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Mechanic charging me too much?
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JoRo88
Novice
Feb 13, 2008, 10:21 PM
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Mechanic charging me too much?
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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
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way2old
Veteran
/ Moderator
Feb 14, 2008, 5:51 AM
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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
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JoRo88
Novice
Feb 14, 2008, 7:32 AM
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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. 1999 Dodge Avenger ES 2.5L V6 ~90,000 miles
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JoRo88
Novice
Feb 14, 2008, 7:36 AM
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I thought he told me crank rod (maybe I got it mixed up), but whatever connects the piston to the rest of the engine.
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dave284
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/ Moderator
Feb 14, 2008, 8:11 AM
Post #5 of 8
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You mean connecting rod?
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JoRo88
Novice
Feb 14, 2008, 10:57 AM
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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?
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JoRo88
Novice
Feb 14, 2008, 11:11 AM
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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
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Guest
Anonymous Poster
Feb 15, 2008, 2:06 PM
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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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