent Mechanics
"Big Tex" <big_tex_1@sbcglobal.net> wrote:
> But this guy looks like he charges the same as a dealer would! Why not? I'll bet his mechanics shop at the same stores and pay the same prices as the dealers mechanics do, why should they earn less? -- XS11E, Killing all posts from Google Groups The Usenet Improvement Project: http://blinkynet.net/comp/uip5.html |
Re: Independent Mechanics
"Big Tex" <big_tex_1@sbcglobal.net> wrote:
> But this guy looks like he charges the same as a dealer would! Why not? I'll bet his mechanics shop at the same stores and pay the same prices as the dealers mechanics do, why should they earn less? -- XS11E, Killing all posts from Google Groups The Usenet Improvement Project: http://blinkynet.net/comp/uip5.html |
Re: Independent Mechanics
"Big Tex" <big_tex_1@sbcglobal.net> wrote:
> But this guy looks like he charges the same as a dealer would! Why not? I'll bet his mechanics shop at the same stores and pay the same prices as the dealers mechanics do, why should they earn less? -- XS11E, Killing all posts from Google Groups The Usenet Improvement Project: http://blinkynet.net/comp/uip5.html |
Re: Independent Mechanics
On Fri, 14 Sep 2007 23:28:06 -0400, reboot <reboot@nothere.com> wrote:
>bought a '99 TJ 4.0 last spring, have a daughter driving it, 67k miles > >other than maintenance and a radio, i haven't had to spend much on >repairs. > >daughter comes home tuesday night just before i leave on a business >trip, says the car is running rough, idles rough. runs under WOT but >not well at part throttle. > >so being a student of this group i'm thinking electrical connectors on >the CPS or TPS or MAP sensor ... easy to get to. open each up, spray >out w/ electronics cleaner, put a dab of dielectric grease on it and >put them back together. pull the TB, looks clean, shoot it w/ some >carb cleaner and blow it out. check the IAC and clean it out. the >jeep now starts fine, idles smooth, drive it and runs part throttle or >full throttle fine. tell daughter it should be OK, leave town. > >phone call next day while i'm out of town, sam ting happening. > >so i call up an independent mechanic shop i've used over the past >three years and arrange for daughter to drop it off. > >up until now this shop has been excellent, good work, reasonable >prices, no upselling etc. > >today the service writer tells me that the MAP senson was bad, the >Throttle Body needed cleaning. my wife authorized the repair whild i >was on the trip. > >oh ... btw - the shocks and steering damper are shot and the serp >belt needs replaceing. sheesh, glad i didn't tell him to look >anywhere else. and that my wife had sense not to authorize these >fixes. > >so i check out the price for the MAP sensor. Mopar retail is about >$108 and I can get it for about $90. call the service writer back and >ask him how he gets from $110 to $270 > >1 hr. diagnostics $82.00 >MAP Sensor $110 >Labor for MAP Sensor 0.7 hr $57 >Labor for TB cleaning 0.25 hr $21 > >hooking up a scanner ... about what - 5 minutes? > >replacing a MAP sensor on a 4.0 about what - another 5 minutes > >so i called the shop owner and told him that his diagnostic charge is >out of line on a car like this, that his labor is out of line for this >particular repair and that if i ever get upsold again i'd be taking my >business elsewhere and that i absolutely won't let my wife or >daughters drop a car off and authorize a repair ever again. > >i don't think he gets it. > >thanks for letting me vent, should have told the kid to wait until i >got home. > >reboot > > >--- >avast! Antivirus: Outbound message clean. >Virus Database (VPS): 000774-6, 09/14/2007 >Tested on: 9/14/2007 11:28:08 PM >avast! - copyright (c) 1988-2007 ALWIL Software. >http://www.avast.com > > the shop is AE Autocare in Livonia and until now I have been very happy with them. my first job was a kid-car, a '95 escort with front brakes acting up. took it in and they called me and said that the calipers were hanging up on corroded pins. that for about $250 they could replace them or for $100 they would take them apart and put the pins on a wire wheel and put it back together with some good lube. i was delighted because the car was only worth about $500 !! i know the serp belt needs replacing, i'll do it when i replace the cracked exhaust manifold. but i'll do that on my own time, not when i'm leaving on a business trip and have about 20 minutes to give it a quick once over and a lick and a promise. in this case there wasn't a check engine light flashing and if