Need Mechanic's Advice

Home ▸ Archive ▸ Serious Business ▸ Need Mechanic's Advice
vdubb96's avatar

vdubb96

Urbans Meyers Stache

2,210 posts
Jul 10, 2013 7:36 AM
mcburg93;1470133 wrote:Not all dealerships are bad is right, but all dealerships overcharge and that is ridiculous.
Your right Dealerships charge more. Is there a reason, yes. It's called overhead. There are 50+ people that work here. There are sometimes 1 or 2, maybe 3 at mom and pop shops. Dealerships have to charge more or they wouldn't be able to operate.
Jul 10, 2013 7:36am
GoChiefs's avatar

GoChiefs

Resident Maniac

16,754 posts
Jul 10, 2013 7:42 AM
There's a difference between charging more to cover overhead, and charging more to rape your ass. There is no justification with some of the costs of their services. $75 just to CHECK THE FLUID LEVEL in the transmission of my Charger. Really? For 5 minutes? There's no excuse for that. Nor the $900 difference I mentioned earlier.
Jul 10, 2013 7:42am
vdubb96's avatar

vdubb96

Urbans Meyers Stache

2,210 posts
Jul 10, 2013 8:03 AM
GoChiefs;1470154 wrote:There's a difference between charging more to cover overhead, and charging more to rape your ass. There is no justification with some of the costs of their services. $75 just to CHECK THE FLUID LEVEL in the transmission of my Charger. Really? For 5 minutes? There's no excuse for that. Nor the $900 difference I mentioned earlier.
Totally understand that but again, thats not us. Never has been never will be. I would never charge a customer to check there transmission fluid level. Thats a joke, you're right.
Jul 10, 2013 8:03am
H

hilliardfan

Senior Member

193 posts
Jul 10, 2013 8:17 AM
said_aouita;1469950 wrote:

"The EGR valve, or Exhaust Gas Recirculation valve, is a vacuum controlled valve which allows a specific amount of your exhaust back into the intake manifold. This exhaust mixes with the intake air and actually cools the combustion process. Cooler is always better inside your engine. The exhaust your EGR valve recirculates also prevents the formation of Nitrogen related gases. These are referred to as NOX emissions, and are a common cause for failing emissions testing. Unfortunately, your EGR valve can get stuck, causing NOX gases to build up. You'll know if your EGR valve is stuck or malfunctioning because your car will experience symptoms like rough idle and bucking on acceleration."
After further research, I think I'm going to start with the EGR valve. I've priced the part from Advance Auto at around $130. Is this a part I could install myself or are there special tools/knowledge needed to install?
Jul 10, 2013 8:17am
vdubb96's avatar

vdubb96

Urbans Meyers Stache

2,210 posts
Jul 10, 2013 8:26 AM
Looked up labor on Alldata it pays just over a half hour to install with a B level technician (which is a step above a lube tech) so shouldn't be too difficult.
Jul 10, 2013 8:26am
GoChiefs's avatar

GoChiefs

Resident Maniac

16,754 posts
Jul 10, 2013 8:28 AM
hilliardfan;1470167 wrote:After further research, I think I'm going to start with the EGR valve. I've priced the part from Advance Auto at around $130. Is this a part I could install myself or are there special tools/knowledge needed to install?

Here's some things to try to test the EGR valve before wasting $130.

http://www.fixya.com/cars/t5248260-p401_egr_valve_problem_honda_civic_2003
Jul 10, 2013 8:28am
GoChiefs's avatar

GoChiefs

Resident Maniac

16,754 posts
Jul 10, 2013 8:32 AM
vdubb96;1470164 wrote:Totally understand that but again, thats not us. Never has been never will be. I would never charge a customer to check there transmission fluid level. Thats a joke, you're right.

I'm not saying it's you specifically, but it is a majority of stealerships. I haven't found one around here that will do it for free. Glad to hear your dealership isn't a piece of shit.

Before anyone says "check your own transmission fluid dummy", Chrysler thought it would be a good idea to not put dipsticks in the cars for transmissions. Pretty convenient of them I thought.
Jul 10, 2013 8:32am
vdubb96's avatar

vdubb96

Urbans Meyers Stache

2,210 posts
Jul 10, 2013 8:36 AM
GoChiefs;1470179 wrote:I'm not saying it's you specifically, but it is a majority of stealerships. I haven't found one around here that will do it for free. Glad to hear your dealership isn't a piece of ****.

Before anyone says "check your own transmission fluid dummy", Chrysler thought it would be a good idea to not put dipsticks in the cars for transmissions. Pretty convenient of them I thought.
LOL, correct there is a "special tool" to check the trans fluid levels. Those stupid things cost $80 a pop, there has been more than one come up missing from our shop.
Jul 10, 2013 8:36am
M

MontyBrunswick

Jul 10, 2013 8:36 AM
I am taking my car to the dealership next week.

Hope this helps.
Jul 10, 2013 8:36am
GoChiefs's avatar

GoChiefs

Resident Maniac

16,754 posts
Jul 10, 2013 9:14 AM
vdubb96;1470180 wrote:LOL, correct there is a "special tool" to check the trans fluid levels. Those stupid things cost $80 a pop, there has been more than one come up missing from our shop.

I found out the measurements and got a Dakota dipstick and cut it to length. Cost about $1.50.

First time I had it checked, I had to take it to the dealership. Walked in and asked if they could check the fluid and top it off. Mind you, this was this Service Manager. His response? "Do you know what the current fluid level is?" Fucking idiot.
Jul 10, 2013 9:14am
vdubb96's avatar

vdubb96

Urbans Meyers Stache

2,210 posts
Jul 10, 2013 9:20 AM
GoChiefs;1470193 wrote:I found out the measurements and got a Dakota dipstick and cut it to length. Cost about $1.50.

