Was the bill too high..

[Will]

It's not just vehicle work. Plumbing, electrical, the locksmith. Life costs more and for these people to feed and cloth their families doing things that anyone with half a brain can do, it's tough. You pay more than labor is worth. If you question it then you are capable enough to have done it yourself. If you don't question it than your mind works in another way and you should NOT attempt it. It's true with any skilled LABOR. Nailing down flooring, finishing concrete, installing a ceiling fan, chaning the plugs in your Lexus--these things aren't outside the abilities of any creature more advanced than an orangautan (no offense to any orangutan on the boards) but its the annoyance and bother and learning that we want to avoid. And the sweat.

So labor is worth it. And it's made in USA.

 

[frankserrano]

It's not just vehicle work. Plumbing, electrical, the locksmith. Life costs more and for these people to feed and cloth their families doing things that anyone with half a brain can do, it's tough. You pay more than labor is worth. If you question it then you are capable enough to have done it yourself. If you don't question it than your mind works in another way and you should NOT attempt it. It's true with any skilled LABOR. Nailing down flooring, finishing concrete, installing a ceiling fan, chaning the plugs in your Lexus--these things aren't outside the abilities of any creature more advanced than an orangautan (no offense to any orangutan on the boards) but its the annoyance and bother and learning that we want to avoid. And the sweat.

So labor is worth it. And it's made in USA.

+1

 

[chuck7]

Quote:
Originally Posted by chuck7
Appreciate the replies fellows.
Chuck7

Question..I just bought a 2005 Ranger..does it have a coil per spark plug or a coil pack..It's a 4.0
Thanks,
Chuck

Coil pack
Thanks Sir..

 

[chuck7]

I had told my son it was probably plugs and wires and would he like us to change them?..he said no. I do have some mechanical skills. LOL I took an advance course in VA but that was years back when they all had points and condensers. { -: I've also totally rebuilt 3 Briggs and Strattons and do my own repairs on my small boat motor..but to work on someones only means for transportation is a little scary. I hadn't even heard of a coil pack before..I've replaced the older type coils but not a coil pack. The older ones were simple..just pull the coil wire and change it out..5 minuters tops.

What is invoved in changing a coil pack? I would imagine that you have to pull one of the battery leads. I have about every tool there is .I used to be a maintenace man for a 15 story highrise in Washington D.C. ..I've also had my own handiman business when I was in college. so I'm pretty good with my hands. By the looks of modern prices though, I plan to be talking with you folks alot.

Thanks,
Chuck7

 

[TheTopher]

I had told my son it was probably plugs and wires and would he like us to change them?..he said no. I do have some mechanical skills. LOL I took an advance course in VA but that was years back when they all had points and condensers. { -: I've also totally rebuilt 3 Briggs and Strattons and do my own repairs on my small boat motor..but to work on someones only means for transportation is a little scary. I hadn't even heard of a coil pack before..I've replaced the older type coils but not a coil pack. The older ones were simple..just pull the coil wire and change it out..5 minuters tops.

What is invoved in changing a coil pack? I would imagine that you have to pull one of the battery leads. I have about every tool there is .I used to be a maintenace man for a 15 story highrise in Washington D.C. ..I've also had my own handiman business when I was in college. so I'm pretty good with my hands. By the looks of modern prices though, I plan to be talking with you folks alot.

Thanks,
Chuck7

Glad to hear it. Welcome to TRS

 

[lethal-threat-b288]

sorry to say this buddy, but you got raped in the cornhole.....its better to look around for the good prices. and alot of little shops will useually do it for under 200 clams. i only charge 150+ parts. its useualy around 200 depending on what motor and what it needs. keep your chin up. at least you got the problem resolved quickly, but not painlessly..

 

[backroad101]

I feel like, on most any modern (EFI) engines, changing plugs would take much longer than changing wires. What if you have to take manifolds, air intakes, or other things off to get to the plugs?

My estimate would be 0.25 hours for wires, 1-3 hours for plugs.

I am basing this on my 2.3L, where changing the wires was quite simple, yet getting a socket to the plugs was quite cumbersome.

On my V6 Mazda 6, you have to remove the upper intake manifold to get the back 3 plugs. It is a PITA.

 

[Ranger44]

Shops do gouge on price sometimes, but it's the only way some of them can even make it. They have the tech to pay and their own overhead, but still need to come out with a profit.

I know alot of people avoid service to their vehicle in fear of being bent over and taken for money, or just not wanting to pay the shop $70/ hr to change "plugs and wires" for example. So they either don't do it, or take it upon themselves to dive into something over their heads and technical skill. This can be dangerous, one shouldn't go out of their comfort zone. Yes, plugs and wire aren't that dangerous, but what about brakes? Suspension? Drivetrain? These, done improperly, or even NEGLECTED can cause serious harm to the person driving the vehicle, or the vehicle you run into, or an innocent pedestrian. Harm caused over your brake hose/line blowing, or neglecting to install the cotter pin into the castle nut on the steering linkage, etc.

I'm a recently graduated technician. I can't easily find a job because of "lack of experience", I do have a Ford MLR cert. But, I realize people will pay a "private mechanic" (for lack of better term) $15-25/hr, sometimes $30 (depending on the severity of the job) to repair, maintain, or replace a part on their vehicle. Because when I can turn a $1,500 repair bill into a $610 bill + a safe/reliable vehicle for the client to drive and still come out with a $300 payday,and a reference letter from the client, trust me, we're both HAPPY.

 

[trail B2]

It's so expensive to be in business by the time you rent the shop fee's taxes with holdings wages environmental concerns and regulations rags cleaners tools equipment blah blah blah.What happens in the end is they have to charge more than most people can afford to stay in business and still are'nt making big money.

 

[Spitfire1975]

It's so expensive to be in business by the time you rent the shop fee's taxes with holdings wages environmental concerns and regulations rags cleaners tools equipment blah blah blah.What happens in the end is they have to charge more than most people can afford to stay in business and still are'nt making big money.

yeap. So true.