i had more time i would have gone to autozone and scanned it in the parking lot. he didn't offer (at least yet, I'm going to pick it up in a few minutes) to drop the diagnostics. the bone i'm picking is 'standard times' that don't vary by vehicle. on this tj it's really only a 5 minute job to repace the MAP sensor. with some time available, i'm my own shade tree mechanic, i've got the FSM (props to the alt.binaries.e-books.technical newsgroup) and basic tools. just didn't have the chance this time with going out of town. gripe done ... peace reboot --- avast! Antivirus: Outbound message clean. Virus Database (VPS): 000774-6, 09/14/2007 Tested on: 9/15/2007 12:42:03 PM avast! - copyright (c) 1988-2007 ALWIL Software. http://www.avast.com |
Re: Independent Mechanics
On Fri, 14 Sep 2007 23:28:06 -0400, reboot <reboot@nothere.com> wrote:
>bought a '99 TJ 4.0 last spring, have a daughter driving it, 67k miles > >other than maintenance and a radio, i haven't had to spend much on >repairs. > >daughter comes home tuesday night just before i leave on a business >trip, says the car is running rough, idles rough. runs under WOT but >not well at part throttle. > >so being a student of this group i'm thinking electrical connectors on >the CPS or TPS or MAP sensor ... easy to get to. open each up, spray >out w/ electronics cleaner, put a dab of dielectric grease on it and >put them back together. pull the TB, looks clean, shoot it w/ some >carb cleaner and blow it out. check the IAC and clean it out. the >jeep now starts fine, idles smooth, drive it and runs part throttle or >full throttle fine. tell daughter it should be OK, leave town. > >phone call next day while i'm out of town, sam ting happening. > >so i call up an independent mechanic shop i've used over the past >three years and arrange for daughter to drop it off. > >up until now this shop has been excellent, good work, reasonable >prices, no upselling etc. > >today the service writer tells me that the MAP senson was bad, the >Throttle Body needed cleaning. my wife authorized the repair whild i >was on the trip. > >oh ... btw - the shocks and steering damper are shot and the serp >belt needs replaceing. sheesh, glad i didn't tell him to look >anywhere else. and that my wife had sense not to authorize these >fixes. > >so i check out the price for the MAP sensor. Mopar retail is about >$108 and I can get it for about $90. call the service writer back and >ask him how he gets from $110 to $270 > >1 hr. diagnostics $82.00 >MAP Sensor $110 >Labor for MAP Sensor 0.7 hr $57 >Labor for TB cleaning 0.25 hr $21 > >hooking up a scanner ... about what - 5 minutes? > >replacing a MAP sensor on a 4.0 about what - another 5 minutes > >so i called the shop owner and told him that his diagnostic charge is >out of line on a car like this, that his labor is out of line for this >particular repair and that if i ever get upsold again i'd be taking my >business elsewhere and that i absolutely won't let my wife or >daughters drop a car off and authorize a repair ever again. > >i don't think he gets it. > >thanks for letting me vent, should have told the kid to wait until i >got home. > >reboot > > >--- >avast! Antivirus: Outbound message clean. >Virus Database (VPS): 000774-6, 09/14/2007 >Tested on: 9/14/2007 11:28:08 PM >avast! - copyright (c) 1988-2007 ALWIL Software. >http://www.avast.com > > the shop is AE Autocare in Livonia and until now I have been very happy with them. my first job was a kid-car, a '95 escort with front brakes acting up. took it in and they called me and said that the calipers were hanging up on corroded pins. that for about $250 they could replace them or for $100 they would take them apart and put the pins on a wire wheel and put it back together with some good lube. i was delighted because the car was only worth about $500 !! i know the serp belt needs replacing, i'll do it when i replace the cracked exhaust manifold. but i'll do that on my own time, not when i'm leaving on a business trip and have about 20 minutes to give it a quick once over and a lick and a promise. in this case there wasn't a check engine light flashing and if i had more time i would have gone to autozone and scanned it in the parking lot. he didn't offer (at least yet, I'm going to pick it up in a few minutes) to drop the diagnostics. the bone i'm picking is 'standard times' that don't vary by vehicle. on this tj it's really only a 5 minute job to repace the MAP sensor. with some time available, i'm my own shade tree mechanic, i've got the FSM (props to the alt.binaries.e-books.technical newsgroup) and basic tools. just didn't have the chance this time with going out of town. gripe done ... peace reboot --- avast! Antivirus: Outbound message clean. Virus Database (VPS): 000774-6, 09/14/2007 Tested on: 9/15/2007 12:42:03 PM avast! - copyright (c) 1988-2007 ALWIL Software. http://www.avast.com |
