Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Am I on drugs?

[TurboSandman]

I just got off the phone with the service manager at my five star $$$$$ dealership (no flames please, it was for the throttle linkage and hood latch recalls). I thought (my second mistake) that while the truck was there, the dealer could change the oil in my NV4500 and Dana 60. No big deal, right; just a little oil and they are already set up to recycle it or whatever.



Grab your chairs; for the NV4500; $200 :--) oil change only.



For the Dana 60; $150 for some new fangled flush and fill.



Is it just me or does this seem a little high to any of you? Let me know what you think, I'll be sitting here at my computer, slowly rocking back and forth

 

[DKayser]

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

Did they kiss you first?

 

[csevers]

I hope that dealer is paying there mechanics at least $30 an hr for the "premium" service they are giving you . It is very hard to believe that the dealerships still have work coming in with what they charge/extort some times.



The last time I changed the diff it was about $50 worth of Oem oil to do it and the first time I changed the 6spd oil it was like $75 so they are cliping you $100 to do the diff and $125 for trans just in labor, either one should take less than 1 hr to do.



Craig

 

[TurboSandman]

I choked on the service; they are done with the recall work and I will pick it up with dirty transmission and diff oil. I guess I am done with them, as well.



I can see why so many change their own. I have changed injectors, shocks, springs and TST plate and installed AFC and GSK kits, so I guess I can change oil.



Now, to call Standard Transmission for a gallon of Syntorq.

 

[DKayser]

Sorry

Sorry for the cheap shot, just couldn`t resist. I used to live in Granite City, Illinois. Chesterfield was kind of an upper crust then. Anyway, guess I`m lucky. Dealer here sends service coupons to regular customers for deals on LOF & other work. My LOF costs for the last year have been $34. 95- $38. 95 ! With Delo ! They have also matched internet prices on Mopar accessories . Heck, they host BOMB parties & let us have air/power to work in the lot. Good folks, & I WILL buy next truck ,if there is one, from them. Peterson Stampede Dodge, Nampa, Idaho. Oo. Oo. Oo.

 

[TurboSandman]

No cheap shot taken.



I feel the same way, just glad I called them before they started the work. I left it late last night without a chance to talk with them, after all, we are ONLY talking an oil change here.



Live and learn.

 

[y-knot]

Man good thing i'm sitting down! That's almost robbery.

 

[BV]

A little high in my book - For the price of the flush/fill on your Dana 60, I changed front diff, tcase, rear diff, filled the tank and had enough for the beer.

 

[Hammer]

TurboSandman...

With that price and you being in the "Show Me" state I'd wait a little time and as soon as Rammin On has his shop up and running in St James have him do it. He is one of the best Cummins mechanics and knows his way around these trucks. BTW,beware though a trip to his shop can and will be hard on your wallet,especially if he takes you for a ride in his own truck ... ... . Andy



P. S. -With about an hour of time and the fluids to do it you can have it done yourself,with no need for a "special flushing of the rear" and save yourself a ton.

 

[scotmartin]

And we can't call em stealers!

Ask them to show you the "book rate" for their time. It can't be more than a couple hours total. At $75 per hour that would still only be $150. That would mean that your fluid and gaskets (if used) come to $200. I think that when challenged, they may back down and give you a partial refund. Does your state have a BAR. Bureau of Automotive Repair? Drop that name, and they may jump. You have every right to some money back. Make em squirm.



Scot

 

[bighammer]

No, you're not on drugs. THEY ARE! (must be expen$ive ones too )

 

[TurboSandman]

I brought it home from the **ealer a few hours ago and the throttle linkage repair has almost totally eliminated the bucking I had. Who knows about the secondary hood latch.



I did not have the diff and trans work done, but had them diagnose the A/C after having to add 3 cans of R-134A over the Summer. I bought an extended warranty when I bought the truck used 2 years ago and figured (wrongly) that it should cover it. Since I was only a half pound low, they drained the entire system and recharged it, along with some UV dye (I told them I put some in this August) for $130. They could not find any leaks and suggested I come back in 500 miles for a recheck to see if the new dye has leaked. Since I am in it this deep, I guess I will go back for a check, but with no authorization for repair unless it is covered.



On a brighter note, I talked at length with one of the actual wrench twisters and he felt it was likely the evaporator coil as they had not seen any of my dye anywhere else. I say brighter as that would be covered by the extended warranty and yes, I will be adding Geno's A/C air filter AFTER the evaporator is replaced. He went on to say that much of the time, an evaporator leak is so slow that it doesn't trigger a leak detector and the UV dye doesn't show as it is buried in the dash.



I will have to check with Rammin On as I get pretty close to St. James on a regular basis. An honest mechanic is worth the drive.



Thanks for putting up with my rant; any and all advice is welcome and may save someone else a lot of grief.

 

[Hammer]

"I will have to check with Rammin On as I get pretty close to St. James on a regular basis. An honest mechanic is worth the drive. "



Turbosandman...

Once you meet Keith and his wife you will have met to of the finest TDR people ever. Keith's knowledge of these motors and trucks is amazing so it will be worth the trip or the stop. But I will heed you once again,HIDE YOUR WALLET!!!!... . LOL. A trip out in his truck and your ruined for life..... Sorry Keith,I had to do it. Let me see if I can get a pic resized for you to see what I mean... ... Andy

 

[BreaksEverything]

SOMEONE CALL 911



TurboSandman was just beaten & gang raped

 

[JGK]

I watched a mechanic do a "flush and fill" service on a rear-end one day while waiting for some warranty work to be completed on my truck. The guy doing it looked to be a rookie. He popped the cover and drained the oil. Cleaned the silicone sealant off the cover and casing. Hosed the gears down with some brake cleaner and wiped out with his finger what ever didn't drain out at the bottom of the case. Put the cover back on (with sealant) and refilled the diff.



There's your $150 flush and fill. Service dept. is a cash cow.



-Jay

 

[Proram]

service

Prime example of why nobody but me touches my truck!



Scott

 

[MCummings]

Originally posted by JGK

... popped the cover... . ... . put the cover back on

Sounds like he got his money's worth, or just about,, atleast compared to what I have seen at some back alley shops here.



The "flush's" I have seen haven't been so much as a vacuum tube, some Air, a magnet , and re-fill, but then again, they are $75 flushes.



Merrick Cummings Jr

 

[bighammer]

I met a "technician" at a Dodge dealership who looked EXACTLY like the taller of the goofballs on Laverne & Shirley. (I think it's Lenny if memory serves me right) The though of that guy doing service work on my truck seemed scary enough to keep me out of the dealership.

 

[rrl989]

Not that I'm a big fan of dealer shops, but I just had my rotors cut and paid for the 2 hours labor and it was well worth it for me. Originally I was quoted 3 hrs. over the phone, figured I could save some $$ so I called over to PepBoys and after trying to explain how they needed to be cut on the truck, I realized they had no clue. Then tried a local truck / diesel type garage, got a bimbo who wouldn't give me an price, then tells me they only do it with complete brake job, still told me "I don't know" when asked for price. Went to Dodge dealer, & it got done right by a mechanic who had the right tools / lift / experience for the job.

I guess I just got lucky or maybe they have a reason for the $75 / hr. rate.



Ron