CSportAnt

I was driving my car yesterday, and all of a sudden it started misfiring and shaking like crazy when the car came to a stop. Then the CEL came on. I so happen to be close to a dealership, Calabasas Motorcars, and had them look into it. They diagnosed that it was a Faulty vacuum hose located at the intake manifold, and quoted me 5 hours of labor plus $150 for the hose. Does this sound right?? I also got charged $165 for the diagnostic. They did not perform the repairs yet, and told me to bring it back in, since I needed the car to get to work. I wanted to see if any of you had this problem or know if it is that labor intensive to replace the vacuum hose located near or close to the intake manifold. Thanks for any feedback!

alboogiee

wouldnt that be under warrenty??!!

CSportAnt

My warranty is over and never extended it.

Jkw

5 Hrs sounds like a long time, isn't there a set standard time, for each type of Mechanical repair? Does anyone know what that is called and how it works.
Jkw

Kenzmbz

What is it 80/hr? Damns thats 400 plus 150 + 165 =

CSportAnt

Nope it is $110/hr at Calabasas.

alboogiee

if you're gonna end up paying that much..more then i can add in my head you might be better off buying that extended warrenty for alittle more $ and save $ in the long run when something else happens...

my $.02

revstriker

With an extended warranty, you would still have to pay a deductible, and depending on the warranty, it may not even cover this. Also, since his original warranty has already expired, he would not be eligible for a lot of extended warranties.

CSportAnt

Yea they offered me the extended warranty when I almost hit 50,000 miles. They said $3,000 plus $100 deductible on all repairs. this is for 3 more years or 100,000 miles.

Outland

Get a blow torch, turn it on but don't light it. Wave it in the area they told you it was leaking. If the idle speed changes, youve found your leak. Vaccum lines are cheap.

rcltrh

Well now. I guess an old dog can learn new tricks. That's a really good idea that I would have never thought of. I have used a torch to find refrigerant leaks but would have never thought of the intake of extra butane helping find a leak. I don't even have a vacuum leak but thanks for the info

Yes, I'm sorry, but for a simple leaking vacuum hose I'm thinking for less than $2 and a trip to autozone you'll have that fixed up quick once you find it. Dealerships never cease to amaze me.

Outland

No problem. Hope you never have to use it. Normally, I love watching MB owners **** money away...its great entertainment.

mleskovar

Somehow I think there is more to this story than a simple vacuum hose.....or they are trying to rip you off bigtime. Which vacuum hose is it? If it is legit then it almost equals removing the dash to fix the A/C evaporator (was that the part) in the early 90's cars. $150 hose can't be just a piece of rubber tubing. Five hours to 'install' a piece of tubing can't be possible. Please tell me it's a mistake.

rcltrh

I seriously think I could remove and reinstall the entire engine and transmission in 5 hours time. Almost know I could. A $150 vacuum line better be lined with some precious metal or something. Although, I did seriously consider a set of those OEM rubber mud flaps for my ML but then decided it was insane to pay $250 + for 50 cents worth of vacuum injection molded plastic. What was I thinking.

shorthair

With the price of oil today that would probably be at least 54 cents of plastic. :p

CSportAnt

All it says on the diagnostic was "Faulty Vaccum Hose at Intake Manifold", they told me the had to remove something to get to it. I will ask for more details on the job. Still have not brought it back yet. Want to make sure they are not ripping me off. Thanks for all the advice!! Just called them, and they told me it should a 3 hour job now, why did they change their stories?

mleskovar

Even 3 hours sounds like a rip off! By law they are supposed to show you the faulty/removed part in CA. so if you have them do the job be sure you ask for it.

Outland

Because they know you didn't believe them about the 5 hours. Just fix it yourself. Or post the bill here after you get pounded. We need the entertainment. :v

Aaraisi

Hi

If you want to replace manifold vacuum hose you need a time like removing whole manifold but if you ding want to replace it buy a hose joint and job will be done.

Try to get asuitable joint.

mobilefitt

Is there a definitive way to replace the plug that supposedly holds the intake manifold vac line in place? It's the line on the front bottom of the manifold and I took it all off beside the piece stuck in the bottom. I assumed that there was a nipple there and it would be easy to replace the hose. Well, it's not easy. Any input is welcome at this point. BTW driving Chrysler xfire. SLK 320 (170) motor.

Jared Michaels

does anyone know the answer to this??? is there a way to get to re-attach a new hose on the front bottom of the manifold, without removing the entire manifold? my car runs fine without the hose attached but I know I've go to get that hose in place asap;

its easy to get the secondary air pump out of the way;

there is about a 2" opening (maybe less) and I can feel the hose bib on the underside but can't reach down there to attach the new hose; is there a special tool I could use??

help!!!

Donald McPherso

Do you really need to go to a dealer for this job. Any competent garage should be able to do it for a lot less.

Spooky55

They make bent needle nose pliers - maybe that would work?

hyperion667

Damnit!! 165 just to tell you they want to rip you off MORE?? Isn't there anywhere else you can go?!