Re: Independent Mechanics
On Fri, 14 Sep 2007 23:28:06 -0400, reboot <reboot@nothere.com> wrote:
>bought a '99 TJ 4.0 last spring, have a daughter driving it, 67k miles > >other than maintenance and a radio, i haven't had to spend much on >repairs. > >daughter comes home tuesday night just before i leave on a business >trip, says the car is running rough, idles rough. runs under WOT but >not well at part throttle. > >so being a student of this group i'm thinking electrical connectors on >the CPS or TPS or MAP sensor ... easy to get to. open each up, spray >out w/ electronics cleaner, put a dab of dielectric grease on it and >put them back together. pull the TB, looks clean, shoot it w/ some >carb cleaner and blow it out. check the IAC and clean it out. the >jeep now starts fine, idles smooth, drive it and runs part throttle or >full throttle fine. tell daughter it should be OK, leave town. > >phone call next day while i'm out of town, sam ting happening. > >so i call up an independent mechanic shop i've used over the past >three years and arrange for daughter to drop it off. > >up until now this shop has been excellent, good work, reasonable >prices, no upselling etc. > >today the service writer tells me that the MAP senson was bad, the >Throttle Body needed cleaning. my wife authorized the repair whild i >was on the trip. > >oh ... btw - the shocks and steering damper are shot and the serp >belt needs replaceing. sheesh, glad i didn't tell him to look >anywhere else. and that my wife had sense not to authorize these >fixes. > >so i check out the price for the MAP sensor. Mopar retail is about >$108 and I can get it for about $90. call the service writer back and >ask him how he gets from $110 to $270 > >1 hr. diagnostics $82.00 >MAP Sensor $110 >Labor for MAP Sensor 0.7 hr $57 >Labor for TB cleaning 0.25 hr $21 > >hooking up a scanner ... about what - 5 minutes? > >replacing a MAP sensor on a 4.0 about what - another 5 minutes > >so i called the shop owner and told him that his diagnostic charge is >out of line on a car like this, that his labor is out of line for this >particular repair and that if i ever get upsold again i'd be taking my >business elsewhere and that i absolutely won't let my wife or >daughters drop a car off and authorize a repair ever again. > >i don't think he gets it. > >thanks for letting me vent, should have told the kid to wait until i >got home. > >reboot > > >--- >avast! Antivirus: Outbound message clean. >Virus Database (VPS): 000774-6, 09/14/2007 >Tested on: 9/14/2007 11:28:08 PM >avast! - copyright (c) 1988-2007 ALWIL Software. >http://www.avast.com > > the shop is AE Autocare in Livonia and until now I have been very happy with them. my first job was a kid-car, a '95 escort with front brakes acting up. took it in and they called me and said that the calipers were hanging up on corroded pins. that for about $250 they could replace them or for $100 they would take them apart and put the pins on a wire wheel and put it back together with some good lube. i was delighted because the car was only worth about $500 !! i know the serp belt needs replacing, i'll do it when i replace the cracked exhaust manifold. but i'll do that on my own time, not when i'm leaving on a business trip and have about 20 minutes to give it a quick once over and a lick and a promise. in this case there wasn't a check engine light flashing and if i had more time i would have gone to autozone and scanned it in the parking lot. he didn't offer (at least yet, I'm going to pick it up in a few minutes) to drop the diagnostics. the bone i'm picking is 'standard times' that don't vary by vehicle. on this tj it's really only a 5 minute job to repace the MAP sensor. with some time available, i'm my own shade tree mechanic, i've got the FSM (props to the alt.binaries.e-books.technical newsgroup) and basic tools. just didn't have the chance this time with going out of town. gripe done ... peace reboot --- avast! Antivirus: Outbound message clean. Virus Database (VPS): 000774-6, 09/14/2007 Tested on: 9/15/2007 12:42:03 PM avast! - copyright (c) 1988-2007 ALWIL Software. http://www.avast.com |
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