$13K for new engine?

[Reba]

Just thought of something! What about towing to where they actually want it done?

Our insurance covers towing. TCS has been towed out of some tight spots (literally). His huge work van broke down in a drive thru bank lane once. Very difficult to extract, and made some unhappy bank customers.

Also, some auto repair places subtract the towing fee if they tow and get hired to do the work.

 

[Jane B.]

Our insurance covers towing. TCS has been towed out of some tight spots (literally). His huge work van broke down in a drive thru bank lane once. Very difficult to extract, and made some unhappy bank customers.

Also, some auto repair places subtract the towing fee if they tow and get hired to do the work.

But could it be part of why the figure given in the OP is so high?

 

[deafsmogtech]

Just thought of something! What about towing to where they actually want it done?

Good point, yes they (towing guys) can bill to the dealer I'd repair shop, that sum up the repair bill. Maybe $13K for engine replacement includes clean up oil residued under the vehicle that take 2 hour labor plus clean chemicals etc...Most the towing guy bill the shop is auto body shops than repair shop, insurance co take care of it.

 

[Jane B.]

Just thought of something! What about towing to where they actually want it done?

Good point, yes they (towing guys) can bill to the dealer I'd repair shop, that sum up the repair bill. Maybe $13K for engine replacement includes clean up oil residued under the vehicle that take 2 hour labor plus clean chemicals etc...Most the towing guy bill the shop is auto body shops than repair shop, insurance co take care of it.

And I just went back and looked at the first post which includes "Car stalled in Ohio on way to Illinois". So that would be quite a distance if they want it done where the Dad lives.

 

[Reba]

But could it be part of why the figure given in the OP is so high?

 

[Reba]

I asked TCS about the towing fee.

He said that there is usually an insurance cap on each instance of towing. Also, tow trucks will take the car to the nearest dealership or mechanic or residence; they don't tow a disabled car hundreds of miles to your favorite shop. So, it's unlikely that there would be an excessive towing fee.

 

[Reba]

Good point, yes they (towing guys) can bill to the dealer I'd repair shop, that sum up the repair bill. Maybe $13K for engine replacement includes clean up oil residued under the vehicle that take 2 hour labor plus clean chemicals etc...Most the towing guy bill the shop is auto body shops than repair shop, insurance co take care of it.

TCS says foam and steam cleaning oil spray is about a $20 job. (Of course, they will try to charge whatever they can.)

Around here the towing cap is $75.

 

[Jane B.]

I asked TCS about the towing fee.

He said that there is usually an insurance cap on each instance of towing. Also, tow trucks will take the car to the nearest dealership or mechanic or residence; they don't tow a disabled car hundreds of miles to your favorite shop. So, it's unlikely that there would be an excessive towing fee.

If they want it moved hundreds of miles and are willing to pay for it I would think it could be done. And thus may be in the cost the Dad mentioned.

 

[Reba]

If they want it moved hundreds of miles and are willing to pay for it I would think it could be done. And thus may be in the cost the Dad mentioned.

It seems odd that they wanted to save a couple bucks by having a cheap oil change done but they're willing to spend hundreds (thousands?) to have the car towed instead of getting it fixed locally.

I guess there's no accounting for some things.

 

[Reba]

Since this was a leased vehicle maybe there were certain restrictions on its maintenance.

 

[Jane B.]

It seems odd that they wanted to save a couple bucks by having a cheap oil change done but they're willing to spend hundreds (thousands?) to have the car towed instead of getting it fixed locally.

I guess there's no accounting for some things.

Maybe that wasn't the case. There are some independent family run shops around here with very, very good reputations.

 

[Calvin]

I have a AAA Roadside Assistance "plus" membership card. "Plus" membership have a free towing service of up to 100 miles. I have a 50 miles round trip commute from home and work. The basic is free for up to 5 miles, so I opted to pay more to have up to 100 miles since never know if I become stranded far away from home and my specific shop.

