Question about auto repair estimate

[Lathum]

We have an older model Ford Explorer. 1997. IT has 136,000 miles on it and to date there have been no major repairs needed. Well I took it in to get looked at because it has been over heating and the check engine light is on.

I took it to the dealership since we are new here and don't have " a guy" we trust at a repair shop. The estimate came back higher then I thought.

If anyone has insight to this kind of thing please tell me if it sounds correct.

Upper Intake- 275.00
Lower Intake 420.00
Timing Cover- 1015.00
TIres-400.00
Upper ball joint-160.00
Alignment- 60.00

Total- 2350.00

It just seems like alot, the money isn't a problem if the repairs are needed. It's just annoying because we only need another year out of it untill my fiance gets another company car, but the risk just doesn't seem worth it.

The problem is the intakes are leaking oil and coolant and could cause the head gasket to blow.

The tires are fine, I know that needs to be done.

I have no idea what the "Timing Cover" is, any input is apreciated.

[Crim]

Upper Intake... 275.00
Lower Intake... 420.00
Timing Cover... 1015.00
TIres... 400.00
Upper ball joint... 160.00
Alignment... 60.00
Getting ripped off by the mechanic... PRICELESS

[FrogMan]

Originally Posted by Lathum

I took it to the dealership since we are new here and don't have " a guy" we trust at a repair shop. The estimate came back higher then I thought.

I don't know how high you thought it would be, but as soon as you add "dealership" to the equation, on a car out of warranty, the bill usually goes way high...

Can't help you much, but that seems like a lot of money. Some stuff are pretty basic things though, like tires. You should be able to shop around and maybe even get used ones if you only need a year out of the car.

FM

[BrianD]

I would take the car to a couple of car-repair places, and let them know that you are stopping in just for an estimate as you plan on stopping at a few more places before the day is over. This way they know they have to work to get your business and might be less likely to severely over-charge you.

[Simms]

I'm not much of a gearhead, but a quick Google found this:

http://www.1aauto.com/1A/TimingCover...=YShopping_cut

Considering the "dealer" price quoted at that link, $1k for a timing cover seems steep, unless they're building something else into the cost. Might be worth a second (or third) opinion. Or at least call them on it, if you're not afraid of confrontation.

Definitely get it fixed, though. We had a coolant leak in our 2000 Grand Cherokee last fall, which we kept trying to get fixed, but nothing seemed to work. Finally, a couple of months ago, we found that the head gasket had cracked and the coolant was leaking into the engine. $5k later, we had a nice new rebuilt engine and several lessons learned.

[Simms]

And yeah, I echo FrogMan on the "dealer" comment. Stay away from them unless you're certain your repairs will be covered under warranty. Otherwise, you're almost certain to pay higher than you would elsewhere.

[Lathum]

Yeah the problem with shopping around is I don't have alot of time and at least at the dealership's work is guarenteed.

I just spoke with a friend who runs a repair shop for a trucking fleet and he siad all in all the cost isn't to bad so I am gonna just bite the bullet.

[BigDawg]

Everything seems fair but Timming Cover which costs about 100 bucks

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/302-E...QQcmdZViewItem

Their maybe other parts bad like timming chain but to just replace the cover parts and labor it shouldnt be more than 200 bucks.


The blue book on this is about 2000 dollars so if your only looking to get another year out of it I would do the repairs, depending on what condition the rest of the truck is you should expect after these repairs to sell it next year for say 1500 bucks if in fair condition.

[Lathum]

dola- Labor is factored into the cost

[Lathum]

Originally Posted by BigDawg

The blue book on this is about 2000 dollars so if your only looking to get another year out of it I would do the repairs, depending on what condition the rest of the truck is you should expect after these repairs to sell it next year for say 1500 bucks if in fair condition.

basicly my thoughts, at least we can get some value when we sell it/ trade it in.

[BigDawg]

Originally Posted by Lathum

Yeah the problem with shopping around is I don't have alot of time and at least at the dealership's work is guarenteed.

