parts / maintenance issues

[second_storie]

i acquired my sport trac with 72.5k miles on it. i drove it for roughly 500 miles, and figured i might as well get the oil changed as i have no clue when the last owner had it done.

the ford dealership i took it to, told me the brakes are shot. the front being down to 4mm, the rear down to 2mm. estimate was $400 for both to be replaced.

they also 'advised' me that the water pump is leaking, and estimated that at $495. misc problems listed on their little diagnostic work-sheet are the water and fuel filters, and brake lines.

i havent driven a truck in about 5 years (had a 350z previously, little to no parts issues for that entire time...) so i'm a bit clueless as to how much to expect these things to cost. for some reason, that just seems a bit outrageous. a water pump replacement.. $500...?

if anyone could guide me a little as to how much to expect to pay for the parts and / or labor, i'd surely appreciate it. i want to take care of my truck, but do not want to be taken advantage of.

many thanks, many blessings.
-william

 

[Clusterpup]

Dealerships are expensive, find a good mechanic.

Or you could always learn how to change your brakes, the front is pretty easy, the rears are little more difficult. Pads and shoes only cost $50 each set.

 

[sickwilly]

Sounds like they need to make quota.

You can get the brakes done at several other places than the dealer for less.

Are you needing to add coolant periodically, if not, then the water leaking from the weep hole on the water pump sounds fishy. If so, then this is a sign that your water pump, indeed, is starting to go.

Get under the truck and look at the bake lines yourself.

Fuel pump sounds legit, its a every 30K miles maintenance item on these trucks.

 

[Branchy]

The front brakes are very easy to do yourself. I've never had to replace drums tho, so i have no idea about that, but since the majority of the braking power is with the front brakes, i'd say fix them yourself, and wait for the rears.

I know that dealersh*ts are always outrageously priced, I'll never pay one to fix anything for me.

 

[chad551]

they also 'advised' me that the water pump is leaking, and estimated that at $495. misc problems listed on their little diagnostic work-sheet are the water and fuel filters, and brake lines.

-william

Where is the water filter located? And what part of the brake line is bad? (Hard or soft lines?) Fuel Filter will take about 5 minutes to replace yourself after you buy the little tool that is about $9.00 if that.

Brakes and rotors are super simple. My truck never saw the dealer unless it was a warranty repair. Figure a dealer will be about 2-3 times the price of private shop.

 

[second_storie]

many thanks for the responses.

a major problem is that i couldnt feasibly replace the brakes myself, unless i drove to my uncles house a few hours away to do so. i live in a very dense metropolis-style area (UCLA), and in a dorm. i have exactly 0 tools here.

driving up there might not be a bad idea though.. he'd love to work on it with me, plus i could get a good refresher-education on my trucks parts. last one i had was an 00 sonomoa... blegh. thankfully i've got this now =]

...
the part that concerns me the most, is the water pump. they said $495. wtf? i know dealerships are overpriced.. but 500 bucks? searching for water pumps on the internet gave me price ranges of $30-60, and $50-100 or so.

i've not added coolant in the almost 1k miles i've put on the truck. it doesnt seem to be varying one way or the other, as far as temperature on the dash. usually, just about in the middle.

i have not yet used the AC in the truck though... i'm right by the beach, and temps arent above 80-85.. windows down for me =)

again, many thanks for the responses.

 

[Clusterpup]

Fuel Filter will take about 5 minutes to replace yourself after you buy the little tool that is about $9.00 if that.

What is this tool you speak of?

 

[chad551]

Fuel filter removing tool. You have to use this tool to unlock the clips inside the fuel line.

 

[sickwilly]

Personally, I would tell then I will be back on the water pump once I save up the money, and then I would drive it and watch the level each and every fill up with gas. If it does not change, then I don't think I am going back to that dealer again.

 

[second_storie]

since the oil change and having been informed of the 'leaking water pump...etc', i've put a few hundred miles on the truck, driven in the city in west Los Angeles' wonderful stop-and-go everywhere.

i've noticed exactly 0 change in any guage on the dash, and havent noticed a leak from the undercarriage. i suppose i'm gonna make the trip up north, visit with my uncle and do a thorough once-over with the truck, and hopefully make right any wrongs the good old fashioned way.

many thanks.

 

[Joe Dirt]

Awesome decision... Dealerships exaggerate sometimes.

This is the fuel line removal tool...

 

[Clusterpup]

Thanks Joe

 

[riknard]

prices...

...

the part that concerns me the most, is the water pump. they said $495. wtf? i know dealerships are overpriced.. but 500 bucks? searching for water pumps on the internet gave me price ranges of $30-60, and $50-100 or so.

...

The prices you mentioned above seem about right, and guessing the dealer would be in the $100+ range for their price. The rest is probably labor, and I've seen labor charges posted in various dealers (Ford and others) at anywhere from $75-80 per hour or even higher. Most dealers and some mechanics have a predetermined estimate of the time it takes to do jobs like that, and will charge you that, whether it takes that long or not. Can't see it as a 5 hour job, but I haven't dug under the hood of a vehicle since the late '70s, when the not-so-old vehicles from the previous ages still had room to do stuff. Just my opinion.

Also, since you report that the coolant level isn't changing, you may not have a leak, but see if someone can give you a second (and free) opinion, just in case.