First time I had it checked, I had to take it to the dealership. Walked in and asked if they could check the fluid and top it off. Mind you, this was this Service Manager. His response? "Do you know what the current fluid level is?" ****ing idiot.
HAHAHA, there are some out there for sure!
Jul 10, 2013 9:20am
ZWICK 4 PREZ's avatar

ZWICK 4 PREZ

Senior Member

7,733 posts
Jul 10, 2013 9:47 AM
GoChiefs;1470179 wrote:I'm not saying it's you specifically, but it is a majority of stealerships. I haven't found one around here that will do it for free. Glad to hear your dealership isn't a piece of shit.

Before anyone says "check your own transmission fluid dummy", Chrysler thought it would be a good idea to not put dipsticks in the cars for transmissions. Pretty convenient of them I thought.
Thats what you get for buying Mopar.
Jul 10, 2013 9:47am
said_aouita's avatar

said_aouita

Banned

8,532 posts
Jul 10, 2013 11:47 AM
GoChiefs;1470154 wrote:There's a difference between charging more to cover overhead, and charging more to rape your ass. There is no justification with some of the costs of their services. $75 just to CHECK THE FLUID LEVEL in the transmission of my Charger. Really? For 5 minutes? There's no excuse for that. Nor the $900 difference I mentioned earlier.
If a company nickel and dimes it's customers by not including a dip stick, makes me question the rest of the quality of the car.
Jul 10, 2013 11:47am
said_aouita's avatar

said_aouita

Banned

8,532 posts
Jul 10, 2013 11:55 AM
hilliardfan;1470167 wrote:After further research, I think I'm going to start with the EGR valve. I've priced the part from Advance Auto at around $130. Is this a part I could install myself or are there special tools/knowledge needed to install?
I don't believe it's a normal (tube/T connector) vacuum leak like some other posters have mentioned because you say it's only when the car is still warming up. So I think it has to do with exhaust manifold and/or EGR valve.

If concerned with doing it yourself I'd make calls to as many different shops for quotes on replacing the EGR valve.
I'm guessing you'll get quotes anywhere from $280 to $600.
Jul 10, 2013 11:55am
GoChiefs's avatar

GoChiefs

Resident Maniac

16,754 posts
Jul 10, 2013 2:07 PM
ZWICK 4 PREZ;1470208 wrote:Thats what you get for buying Mopar.

Breaking News: Ford does this too. Derp. Matter of fact, Ford started this practice before Chrysler.
Jul 10, 2013 2:07pm
said_aouita's avatar

said_aouita

Banned

8,532 posts
Jul 10, 2013 2:09 PM
GoChiefs;1470410 wrote:Breaking News: Ford does this too. Derp.
What year Ford's do not come with a dip stick to check the transmission fluid?
Jul 10, 2013 2:09pm
GoChiefs's avatar

GoChiefs

Resident Maniac

16,754 posts
Jul 10, 2013 2:10 PM
said_aouita;1470413 wrote:What year Ford's do not come with a dip stick to check the transmission fluid?

I know 2002 Explorer's and above for sure. Dunno if there's others.
Jul 10, 2013 2:10pm
ZWICK 4 PREZ's avatar

ZWICK 4 PREZ

Senior Member

7,733 posts
Jul 10, 2013 2:22 PM
GoChiefs;1470410 wrote:Breaking News: Ford does this too. Derp. Matter of fact, Ford started this practice before Chrysler.
All my f150's have always had one.
Jul 10, 2013 2:22pm
GoChiefs's avatar

GoChiefs

Resident Maniac

16,754 posts
Jul 10, 2013 2:24 PM
ZWICK 4 PREZ;1470436 wrote:All my f150's have always had one.
Yeah, so have all my F150's and F250's. Don't believe I mentioned them?
GoChiefs;1470418 wrote:I know 2002 Explorer's and above for sure. Dunno if there's others.
Jul 10, 2013 2:24pm
ZWICK 4 PREZ's avatar

ZWICK 4 PREZ

Senior Member

7,733 posts
Jul 10, 2013 2:30 PM
GoChiefs;1470439 wrote:Yeah, so have all my F150's and F250's. Don't believe I mentioned them?
No you just mentioned you didn't know if others didn't have them .

F150's have them.
Jul 10, 2013 2:30pm
said_aouita's avatar

said_aouita

Banned

8,532 posts
Jul 10, 2013 2:34 PM
ZWICK 4 PREZ;1470446 wrote:No you just mentioned you didn't know if others didn't have them .

.
Oh no you didn't.
Jul 10, 2013 2:34pm
vdubb96's avatar

vdubb96

Urbans Meyers Stache

2,210 posts
Jul 10, 2013 2:36 PM
said_aouita;1470449 wrote:Oh no you didn't.
Nicely done, reps!
Jul 10, 2013 2:36pm
GoChiefs's avatar

GoChiefs

Resident Maniac

16,754 posts
Jul 10, 2013 2:37 PM
ZWICK 4 PREZ;1470446 wrote:No you just mentioned you didn't know if others didn't have them .

F150's have them.
I wasn't asking for a list. ;)
Jul 10, 2013 2:37pm
ZWICK 4 PREZ's avatar

ZWICK 4 PREZ

Senior Member

7,733 posts
Jul 10, 2013 3:22 PM
GoChiefs;1470457 wrote:I wasn't asking for a list. ;)
Consider it your lucky day. You got one anyway.
Jul 10, 2013 3:22pm