He also said I should replace the plugs for a total of $300, which just happens to be all the money I have right now and I just lost my job :-(. Can I hold off on the plugs for now? The mechanic said he couldn't gaurantee how it will run. Or should I just fork it over and eat bread and water for now. BTW - I have a 2001 Mercure Sable GS
2007-08-28 06:21:28 · 10 answers · asked by rec girl 4 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Yeah, I am 30-something single mom that knows nothing about cars and i need it fixed today.
2007-08-28 06:31:59 · update #1
I don't know where you are so I will have to assume a few things. You said "Incl. diagnostic" so we can assume the diagnostic probably cost about $50 to $60 and the rest of the charge is retail price for the pcv valve and the labor to install it and any other hoses or whatever for the vacuum leak. I believe that is certainly high priced mechanic work but if it's a dealership it's probably not unreasonable for your area.
I am like the rest of the answerers to advise you to just pay the diagnostic fee and get out of there. You can go online and get instructions to replace the pcv valve yourself. You can go to Auto Zone or O'Reillys and get one and any hoses you may need. Talk to your friends and find out who knows how to change spark plugs and offer to clean his house if he will change them for you.
I also have a 2001 Sable. Email me with any questions. I don't mind helping if I can.
2007-08-28 07:33:13 · answer #1 · answered by bigrick45 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That slime is just trying to take all your money. Oil change places routinely replace PCV valves. They cost about 6 bucks a piece and take 30 seconds to install. And you can hold off on the plugs for a while as long as all cylinders are firing. They'll only run about $36 for a good set and take 1/2 hour to change. It's hard to believe anybody could be that big a crook to charge $300.
2007-08-28 21:07:13 · answer #2 · answered by Nomadd 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You're being ripped off...a PCV valve costs less than 10 bucks in most cases, and spark plugs, even the expensive ones cost less than 5 bucks apiece. You can replace the PCV valve yourself...in most cases, you don't even need tools.
Hard to say if you need the plugs with the information provided, I'm assuming you took it to the mechanic because it was running poorly....
I'd replace the PCV first, but I wouldn't pay him $100.00 to do what you could do yourself...if it still runs poorly, you might want to consider replacing the plugs...but more often than not it's bad plug wires causing poor drivability--it's hot under that hood, and they break down over time. I'd bet they're the ones that came on the car, right?
2007-08-28 13:34:44 · answer #3 · answered by Galaxie500XL 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
a pcv valve for that car is about 6 bucks the diagnostic should be about $75 but shops prices differ if the car isnt misfiring or it isnt running poorly the plugs can wait but changing those should be about $70-$100 parts and labor it doesnt take more than an hour to do it so 300 is too much
2007-08-28 16:18:28 · answer #4 · answered by anthentherwasi 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A PCV is a relatively inexpensive piece to replace probably about $5.00, and if you have a friend who is mechanically inclined, spark plugs can be replaced for about $20.00., The vacuume leak could be as simple as a small piec of rubber hose, Talk to another mechanic, If you car isnt running tooo bad ,, the plugs can probably wait.
2007-08-28 13:31:43 · answer #5 · answered by sam_fugate2003 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If the pvc hose is leaking, just wrap some electrical tape around the leaking area and replace the pcv valve yourself if necessary. Parts stores should have them for 5-10.00 --they can show you how to put it on and the electrical tape as well. Leave the plugs for now or check around at some other shops for a price quote.
2007-08-28 14:18:14 · answer #6 · answered by paul h 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What!!!! You are being ripped.
The PCV valve in your car costs $7.59 and will install in 30 secs. pull the old one off, pull two hoses. Stick the new valve in, insert two hoses. That's it.
The set of spark plugs will cost you $25, and can be switched in 30 mins.
Dealers charge between 50 - 70 dlls the labor hours, and other mechanics will charge less.
Do your math.
2007-08-28 13:39:08 · answer #7 · answered by Wrenchmeister 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
a PVC valve is less than ten bucks. mostly likely that is your major problem . buy the valve first put it om and see if the engine runs better. plugs are not your immediate threat if that solves the problem. that is too pricey to replace a less then 10 dollar part and 20 bucks worth of plugs. you figure the rest out
2007-08-28 13:38:17 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
a pcv valve is 20 dollars and very easy to put on your self
2007-08-28 13:26:38 · answer #9 · answered by CESAR Z 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
*** that i replaced mine a few mon ago and where did i get it? Wal Mart for $4.00.
2007-08-28 13:36:47 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