Dealer Just Gave Outrageous Estimates!!

[mweiss]

My wife's 2006 Explorer 4 liter OHV is in the dealer for a few items. The service dept just called me with an estimate much higher than they originally told me to brace for (which was $900-1000).

This is the estimate from the Ford dealer for some work on our truck:

Wrench light (drive train fault) caused by bad Throttle Body. $915 to replace. Part is about $500.

New thermostat: $310

Blower motor resistor (for first two fan speeds): $170

She also said the radiator is beginning to leak: $1300. (Said the condenser and front bumper have to come off to replace radiator)

She noted that the Stabilizer Bar Links have fallen off: $285

I'm in shock at these prices. They seem like 6-8 times what they should be!

I'm pondering just going to my regular mechanic (inconvenient because I have to leave the car and he doesn't provide loaner cars).

What do you all think about this? Should I decline the repairs and consider alternative?

 

[Machine090767]

Is the 2006 a 4.0? if so, it is an SOHC NOT an OHV.
Those prices are about right, including installation.
However, take it to your mechanic for a 2nd opinion, and what his prices are.

 

[mweiss]

Is the 2006 a 4.0? if so, it is an SOHC NOT an OHV.
Those prices are about right, including installation.
However, take it to your mechanic for a 2nd opinion, and what his prices are.

Please tell me you're kidding!! That's like four months' income for me.

It is a 4.0 liter V6. But really, 3 hours labor to change a thermostat?

$500 is the parts cost they would charge for a throttle body, but I found one on eBay for $115. And according to posts on this forum, it's not necessary to replace--it can be cleaned.

Is it really necessary to remove the front bumper and condenser coil to replace the radiator? $1300 for that.

I'm shock.

I called my regular mechanic for an estimate. I may just let the dealer do the fluid changes and take it to my mech for the other stuff.

 

[swshawaii]

New Milford, CT 06776
http://repairpal.com/estimator

Parts and Labor:

Throttle Body N/A
Thermostat Replacement $104-$144 ($310)
Heater Blower Motor Resistor Replacement $72-$280 ($170)
Radiator Replacement $684-$1019 ($1300)
Sway Bar End Link Replacement - Front - Both Sides $114-$163 ($285)

 

[RangerX]

A dealer charging high rates for repairs!?! Shocking!!
Maybe it's your first time with repairs, but dealers are well known for that.
Your Ex is ten years old, and out of warranty, use your regular mechanic.

 

[Trac Marks]

My front stabilizer bar end links both fell off. I drove the truck for who knows how long with them MIA. Noticed their absence when I crawled underneath to change the oil one weekend. $14.99 and 20 minutes later, this non-mechanic had them both replaced.

You seem nice, I'll save you $100 and do yours for $185.

I also replaced my leaking radiator without removing (???) the bumper or condenser.

 

[Harpua216]

those dealer prices seem right and thats why most of use come here. I have done each one of those projects more than i care to admit and although I am above average mechanically, i know maybe just enough to be more dangerous than anything when it comes to my creative ideas for fixing stuff. with that said.

if you have access to general tools, and maybe a friend or two that would lend ya a couple you dont have, they are all doable.

when i dont want to or cant get dirty, what i like to do is find a good mechanic that can diagnose that same problems (generally) that I think it is, that lets me bring the parts to him.

outrageous, yes. shocking, not at all.

 

[mweiss]

That RepairPal estimator sure puts things into perspective.

I think what has happened here is that our warranty ran out, as the last time I went to have it serviced, the bill was about $100. (Deductable).

So my mistake was relying on habit, and going to the same dealer.

The latest news is that the fluid changes (the original thing I wanted done) are going to cost $620 and we're already on the hook for $950, which includes the time the tech spent inspecting our vehicle. Mind you, the initial 'estimate' they told me and what they said they would put a hold on our CC for was $900-1000 for the list of things I mentioned, plus the fluid changes. They were 300% over their estimate after they looked at it.

My wife is telling me to decline ALL work. So we're going to be on the hook for half a grand for nothing.

I'm waiting for my trusty mechanic to get back to me on second opinion.

Back in the 80s, there used to be garage rentals, where you could pay a flat hourly rate and rent a garage to do your work on your own car. But that ended some time in the 90s due to liability concerns. As such, I don't have a place to do this work. I used to do stuff like replace radiators, starters and carburetors when I had my '68 Caddy and my '73 Olds, but those cars were easy to work on and that was before I was crippled by a negligent driver in 2007. Now I can't do much because of debilitating back pain. I can get as far as changing an air cleaner now, and on a good day, I have managed to change engine oil, but anything where I have to lean over something for more than a few seconds, the pain and the long term re-injury it causes leaves me stuck in bed for a week or more.

