The dealership wants to charge me $554 for changing spark plugs, fuel filters, and cleaning injectors?

Question

Does this sound like a reasonable cost for a 2002 Hyundai Accent?

Answer 1

Your joking right?

Are they cleaning the injectors or completely replacing them?

Parts from a dealership is a little more expensive, and they charge for their expertise, but I still wouldn't expect the total cost to run more than $250 from a dealership.

Answer 2

Hey Rick, Motorhead has a pretty comprehensive answer, it's all stuff you'd find in the Bentley Service Manual. THAT'S where I'd begin... Go and get the service manual for the vehicle. If you've done all the work you described yourself? You shouldn't have any problem following the troubleshooting guides in there. About the only tools you're going to need that you might not already have are a multimeter and a test light. A question for you though... Was the van sitting for any considerable period of time? If it was you might want to change out the fuel filter. When you pull the old filter check and see what comes out. Also check ALL THE SOFT LINES and replace any that are cracked or old. Fuel fires are no fun and your van is gettin up there in years.

Answer 3

No. It is not reasonable.

Dealerships tend to be more expensive than garages/mechanics, but this is way above what it should be for the three things mentioned.

You could look into changing the plugs by yourself. A flexible-head wrench and socket are inexpensive and will stay available for future use.

Cleaning the injectors actually CAN be done by adding liquid injector cleaners to the fuel. You pour a bottle of it in the tank when filling it. If you have problems with the system, but the engine still runs fairly well, use two bottles of injector cleaner.

Run the car until the fuel is almost gone before re-filling.

Usually, this simple and inexpensive technique will work.

My cars do get checked by dealers for other services, including emission/exhaust output, and they have always received top rating.

I began using fuel injector cleaners more than fifteen years ago, and have yet to have a problem with them or with the results they deliver.

Answer 4

I don't have personal experience with Hyundai, but it sounds outrageous. You can look online at websites like Advance Auto Parts:

http://www.advanceautoparts.com

and find the parts that you need, and get the part price. Spark plugs are only a couple dollars a piece, and if Fram or other companies are making the fuel filters, they should be more reasonable than what the dealer charges. If you have a local mechanic who you know is honest you should get a quote from him. If you don't know one, you can go to:

http://www.cartalk.com/

and they have a place where you can put in your zip code and find a local mechanic. I think that you should end up with a bill half of what the dealer is charging....

Answer 5

I used to drive a 2001 Accent for a courier company and I changed the spark plugs myself. EXTREMELY easy, because they were right up front and easy to reach!! If you can't do it, then get a friend to do it. Give him $5!!

To clean injectors, go to Walmart Auto dept, buy a $5 bottle of gas cleaner in a metal bottle. Use it for one gas tank, and injectors should be cleaned. To make sure add another bottle about 2 fill-ups LATER. (When you refill after the first gas tank of additive, there's always still some left in tank to help clean thru 2nd tank of gas.)

The fuel filter might be harder. Might need a mechanic for that. Check around with friends and family for a good local mechanic who might change your fuel filter for much cheaper than $500 from dealer!!! Might only cost $60 for fuel filter by mechanic. So you've now saved over $400!!!

If you enjoy saving that $400, you can send me 10% at.........

Answer 6

Absolutely not! You can change the plugs and fuel filter yourself. Add a can of 3M fuel injector / combustion chamber cleaner in your fuel tank and save $500.00. Foreign car companies have a habit of gouging the tar out of people because their basic parts are 33-50% more expensive than the American Chrysler, Ford or GM. What you may save in gas mileage you pay dearly on the other end.

Answer 7

I have worked at several Dealerships over the past ten years, Anytime that you take your vehicle to the dealer for repairs that are not under warranty you will usually pay about twice the price to have the same work performed by an independent shop or a shop like midas. The dealer uses something called flag hours, that means if THEIR book shows that job takes 3 hours that is what they will charge you, regardless of the actual time it will take. I Hope this info helps you..

Answer 8

whatzz no way man that way to much for mainance
go to a local auto chop most of them are as good or better than dealer .
sparkplugs $60
fuel filters about $100
cleannig injectors about $60 good luck

all this is including labor don,t pay more than $200 for this services

Answer 9

no. it sounds very high. I paid approx $175 for a package like that at Midas earlier this year. A dealer is not the best place for routine work-they'e too expensive.

Answer 10

dealerships are always the highest places. Check with local mechanic shops.