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Mechanic charging me too much?


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JoRo88
Novice

Feb 13, 2008, 10:21 PM

Post #1 of 8 (1990 views)
Mechanic charging me too much? Sign In

My mechanic wants to charge me $80/h for 3 hours ($240) for a diagnosis. I thought he had initially said $80 for a diagnosis but now I am second guessing myself. I'm not very familiar with pricing in the auto repair industry. Does this sound like too much for a diagnosis?

btw, he says I have a bad crank rod, and from the clanking noise my car is making, I don't really doubt him. He seems to have a good reputation.


Thnx


way2old
Veteran / Moderator
way2old profile image

Feb 14, 2008, 5:51 AM

Post #2 of 8 (1985 views)
Re: Mechanic charging me too much? Sign In

Is it a diagnostic fee, or a tear down and inspection fee? Usually a diagnostic fee is just 1/2 hour to an hour. Sounds like he wants to tear into the engine to be absolutely sure of the problem.



Being way2old is why I need help from younger minds


JoRo88
Novice

Feb 14, 2008, 7:32 AM

Post #3 of 8 (1981 views)
Re: Mechanic charging me too much? Sign In

I had originally thought it was bad water pump bearings and wanted the water pump and timing belt replaced. But he tested the water pump and said it was fine, so he decided to dig deeper and find out what the problem really is.. I thought it was just a diagnostic fee, I guess I didn't expect to keep being charged $80 an hour just to find the problem. I know it must not have been easy to figure out, but it just seems a lot for a diagnostic. Crazy

1999 Dodge Avenger ES
2.5L V6
~90,000 miles


JoRo88
Novice

Feb 14, 2008, 7:36 AM

Post #4 of 8 (1979 views)
Re: Mechanic charging me too much? Sign In

I thought he told me crank rod (maybe I got it mixed up), but whatever connects the piston to the rest of the engine.


dave284
Enthusiast / Moderator
dave284 profile image

Feb 14, 2008, 8:11 AM

Post #5 of 8 (1977 views)
Re: Mechanic charging me too much? Sign In

You mean connecting rod?


JoRo88
Novice

Feb 14, 2008, 10:57 AM

Post #6 of 8 (1974 views)
Re: Mechanic charging me too much? Sign In

I'm sorry I don't know better - I had a hard time understanding what he was saying. Connecting rod sounds about right. He said something about rod bearings, that it would not make sense to try and replace them. Any help?


JoRo88
Novice

Feb 14, 2008, 11:11 AM

Post #7 of 8 (1973 views)
Re: Mechanic charging me too much? Sign In

I just called him to reverify:

a connecting rod bearing is bad - he says it won't help to replace the bearing because it is an aluminum rod - which stretches - so a new bearing won't last. now he's putting it back together. looks like I'm out of luck here?

thnx for your help


Guest
Anonymous Poster

Feb 15, 2008, 2:06 PM

Post #8 of 8 (1956 views)
Re: Mechanic charging me too much? Sign In

Just to end this thread - I paid the mechanic $240 for a diagnosis - it was a fair price for all the work he did in locating the problem. I'm going to save up for a new engine and have him replace it. Thanks for your help!






 
 
 






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