Independent Mechanics
09-14-2007, 11:28 PM
#1
Guest
Posts: n/a
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
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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
09-14-2007, 11:57 PM
#2
Guest
Posts: n/a
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
>
>
>
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
>
>
>
09-14-2007, 11:57 PM
#3
Guest
Posts: n/a
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
>
>
>
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
>
>
>
09-14-2007, 11:57 PM
#4
Guest
Posts: n/a
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
>
>
>
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
>
>
>
09-14-2007, 11:57 PM
#5
Guest
Posts: n/a
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
>
>
>
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
>
>
>
09-15-2007, 12:39 AM
#6
Guest
Posts: n/a
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
>
>
>
"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
>
>
>
09-15-2007, 12:39 AM
#7
Guest
Posts: n/a
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
>
>
>
"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
>
>
>
09-15-2007, 12:39 AM
#8
Guest
Posts: n/a
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
>
>
>
"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
>
>
>
09-15-2007, 12:39 AM
#9
Guest
Posts: n/a
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
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"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
>
>
>
09-15-2007, 01:24 AM
#10
Guest
Posts: n/a
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