I asked TCS about the towing fee.

He said that there is usually an insurance cap on each instance of towing. Also, tow trucks will take the car to the nearest dealership or mechanic or residence; they don't tow a disabled car hundreds of miles to your favorite shop. So, it's unlikely that there would be an excessive towing fee.

 

[Reba]

Maybe that wasn't the case. There are some independent family run shops around here with very, very good reputations.

I didn't say that their reputation was bad. It just seemed odd that the owner wanted to save money on an oil change (one of the cheapest car services you can get) yet would spend big bucks for towing.

We use an independent mechanic for much of our automotive work, so I have no problem with that.

What could be a problem is that the car was a leased auto. Sometimes the lease contract has requirements about the maintenance that could restrict the driver to certain shops. It all depends on the contract.

 

[Reba]

I have a AAA Roadside Assistance "plus" membership card. "Plus" membership have a free towing service of up to 100 miles. I have a 50 miles round trip commute from home and work. The basic is free for up to 5 miles, so I opted to pay more to have up to 100 miles since never know if I become stranded far away from home and my specific shop.

I could see up to 100 miles, and that certainly shouldn't add thousands to the Honda repair. The OP didn't say how many miles from home she broke down. If it it was more than 100 miles, that would be an excessive tow trip.

 

[Jane B.]

Reba
Why do you keep insisting that they tried to save money on the oil change? I can find NO reference to that! Just because it was a small shop does not mean that!!!!!!!!!!

The very first post says that it quit in Ohio on the way to Illinois. That is almost guaranteed to be several hundred miles just from looking at the map (Indiana is in between Ohio and Illinois).

 

[Reba]

Reba
Why do you keep insisting that they tried to save money on the oil change? I can find NO reference to that! Just because it was a small shop does not mean that!!!!!!!!!!

The very first post says that it quit in Ohio on the way to Illinois. That is almost guaranteed to be several hundred miles just from looking at the map (Indiana is in between Ohio and Illinois).

Not insisting--just speculating like we all are.

Until we get more details from the OP it's all a guessing game.

Anyone's guess is as good as another's.

Certainly not worth multiple !'s.

 

[green427]

Bottom line....I don't trust any oil change places after some fraudulent experiences in the past. Yes, there are many good, honest places out there, but I haven't seen much.

I do my own oil changes most of the time....does not save me any money, but it gives me peace of mind. If I am in a bind I will have the dealer do it....not because I trust them, but they have the right OEM parts and if they mess up....they don't have an excuse.

 

[dereksbicycles]

I don't know why they went the cheap way for oil change. That does not look very smart especially if it is leased. I forgot to ask my Dad about it. I will ask him tomorrow and try to find out some answer. I'm curious about what they end up doing.

 

[deafsmogtech]

Interesting that the engine computer would not shut down to protect the engine from lack of oil and overheating. Having a seized engine is not a good thing.

Is the engine a 4 cylinder? $13k seem to be steep for a engine replacement, I'm not sure if they still require to change the engine harness and other components which could drive the cost up. Ask the mechanic for the estimate break down so you get the idea what is being worked on.

The engine harness you mentioned is referring to "Engine Computer Harness" or "Engine Sensor Harness" either... I think the mechanic at the dealer, recommend new engine computer harness after discover the oil residue on the harness that cause the plastic wire insulator in the harness to be deteriorate, may lead to fire due to short to ground. That is mechanic's call, doesn't want to report a campaign of recall or defective harness....I know the new engine computer harness assy cost about $1,000 or more at dealer. The harness assy are not come with any sensors. I've seen one in a Nissan car. Very expensive..

 

[deafsmogtech]

TCS says foam and steam cleaning oil spray is about a $20 job. (Of course, they will try to charge whatever they can.)

Around here the towing cap is $75.

Most dealers have high pressure stream cleaner machines, $20? No, they charge over $100 or more. Money Money...make dealer happy....