fair price for servicing my vehicle

[p7387]

i took my 86 2wd to the mechanic for some needed service--

fuel injector service/cleaning
coolant service/flush
front wheele bearings
oil change

is $500 a fair price?

thanks

[choptop]

Doesnt sound to good to me, but I dont run a garage. I figure roughly $40 for antifreeze, maybe that amount for wheels bearings and seals, we'll say for total for bearings as well. Oil change $25 for good oil and filter. Injector cleaner....I dont know what kind they are planning to use.  So we're looking at a little over $100 for parts.
 Labor, 2 hours to redo the wheel bearings, 1 hour flush, 20 minute oil change, 5 minutes to dump injector cleaner in the tank, so less than 4 hours labor maybe?? 4 hoursfor $400 = $100/hr. Wow, I am in the wrong business.

 Do a little quetioning on what they are doing? I have heard of some injector services that use ultrasonic waves to clean the injectors, or whatever. Are they removing the injectors to clean them or miricale in a can? Take into consideration that part of this cost may be the disposal of the waste anitfreeze and oil.
  I have done my own for years, and worked for a garage when going thru college for deisel technology. That was 13 years ago. There are some professional mechanics here that will chime in. They are the ones that can answer your question fully. They know why it costs a certain amount to make these repairs because they have the operating costs to deal with. Good luck to you.

[Lt.Del]

I see you are from NY, so, price is relative.  If a cup of coffee costs $5 up there, well, $500 for all that stuff, which I would do myslef--and not worry abuot injector cleaning unless there is a problem, just might be correct.  Here in Va, all that would be about half that.   

[Marc]

1986 had fuel injection?  I think a motorvac fuel injection service runs about $100, and it's a several stage product, and it works well.  I think it connects to the fuel lines to replace the gas.  that all seems expensive.

[jlane1820]

that all seems expensive.

x2
I'm a little skeptical about the quoted Fuel Injector service/cleaning, I didn't think TBI's were in these trucks until '87 but I could be wrong.
Of all these repairs, the wheel bearings would be the most labor intensive, but I still think a pro mechanic could do these fairly quickly.
IMHO, it may be wise to get another quote from another shop just to weigh your options.

[p7387]

type error-
the truck is an 87

supposedly a high pressure multi stage chemical FI cleaning will be done as well as a high pressure cooling flush with some sort of new anti corrosive additive....

does this make a diff. on the numbers for you guys?
your opinions are appreciated.

thanks

[fitz]

I have a 350 TBI motor with 204K miles on it, I don't think the injectors were ever cleaned. If the truck runs good I would skip the injector service.
As far as the high pressure cooling flush, I would be a little nervous about removing any sediment that is built up in the engine/radiator. If the radiator is old enough that it needs a high pressure cleaning you may just want to replace it, it's cheap insurance. If the radiator looks good I would just drain the antifreeze and replace it.

[VileZambonie]

This is all DIY stuff. Why not tackle it yourself for $100 bucks?

[Irish_Alley]

usually when you take your vehicle to a shop they will charge you 2x the price of a part to make money off of that part then they will charge you by the hr making money there. i get pissed off why my family takes there stuff to a mechanic. i will by the parts for them and install just so they don't get raped.

[Blazin]

Sounds a bit steep to me but also not out of question. x2 on the injector service if its running good. There are quality cleaners out there that you can pour into the tank with some Marvel Mystery Oil your self.
Why are you changing the bearings. Hard to believe they both need changing at the same time! Simple clean, repack with fresh grease, & a new seal is probably all they need. This is the biggest job on your list, but also a very easy do it yourself job. A jack, jack stands, rubber gloves, hand full of basic tools, a Chiltons, or Haynes manual if you are not sure, & about three or four hours you could do it yourself. get the bearings in case they are shot, if you don't need them take them back after.

Oil change too is a half hour do it yourself job with basic tools, and a drain pan.

Never heard of high pressure coolant flush. Would be weary on and older motor of cleaning to much out and having issues in a few weeks or months. I simple chemical flush is all you need. Some good old fashion green anti freeze, and water 50 / 50 mix to refill.

[p7387]

maybe i will attempt to do it my self other than the bearings. thank you for the input

[Irish_Alley]

if you can do an oil change the bearing will be pie kind of. heck they even make a tool just for packing bearings if you don't want to get your hands dirty. I've always had good luck with Lucas products as far as the fuel cleaning goes