Am I getting ripped off? (Mechanic Tips Thread) - Page 3

punkass · #21 07-11-2006, 05:05 PM

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Thoughts on the 3:

(1) A fuel filter is a $6 part. Buy one yourself and put it on. It's not very hard.

(2) Brake fluid is also about $5. If it actually needs to be flushed, sure it would be tricky. However, this is probably a total waste, as brake fluid rarely gets 'dirty'.

(3) A good battery should cost < $70. There's only 2 connections on it, so it's not really that hard. However, in some cars, it can be a real bitch to get at. (I'm still sweating the day I have to get access to mine).

In short,
DIY: About $80
Mechanic: About $240

My suggestion? Replace the fuel filter if you're at 75k miles or more. Not only will it help fuel mileage, but it'll put a LOT less wear and tear on your fuel pump.

Ignore the brake fluid comment entirely.

Replace the battery when it dies.

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When I had to replace my battery (car wouldn't start sometimes, bad cell in battery), I actually couldn't find it. I am admittedly very dumb when it comes to cars. BMW 323. The battery is in the trunk. I looked like an idiot looking for it under the hood. Had to read the owner's manual to find the battery.

mosta · #22 07-11-2006, 05:42 PM

find a German, or Dutch, mechanic. it's the only way.

goofball · #23 07-11-2006, 05:47 PM

i know almost nothing about cars and I was able to install a new battery. Whenever I go to get an oil change I just always say no to whatever they reccomend.

siccjay · #24 07-11-2006, 06:07 PM

Have you let them fix problems all the other times you had your oil changed? If so, please post them.

youtalkfunny · #25 07-12-2006, 08:06 AM

The "dirty brake fluid" tips his hand. He's raping you.

Trying to sell a battery to someone who's had no difficulty starting his car is icing on the cake.

I've been very lucky in my life, in regards to finding honest mechanics.

You know when you've found an honest one? Ask him to check your antifreeze. He'll get this little eye-dropper thing with floating balls inside of it, and take a sample.

When he's done, ask him how much you owe him. If he says, "No charge", you've found your man.

The mechanic I go to, I actually had to ask him on my last visit to please take $20 from me, because I felt guilty for all the times he's told me, "No charge".

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The battery is in the trunk.

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In my Buick, the battery is underneath the back seat. You need to lift the seat out to get to it. Like you, I had no chance of finding it without consulting the owner's manual.

NA_kicker · #26 07-12-2006, 12:43 PM

Not too hijack, but what about transmission fluid?

On my last oil change, I was told I need to get this changed because it is black and dirty or something.

How often does this need to be done? How much should it cost?

samjjones · #27 07-12-2006, 12:55 PM

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Fuel Filter needs to be replaced - $65
Brake Fluid is dirty - $65
Battery needs to be replaced - $120

I just bought this car used last summer, I'm pretty sure it had a new battery, or at least that's dealer said.

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Lift the hood.

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Whoa....slow down there. Can you please explain this in laymen's terms?

basco · #28 07-12-2006, 01:59 PM

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Have you let them fix problems all the other times you had your oil changed? If so, please post them.

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Sure, I'll sacrifice my dignity.

I've had two other incidents there. The first time my driver's side front tire was making a loud, repetitive noise - it sounded like it was about to fall off. They told me it was a 'pretty bad transmission problem', charged me $60 for the diagnostic, and then sent me to a transmission shop. This is a Accord with 70K miles, just purchased used from a dealer, and I had the whole thing inspected, so I was in shock. The transmission shop called about an hour after I dropped it off to tell me the tire was loose, they tightened it and charged me about $20 I think.

That should've been enough to set all sorts of warning bells ringing, but oil changes are cheap and extremely convenient there (they drop me off and pick me up from work, and there's a discount) so I ended up back there for another oil change several months later, and had them rotate the tires. This time they found a bolt or something that had broken, and had to disassemble something just to replace it. The piece was maybe $1, but the labor charge was over $170 I think. It was a friday and I was taking a road trip over the weekend, and I had only owned a car at that point for about 6 months (didn't need one in college... I'm 22.)

I should find that receipt and post the specifics... I wouldn't be surprised if it just said 'bad johnson rod'.

punkass · #29 07-12-2006, 02:12 PM

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'pretty bad transmission problem', charged me $60 for the diagnostic, and then sent me to a transmission shop.

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Should've been your sign to never come back there again. Or only go there for oil changes ONLY. If they suggest other things, say "thanks, but just the oil change."

basco · #30 07-12-2006, 02:14 PM

The saga continues... (more problems).

I was driving home after work yesterday when my left front tire starts making a loud repetitive noise. I turned around and went back to the mechanic. An hour later, it turns out the tire is out of round, and while it was unnoticeable in the back, it made a lot of noise in the front. The machine they were using to test it found about 16 pounds of pressure on the road, I think my other tires had about 7.

In their words, the tire was 'bad', but could still be driven on (normally). In fact - if I didn't mind the loud noise, they were okay with it staying in the front.

They recommended a 4 wheel alignment which would cost $135 total. What I don't get is why I can drive on this tire? It's not creating any pull, but shouldn't it be replaced asap?

(On the plus side, they didn't charge me anything for the hour or so long diagnostic process.)