how much is too much

[Elliott]

went on a road trip, when at the farthest point away from home...rough ilde ensues...take it to get it fixed when I got home after an interesting drive home and it came to: Cracked breather hose - $28 in parts Oil change and filter - 42 + 18 = $60 in parts For some reason my oil was incredibly black and my oil filter was disgusting. I only had an oil change about 4800 miles ago. This seems strange, no? Makes me think I was told it was changed and in actuallity it wasn't. Labor - $70/hr x 3 hours = 210 Is that too expensive? All in all - $298 - $327 plus tax I feel screwed. I'm young and my negotiating skills especially with such businesses aren't sharp yet, although this man is considered "the best in nashville." What do you all think? I am needing to vent.

To remove this ad, register today or login if you already are registered!

[Moviela]

Labor rate is not too high, Dealers in LA get a bit over 100 per hour, independants about 80. Breather hose is priced fairly, it would cost 40 at the retail counter at some dealers.

You don't say what car you have, but $42 for 8 quarts of Mobil 1 0W-40 is less than auto parts stores charge ($ 6.99) and $ 18 for a fleece filter is on a par with the breather hose as far as mark-up goes.

If your car was hooked up to a OBDII computer to read any codes, and clear any in the memory, 2.5 hours is a bit long. He could have acomplished that task in 1.5 hours according to the factory warranty book. I assume you are being charged a half hour for the oil change.

I don't feel you were cheated, but you might ask for an explaination of why it took so long to find a cracked hose. There may be a reasonable explaination, and the shop is not taking you for a ride on parts either.

My mother taught me a trick about oil changes. She would put a dot of nail polish on the edge of the fill cap. After an oil change, she would look to see if the 'seal' was broken. I recall as a small boy her asking the dealer if he had turned the car over to fill it through the drain plug, because the fill cap on the engine had not been touched!

If it makes you feel better, I just had Service B done for the same money, and did not get a breather hose!

[jan ken po]

Originally Posted by Moviela

My mother taught me a trick about oil changes. She would put a dot of nail polish on the edge of the fill cap. After an oil change, she would look to see if the 'seal' was broken.

Which is fine until a smart mechanic simply unscrews the cap and then screws it back. That is if they are truly trying to get over on someone.

[Elliott]

thanks for the feedback guys. i appreciate how everyone is so helpful on this forum