Pontiac Sunfire

[n2mark]

The other day I went to have an oil change but was told that one of my mounts on the engine was broken. I'm not sure how this could happen, but they fixed it. So, for the cost of the oil change and mount it cost me almost $400.00. Tell me was I screwed? Excuse me, the term may send this off to other places where I don't want to go, was I being deceived?

By the way I have a 2000 Pontiac Sunfire convertible with 52,000 miles.

While you are still here, I have the tank that fills the solution for the wipers but there is a leak. I was told by the dealer this would cost me $300.00 to repair. Is this correct?

[lectrobyte]

1. ouch! I usually do those kinds of repairs myself, so your costs

seem high. I'd think a motor mount might be $200 at most, and a washer fluid reservior would be $100 even at dealer labor rates. Run away! Find another shop.

[david_vincent]

2. The thing with a motor mount

is that it's probably very difficult to get to, and may have required the weight to be supported in order to change the mount. A difficult job, and since what you're paying for is always the labor, you probably didn't get taken.
But 300 bucks for a washer fluid reservoir? No freaking way. Put your foot down. Get one from a junkyard and pay the neighbor kid $20 to change it.

[livinbella]

5. There ya go

I think you have the number one answer

[lectrobyte]

6. True, but I'd think even if you had to remove a few things to get at

it, it shouldn't be more than an hour's labor, after all, I did one on my FWD car last summer, and it was like put the car on jackstands, take up the weight of the engine with a floor jack, and unbolt the old one, then fiddle with the new one a little to get the holes to line up, and bolt it in. Difficult? Nah, changing a timing belt is what I call difficult.

I can't think the part would be over $100 at the dealer, so I'm assuming they are rolling in $300 for labor? No way. Now, if they changed all three, then maybe "way". I'm assuming all FWD cars have 3, mine does, one at the top of the middle of the motor in back, one on the transaxle end, and one on the engine.

[livinbella]

3. That seems very high on the solution tank replacement

I would go elsewhere.

[lectrobyte]

4. engine mounts wearing out is not uncommon, maybe a little

premature, but they don't last forever. Basically, the engine and transmission are held to the car by rubber and metal mounts, and over time, they lose their flexibility and the rubber pulls away from the metal. The usual symptom is too much vibration through the car, or clunks when you give it gas (or let off). The washer fluid tank may be something you can fix yourself, if you can see how it is held on to the car, the plastic ones seem to have a limited life span, especially if you are like me and forget to put the blue stuff in.

[democracyindanger]

7. Didja have the work done at the dealership?

Sounds like it. Dealership service centers will Cheney you pretty good. How much of the $400 was labor?

[n2mark]

9. Actually the oil job

was done a Qlube in NPhoenix - have used him for several years and always honest. Just checking on the mount.

The wiper tank was quoted from the dealer, but your responses will motivate me to ask the guy at Qlube to repair it. I have to say this guy at qlube is very honest and helpful, he is one of the best.
If I am allowed to give him a plug let me know. They were so good to me. I dropped my car off for the oil change, went next door to shop at Fry's, the guy from the Q-lube located me in the store and told me about the mount, said he would drive me home or I could continue shopping, told me the expected time for repair and cost. I returned to Q-lube sooner then the car was repaired, they put my foods in the fridge, watched my food while I walked around the various strip malls. Oh please don't tell me Q-lube is red!!!! They were way to helpful and friendly,.

[Jack_Dawson]

8. People Still Buy American?

:shrug: