What do you think is my van's problem and What do you think of this automotive service I recieved?

Question

My van recently suddenly started to ilde rough and when I accelerate it kind of jerks and hesitates. Not knowing if it's plugs. fuel line or whatever, I took it to the shop to have it checked out. I got a call to come pick up the van, he said that they did some work but the van but it is still running the same (not good).
Here's what they did and the price they charged:

Labor- R&R Fuel Filter - $50.40
Labor- R&R Spark Plugs- $81.90

Parts and supplies:
Gasoline additive- $15.95
Fuel Filter- $ 53.24
6 Spark Plugs- $29.88 (4.98 each)

Enviromental and shop- $4.46
charges

State Tax $7.78

Total- $230.38

The man said to run the van until the fuel and additive in the tank are gone. If that doesn't work they'll change sp plg wires.

We are in an averge size town in the southwest (US).

Do the prices and service seem reasonable to you? What is our assessment (just by reading) of what you think might be wrong? This is a late 90's model minivan.

Answer 1

It seems odd that you took it to a auto repair place and they charged you for not fixing it.

ANY reputable shop should have
1) Done a diagnostic of the problem,
1) Given an estimate and explained what needed to be done.
2) Included in the esitmate would have been the parts and labor cost,
3) Given you the option of repairing the vehicle or paying for a diagnostic.

ADDED: To me, it sounds like an ignition problem because it's a continual engine miss.
(Distributor cap and rotor)

Answer 2

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^to her
and no you dont use carb and fuel injection clearner every other time thats a waste of money..................... maybe about once every 3000-5000 miles and if you use it only get lucass brand only kind that works then pour that in then fill you tank up it mixes better



two people up^^^^^^

the van probuly dont have a cap and rotor its late ninetys so around 98 99 so it probully use coil packs but it could use but them are expensive



its probuly a tps(throttle position sensor) but if its a ford it is probuly a idle air control sesor thats not what its called but if you tell the auto parts store theyll no what your talking about..........

the iac will only be the problem if you idle high no matter aht gear your in if your in drive youll still idle at like 1800 rpm....... but thats what the problem is............................ because i chaned it on a 93 to 95 cougar and that is what the problem was.............

and them prices are way to high labor wise........ a fuel filter takkes 5 min max so that should be like $10 and spark plugs take about an hour maybe more depending on the vechile but should only cost like $50-$60 max

and if you have an engine light its probully the tps because the iac usually dont put out a code most of the time

Answer 3

When you fill your gas tank are you using fuel and carburetor injection cleaner? You should use that every other time you fill your gas tank. What I would do is take the vehicle to a garage and have a computer check done. That will tell you exactly what is wrong and how to fix it. Good Luck I hope you get your problem fixed without having to cost a lot more money.

PS. I wouldn't take it back to where you had the work done. It sounds like they just want to keep you coming back and paying more and more money.

Answer 4

they are just using you bob.hell you could have went to auto zone and get the stuff and put it on yourself cheaper then that.thats why i do my own work.i refuse to pay them the outragious prices they want.if you dont know anything about cars,get the stuff and get some shadetree mech.they will do a better job and for less pay.