 

[Explorer_PL]

Mark -

Decline all work. It's 10 year old truck like mine, and it's so common type, any garage should do those for half.

Better, most of the staff you can probably do. Clean the TB, change the thermostat yourself. My v8 radiator was $ 190 on ebay, and no bumper or condenser removal was needed, just 4-5 hours of work. 70k miles later it's still good.

 

[swshawaii]

This should come as no surprise. IOW, support local independent ASE certified shops. Google, one of MANY articles.

So where does the majority of a dealership's profit come from?

It's not from car sales, at least not directly. It's from the service and parts department,
which accounts for 44 percent of the dealership's gross profits, according to NADA.

http://www.edmunds.com/car-buying/where-does-the-car-dealer-make-money.html

 

[edwx]

Agree with most of what is said. Decline the work. Get that second opinion if you want. Take your time, roll up your sleeves, do the research, and start fixing the stuff yourself if possible. That's what this forum is for. Most of us hate dealers. I only have shade tree mechanic tools, and am not mechanically inclined, but I HATE being ripped off, and that is my incentive for defeating these STEALERS.

 

[mweiss]

Agree with most of what is said. Decline the work. Get that second opinion if you want. Take your time, roll up your sleeves, do the research, and start fixing the stuff yourself if possible. That's what this forum is for. Most of us hate dealers. I only have shade tree mechanic tools, and am not mechanically inclined, but I HATE being ripped off, and that is my incentive for defeating these STEALERS.

So here's what they billed me for today, when I picked up the vehicle:

Transmission fluid change, front/rear diff fluid change, transfer case oil change, fix cigarette lighter (disconnected wire in center console) and a diagnostic of the wrench light. Cost? $1000. That's after declining work.

I wish I were able to bend over an engine and had a proper place to work, but I have spinal damage from a 2007 car crash and pay dearly for any stupid attempts at doing physical labor. Last year in March, just the act of bending under a desk to change DIMM memory on a computer cost me a week of bedrest, unable to roll over without assistance, and unable to walk without a cane for five months. Now I don't do any bending at all, just to be safe. The most I can manage is doing an oil change. I did one last week. As long as I'm not leaning forward and putting strain on certain injured muscle groups, I can perform certain, limited tasks.

Two months ago, I tried to crawl under the dash on the passenger side to access the fan resistor, and my back gave me a severe and sharp pain, and I had to abort the mission.

 

[Explorer_PL]

OK Mark

That's a different story. Find a shop to do this stuff. Even by dealer standards, what they did is outrages.

It's almost a crime......

Sad

Get better.

 

[mweiss]

OK Mark

That's a different story. Find a shop to do this stuff. Even by dealer standards, what they did is outrages.

It's almost a crime......

Sad

Get better.

I'm thinking of filing a complaint with Amex.

 

[Harpua216]

I'm thinking of filing a complaint with Amex.

I would. you may find that bilking customers is their forte. it only takes one more straw of hay to break the camels back they say.

 

[mweiss]

I found out that changing the thermostat takes 11 minutes. So I bought one and will try to replace it this week. If I get into trouble with my back, that'll be my problem I guess, but dogonnit, I'm gonna try!

 

[cfchurchill89]

I'm not a professional mechanic by any means, but mechanically inclined and curious haha. I have personally done all those things myself (minus rad replacement), on at least 1 vehicle, and they are simple. Some times a little tedious, but easily done in a garage or on a driveway.

Resisters for the blower motors are located usually behind the glove box, and only a couple bolts hold them in, and usually only a ~$30 part, even from Ford. I find they usually take me about 10 minutes to replace.

Thermostats are also simple, around 1-2 hours depending how well they are hidden. And a $10-15 part from most part dealers.

Cleaning the throttle body can be done by either taking it off completely, or just the rubber boot that connects to the air intake (filter housing). You can just wipe it down with a cloth that will not leave fibers, or enlist the help of someone, and rev the engine while spraying throttle body cleaner on the TB (revving opens the TB, and also helps it from stalling out).

Doing these yourself will save you an enormous amount of money, if you're able to get them done. Lots of DIY guides to be found online (YouTube is great).

 

[willied]

Any update on this situation, mweiss? Were you able to change your thermostat? Did you try to get your money back from the dealer?

 

[StevenStebo]

IT's only gonna get worse. The dealer is there to make boatloads of your money and convince you to buy a new car! That's why independent mechanics like myself are so busy. Find a reputable guy near you and get him to look at it!