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Paying For an estimate for auto repair.
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carminejg3
User
Aug 23, 2006, 12:01 PM
Post #1 of 9
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Paying For an estimate for auto repair.
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Does anyone know if the owner operated auto repair shops charge for an estimate of repair. I've heard of a corporate chain charging as much as $89 to just look at a car and give you an estimate of what they think is wrong with the car.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Aug 23, 2006, 12:55 PM
Post #2 of 9
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Re: Paying For an estimate for auto repair.
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YES!! A place near me charges $91 for looking at your car!! They will usually deduct that if you have the work done there.
I never did that and It was MY shop! If I found a problem that I couldn't' take on or perhaps figure out right in front of a customer if they wished would set them up with a shop (friends in biz) to get their problem fixed. Other trades have been doing that for years. It's a strategy to not have you shop around all the time and take up theirs for free, T
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carminejg3
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Aug 23, 2006, 1:01 PM
Post #3 of 9
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Re: Paying For an estimate for auto repair.
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tom the best part, was they diagnosed a bad catalytic converter because they sad there was a tempurture drop after the Cat. They also missed an exhaust leak in front of the catalytic converter itself.
They also said that They the car would need a new OEM cat for $1300.... and that an aftermarket catalytic converter wouldn't pass an emissions test.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Aug 23, 2006, 3:32 PM
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Re: Paying For an estimate for auto repair.
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I have a problem with that price!! Why does it have to be OEM? Does that mean aftermarket parts are illegal? I think NOT!
If you believe that diagnosis and it's possible I bet you could get one custom fit from a chain muffler place for less than half that.
At this point with that price I'd do some shopping.
Good luck and let us know how you make out with this, T
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carminejg3
User
Aug 23, 2006, 10:19 PM
Post #5 of 9
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Re: Paying For an estimate for auto repair.
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they left the store and are looking to contact the better business bureau to see what happens, they are seeking a refund.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Aug 24, 2006, 3:46 AM
Post #6 of 9
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Re: Paying For an estimate for auto repair.
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I don't know what kind of car that was but it still sounds way too expensive.
There's enough work out there to keep everyone busy in many trades.
I just love it when I need work, home, car or whatever to be able to say to people "do what you would do if it was yours" and let them have at it.
Take care of the people who treat you right, T
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carjunky
Enthusiast
Aug 24, 2006, 6:05 AM
Post #7 of 9
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Re: Paying For an estimate for auto repair.
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Shows you need to research your car problems before seeking service, unless you find a shop you can trust. Which this is another case of a few bad apples spoil the bunch.
I think for the most part most shops are fair, and when they give an estimate its fair
Shop around and ask for a few referrals. Then mention to the shop that... "Hey Jon told me you could help me out" this way the shop knows someone recommended youto them.
Shops like the one above on busy roads tend to not attract many regular customers and we can see why.
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DanD
Veteran
/ Moderator
Aug 24, 2006, 1:41 PM
Post #8 of 9
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Re: Paying For an estimate for auto repair.
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I agree that you need to do research and get references; this is for any type of service that someone is going to provide for you. Look at it this way 50% of Doctors finished at the bottom half of their graduating class and we trust them with our lives. LOL.
I’m a garage owner and a technician; yes I charge a diagnostic fee for driveability (sp) or electronic issues; 75% of the repair with these issues is an accurate diagnosis.
Believe me it’s not like back in the seventies that a mechanic could walk out and listen to the engine and know what the likely cause of the problem is.
Today’s vehicles have more electronics and control devices installed on them then what any of the Apollo Moon mission spacecraft’s had. We also were not born with the ability to diagnose these systems nor did we design them. We’ve gone to countless hours of in class training to become familiar with the different systems. As soon as I seem to get a handle on a particular system the manufacturer brings out a “new and improved system” and the whole process of more training and new equipment starts all over again.
So if the shoe was on the other foot (yours); You’ve just spent all this time and money getting ready to attack these vehicles; wouldn’t you charge to diagnose an emissions, drivablity or electronic problems???
The way the converter in question was tested is not a very accurate test; all it tells us is that the converter has or hasn't come on line (fired up). Why this one was not on line who knows, the exhaust leak in front of the converter may be diluting the exhaust gases to the point that the chemical reaction between the catalyst and gases will not take place. Or the exhaust leak, which will also suck air into the exhaust system is cooling the gases to the point the converter is not reaching the 450-degree it needs to fire up. Did the person testing the converter not precondition it (allow it to heat up) before he did the test?
The use of a gas analyzer is the best/only way of testing a converter (Analyzers are worth about $12,000 by the way). You would take a pre converter reading of the gases by drilling a small test port/hole in front of the converter; that’s to insert the sampling tube. Then a post converter gas reading at the tail pipe. Using these readings along with a math formula you can calculate the efficiency of the converter. Anything below 65 or 75% efficiency is considered bad. This all takes time to do; time is money but it will confirm whether the converter is functioning and how well it’s functioning.
Also doing this sort of test will show you how inferior the after market converters are. Out of all the different after market converters I’ve tested I don’t think I have ever found one any more then about 70% efficient.
It doesn’t take a lot of figuring to understand why the after market converters are so much cheaper. The bean counters that design them are taking the input gases of a “perfect” running engine and only putting enough of the Rhodium, Platinum and Palladium (the three metals that make up the catalyst) in their cans to convert and reduce that percentage of gases.
These converters do not last because they are so over taxed. Yea they may get you through an emission test when they are brand new but by the time you need the next test this converter has likely burnt itself out. Or you’ve had to have it replaced due to it being plugged because of an internal melt down.
The manufacturer of the vehicle knows that there is no such a thing as an engine that will always run perfectly and they have to stand behind this vehicle making sure it passes emission standards, and not give any problems. So they make sure they put a large enough converter there to get the job done and keep doing it’s job for the length of the warranty of the vehicle. If they thought they could get away with hanging a $100. converter under there don’t you think they would?
If you’re going to put on an after market converter throw away the application guide and install the largest universal that will fit under your car. At least that way you’re giving it a fighting chance to stay alive.
My biggest concern would be what killed the original converter? Over fueling, spark plug misfiring something had to have hurt the converter?
An instructor at the collage told me this a long time ago “ Catalytic converters don’t die of natural causes they are murdered”.
Sorry for such a long post; I was going to reply with DO YOU WORK FOR NOTHING! But then I thought I would give you my, a garage owner and technicians point of view.
Dan.
Canadian "EH"
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carminejg3
User
Aug 24, 2006, 2:05 PM
Post #9 of 9
(1619 views)
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Re: Paying For an estimate for auto repair.
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Dan thanks.
That post was very informational. And a lot better then "DO YOU WORK FOR NOTHING! " I know that an aftermarket cat, will likely die, but the main concern was one that they didn't even detect the leak and that they went after the main item for the most money even though it may be the most likly cause.
You also mentioned a good point, what did kill the current cat if it was in fact dead? They didn't seem to care and you would think that they could have at least said you need a new cat inorder to pass inspection, and that we suggest you fix this Over fueling problem caused by so and so.... or you will have to replace this again in a few years.
nope it was the cat is bad and you need a new oem cat from that we can get from the dealer.
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