Did I get ripped Off??
Submitted: Tuesday, Jul 20, 2004 at 17:15
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Glenn
I have just got my 1991 80series 1hz back from repairs, and was absolutely astounded to receive a bill for $2560.
I put the car in because it had a fuel leak coming from the injector pump and was told that the problem would be assessed and I would be contacted as to what needed to be done etc. On enquiring on the progress on my car I was informed that it would be ready to pick up that night, but the leak had required some quite substantial repairs and new parts. So you could imagine my joy when I was informed that the total cost of the repairs and replacement parts came to over a staggering 2 1/2 grand with no consultation!!!!
Even though the lack of consultation did sh*t me to tears I don't mind paying a fair rate for work to be done. Sooo could anyone tell me whether this huge bill I have recieved seems around the going rate? for
the removal of the injector pump to dismantle pump, clean, and inspect
assemble with new parts as necessary bench
test and adjust to specifications?
Labour 10 hours $700 ( does anyone work for 10 hours on an engine part?)
Major parts Head and rotor $482
drive shaft $ 84
6 x delivery valve $ 326
timer piston $130
housing $288
etc etc
So if anyone has had a similar job done or has knowledge of what it cost, I would be grateful if you could let me know if this seems a fair enough price for the work carried out and restore my faith, that it was just a big and expensive job?
Cheers
Glenn
Reply By: duncs - Tuesday, Jul 20, 2004 at 19:16
Tuesday, Jul 20, 2004 at 19:16
Glenn,
I had a similar job done a few years ago on the old GQ and spent just short of that amount. Although that did include the cost of a boost compensator for the aftermarket turbo. Inflation would easily bring
mine up to what you paid. I was pretty dirty though when all that "jonny" didn't fix the problem.
A year or so later while chasing another part I discovered that I could have got a brand new Bosch pump to fit the old girl, all fully balanced and ready to be installed for only $750. Now add about $100 for the labour cost of fitting the new pump and the big bucks look a bit too big.
I'd say you paid the market price for the repair. Is that a fair price? Probably not but I'll bet if you ask the repairer he can justify it.
Duncs
AnswerID:
68701
Reply By: Utemad - Tuesday, Jul 20, 2004 at 21:23
Tuesday, Jul 20, 2004 at 21:23
I have a mate who put his wife's car in to Holden to have a quote done as to why the aircon didn't work.
They rang that afternoon saying it was ready to pick up. When he got there they said it needed a new compressor and that it came to $???. Was a few hundred at least anyway. He said it was only in for a quote get stuffed and they said that he wasn't getting the car back until he paid.
Anyway he sent a letter to the head of the dealership and also to the head of Servicing of Holden or the like. Later that week he got a phone call from the dealership asking him to come in. They gave him the keys and said not to worry about it. They had left the compressor in the car so it was all fixed and there was a nice big bunch of flowers in there too for his wife.
My advice "don't give in"
You asked for a quote and were given a huge bill. Any mechanic with half a brain would have rung you with a quote for a job like that even if you didn't ask for it. I mean who takes there fourbie in for a service and EXPECTS a $2560 bill?
Surely the machanic would discuss your options with you. Being new parts or recondition your existing ones or other options
Some people wouldn't be able to pay the bill up front or at all.
Things like this s--t me. I hate getting wronged or hearing about others and always do everything in my power to right them.
Utemad
AnswerID:
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Reply By: Bilbo - Tuesday, Jul 20, 2004 at 21:31
Tuesday, Jul 20, 2004 at 21:31
Glenn,
Even back when I was a diesel mechanic - about 20 years ago - even then, nobody in a general repair workshop or main dealer actually rebuilt a diesel injection pump. It's a specialist job that should be done in dustfree, almost sterile environment. These specialists regularly rebuild and hold a stock of rebuilt pumps for many different makes of vehicle. They do little else and no general repair work. If a mechanical workshop wants a recon pump, they buy one from these specialist rebuild firms and simply fit it and retime the injection timing. The specialist firm keeps the cost of a recon pump down by doing nothing but pumps. i.e. High part turnover and less expensive labour costs.
I think you've "had a job done on you". You went in for a fuel leak and came out with a fuel pump rebuild that you didn't ask for nor were you consulted on it. It's now a case for the Ministry of Fair Trading IMO. They went overboard - way overboard.
The cost of rebuilding a pump, recalibrating it and refitting it CAN take 10 hours - easy. However, these days nobody rebuilds pumps in this way. It's cheaper by far to get a recon pump and just refit it and retime the injection pump. Total time for that job is about 2 hours maximum.
A recon pump was a far cheaper option available to the repairers and to you. But they seem to have taken another option that was far more expensive and forgot to ask you about either option. The question to ask is DID IT NEED A REBUILT PUMP TO FIX THE FUEL LEAK?? Generally speaking and without knowing the full details, the answer to that question is, NO. They need to prove that the leak needed a pump rebuild, if they can't prove that, then you shouldn't be paying. And I seriously doubt that a leak would need that extensive attention. At the sort of money you paid out, I'd be seeking an independent auto engineers opinion - look in the Yellow Pages. Cost would be about 150 bucks. Another option would the RAC etc, but my experience with them here in
Perth has been hopeless. I wouldn't let 'em inpsect a billy cart.
Diesel fuel pumps very rarely go wrong. On high mileage interstate semis and earthmoving gear I've seen 'em do a a million kms with the original pump. I doubt your would have done that since 1991.
Some of these repair shops and main agents think they're dealing with "don't nuffink fools". I've taught 'em otherwise on several occasions.
Bilbo
AnswerID:
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Follow Up By: Member - JohnR (Vic) - Tuesday, Jul 20, 2004 at 23:32
Tuesday, Jul 20, 2004 at 23:32
good summation Bilbo and grand advice with it....
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Reply By: Anthony - Wednesday, Jul 21, 2004 at 14:09
Wednesday, Jul 21, 2004 at 14:09
Hi Glenn,
I also would be be surpried and question a bill of that amout.
I had an injector pump leak on my 3L 2.8D hilux about a year back. I rang around
Melbourne to get some idea of the cost of such r repair.
Melbourne City Toyota estimated $700 to remove and replace the injector pump, plus any cost to repair or provide a changer over pump, whould was to be another $600 to $700.
I found a diesel mechanic in Moorabbin that remove old pump and fitted a change over replacement for the total cost of $700 cash.
My point is the price varys greatly depemding on where you take it, but I still would not expect to pay anything like $2,500. I would be seeking them to justify the cost against a changeover pump from other supplier. I hope they stop and see it from your side - cheers Anthony
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Reply By: Member - DOZER- Wednesday, Jul 21, 2004 at 19:40
Wednesday, Jul 21, 2004 at 19:40
Gday Firstly, on the pump, you got off fairly lightly....last week another guy in the 80 group payed 3800 for a rebuild. The pump was leaking like yours, but after disassembly, everything was stuffed. The low sulphor fuel is the cause of all your pumps leaking, later models like 98 plus get the new type seals and dont need to be changed/dont leak in the first place.
Now the second part of your question was their lack of consultation. This was not acceptable, but looking from their side they would see this every day and whilst they should have called, they have also charged you what i would call a reasonable amount, so if you were saying they didnt call, and charged you 3800.....that would be worserer wouldnt you think??
Have a good look at your filration, and change the elements regular. Also buy fuel from a large volume servo of main brand like M or C... this type of damage is caused from bad filtration and/or fuel.
Andrew
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