I just spoke with a friend who runs a repair shop for a trucking fleet and he siad all in all the cost isn't to bad so I am gonna just bite the bullet.

Press them more on this timming cover deal what is being replaced for 1K

[BigDawg]

Originally Posted by Lathum

dola- Labor is factored into the cost

Labor for replacing a timming cover is about 2 to 3 hours so even at the top end you shouldnt pay more than 150 labor to replace a cover, if its the timming belt and cover maybe.

[BigDawg]

Originally Posted by Lathum

basicly my thoughts, at least we can get some value when we sell it/ trade it in.

Sell it outright , you never get crap in a trade in on this older truck, find some high school kid and you get 1500.

[rkmsuf]

Just take it up the pooper like everyone else and like it.

[Lathum]

Originally Posted by BigDawg

Sell it outright , you never get crap in a trade in on this older truck, find some high school kid and you get 1500.

totaly. We have no intention of buying another car otherwise we would be shopping right now, I just threw that in there.

[Lathum]

Originally Posted by rkmsuf

Just take it up the pooper like everyone else and like it.

i just made the call and my ass hurts already. Good thing we have 0% interest on our credit card.

[BigDawg]

I suggest start asking freinds and co workers who does their repair work, dealerships wont even lube you up before raping you...LOL

[Coffee Warlord]

Originally Posted by BigDawg

The blue book on this is about 2000 dollars so if your only looking to get another year out of it I would do the repairs, depending on what condition the rest of the truck is you should expect after these repairs to sell it next year for say 1500 bucks if in fair condition.

I don't know a whole lot about cars (that's my fathers department), but my personal opinion has always been if the repairs are more than the book on the car, it's time to bury that thing.

[Lathum]

Originally Posted by Coffee Warlord

I don't know a whole lot about cars (that's my fathers department), but my personal opinion has always been if the repairs are more than the book on the car, it's time to bury that thing.

then what's the alternitive?

[BigDawg]

Originally Posted by Lathum

then what's the alternitive?

Find a 2000 car to tide you over 1-2 years but your taking a chance on getting some crap that needs another 2000 in repairs. You know this truck and the repairs you noted should give you another 1-2 years of use.

so if you plan to get something else next year do the repairs than sell this thing next year.

[Coffee Warlord]

Originally Posted by Lathum

then what's the alternitive?

Drop about 5 on a used car that'll last a few years.

[FrogMan]

Originally Posted by BigDawg

Find a 2000 car to tide you over 1-2 years but your taking a chance on getting some crap that needs another 2000 in repairs. You know this truck and the repairs you noted should give you another 1-2 years of use.

so if you plan to get something else next year do the repairs than sell this thing next year.

that's the sad thing about used cars, especially much older ones like this one. Even though you "know it", it still remains an old car and pretty much a lottery guess as to what will break next. I learned the hard way in the past that it's not because you've just put 1500+ on a car in repairs that you will automatically be in the clear for the next 6 to 12 months...

FM

[Lathum]

Originally Posted by Coffee Warlord

Drop about 5 on a used car that'll last a few years.

No need, once we move my fiance gets a company car again. We already have a new car that we bought 9 months ago. When we move I will use the new car and we will sell the explorer. If I am gonna sink 2,000+ into a used car I would rather have it be to fix mine then buy someone elses problem.

Everything else on my truck is in pretty good shape.

[RendeR]

Just to clarify a bit, if its the timing CHAIN that needes replaced and not just the cover then agrande for that car isn't outrageous for repairing that.

The thing with a timing chain or cover is that its flush against the front of the engine, and to do ANY thing with it you have to remove all the peripheral equipment, stearing belts/box, AC drive wheel, fan wheel, al;ternator and all the covers/connectors/wiring that goes with any of them.

What your paying out the ass for is the labor as they tac on at least a half hour to an hour for removal of each piece, and at 65-75 bucks an hour that ads up REAL fast at a dealership.

So if they really have to do something with the timing chain/cover area of the truck that is what is eating the cost, time and labor just to get at the thing.