Auto Gurus: Price check for maint. services!

[axelfox]

I recently was recommended some services when I got my oil change last month. The EZ Lube recommended:

Radiator Flush - $55
Transmission Service - $90
Fuel System Cleaning - $50
(Plus 10% off the services)

It comes out to about $190 with the 10% off and tax.

I have a 96 Dodge Caravan with about 88K miles on it. Are these prices about right? What are the going rates for these services? I live in Southern California. I'm going to make some more calls, but I'd like to find out some prices from you guys.

Thanks

 

[bigbootydaddy]

im no expert, they dont seem extremely high, that radiator flush could be less considering your draining and adding fluid.

 

[axelfox]

Bump

 

[Soybomb]

Those are a bit high for my area, but then again a pretty nice 3 bedroom home can be bought here for 75k, I'm guessing not tha same there

 

[IamDavid]

Transmition Service? Whats this? If its just for a change of fluid anf filter than I think you could find a cheaper place. Cost $49.99 around here.

 

[Thegonagle]

That's not too bad but skip the fuel system cleaning. I don't even know what that is. If it's running well, the only maintenace the fuel system needs is a new filter. Check your manual for the recommended mileage for that. The radiator flush and transmission service are important if you want to keep your van for a long time. Just make sure that for $90 you get a transmission FLUSH and a new filter. If they don't flush the transmission, they only change about half the tranny fluid.

Don't forget to check the price at the dealership. You might be suprised. If you bring it to a dealership, it won't be the first Chrysler van they've seen all week, plus those quick lube type places tend to have very inexperienced employees.

Good luck!

 

[axelfox]

I'm almost to my 30/60/90/120 service limit (88k miles). Should I just get the tune up? Or just do the said services?

When I called EZ Lube, they said the tranny service is a 100% flush, or something like that.

 

[axelfox]

BumP

 

[PCAddict]

I've seen that transmission flush service available for less than $90 in my area. The $55 for the coolant service is a good deal, if they are going to reverse flush the system and refill it with new antifreeze and water.

As far as the fuel system cleaning, I'd go for it. It made a big difference on my roomate's S-10 Blazer. He bought it used with 20K on it and it ran rough from the day he got it. Having the injectors cleaned really smoothed it out.

 

[perry]

Forget the fuel cleaning service. Waste of money.

The thing that is worth the money is a MotorVac treatment. I've seen dyno plots indicating that it can free up a 4-5 horsepower before and after cleaning all that gunk out. A proven method to clean your engine out. You may need to email them to find a shop in your area that performs the treatment. Should cost in the $120 range, but well worth it. With the mileage and age of your car, you should see pretty good benefits from it.

Radiator flush seems a little high. Look around for coupons or check another shop. It's not too hard to do, so you can shop around on that. This is something that should be done yearly to keep your cooling system healthy. Changing a radiator can be a PITA.

Tranny service seems about par for a 100% flush and fill. And it's something that's pretty vital to do. Seeing how an automatic tranny basically runs on fluid, it's a good idea to keep fresh fluid in there. I like to change mine about every 36,000 miles.

 

[Thegonagle]

It's a good time to do all the stuff the manual says to do at 90. By doing so, you are giving it a tune-up, especially if it gets new spark plugs. Lots of people put new plug wires on at this time, but if the old ones are in good condition (insulation and connectors,) I'd just put some silicone grease on the connector boots to keep 'em water tight and run with them, as wires theoretically do not "wear out."

Another tune-up trick I've figured out over the years is if the car has a distributor, buy a new cap, rotor and gasket, and use some silicone grease on the gasket as well. You'll never lose power in the rain again, guaranteed.*









*not a guarantee

 

[axelfox]

Wow, getting several replies not to get a fuel system cleaning. This would be cleaning the fuel injector(s) also, right?

I would think that this would be necessary, as I was told it was/could be the cause of a problem I had a couple of years ago, when the engine would stall when I had it in DRIVE. I once had it stall on the freeway in the left lane, and I was scared sh!t. When I had that problem, the car would start up ok after the stall, but when I put it back in drive, it would stall again.

Another thing is that when I slow down to a stop (at a light, etc), I sometimes get this kick in the engine, as if there is an airpocket or something. I would slow down to about <5 MPH, and would kick as if the engine was about to stall.

Bump
Keep the info flowing!

 

[axelfox]

bump

 

[axelfox]

I called around and got some better prices. I called EZ Lube back, and the Radiator Flush includes reverse flush and fill, and the Tranny includes 100% flush and fill. However, the fuel system cleaning, they said, they run some chemical through it and and it cleans out the carbon, etc. They don't give me a new filter though. Can I install that on my own?

update: called another shop up, and they don't recommend a fuel system clean because the chemicals eat away at the injectors coating.
thanks

 

[monckywrench]

Some injector cleaning solvents can damage some specific injectors. I'd check with your local dealer on that one.
BTW, surfing automotive industry websites is nice for finding out info on proper repair/maintenance and also how much markup is reasonable. underhoodservice.com, motorage.com, motorvac.com, etc will get ya started.