[xltj]

Well, I finally caved in and brought my jeep to the dealership. I had to get my blower motor fixed so that I could have heat this winter, as well as get it inspected/emissions so I could renew my plates.

The control head for my heater motor was the culprit for my heat/air not working on any setting. So they are replacing that, which is going to probably run over $200

In the inspection they said my front break pads failed, and that they would need to be replaced, as well as the rotors would need to be turned. So they are doing that for $220. I know, thats overpriced

And finally the list of recommended service by them...

Get my break fluid flushed. $25 parts, $85 for labor
Get my serpentine belt changed. $55 parts, $56 labor
New steering dampner (asked if i noticed 'vibrations' in the front, and i have) Dont remember the costs
Rear pinion seal leak, $2 parts, $112 labor
Wires coming into throttle body module. $176 parts, $226 labor
Fuel induction service. (?) $160 labor

Now, out of that list, what would you call bs? My guess would be the last two. Don't really make much sense to me.

There is no way I'd do any of those items at the dealership though, thats way too much cost in labor. I've become a more DIY person, so how hard would it be to do any of those services myself?

Thanks,
Steve

[Wheelin98TJ]

You don't need the brake fluid flush or fuel injection service.

All the other recommended services could be legit.

Do you have some damaged wiring with one of the throttle body sensors?

[Jerry Bransford]

Flushing brake fluid and FI service, both definitely BS. If you have 75K miles on the TJ, the serpentine belt is reasonable but you can do that yourself for $30-40. Is your rear pinion seal leaking?

"Wires coming into the TB module"??? What's that all about? Is that wiring damaged?

By the way, it's no big deal but brakes are not spelled 'breaks'.

[firefighter0585]

i don't think flushing the brake fluid is a bad idea at all. the nature of brake fluid is that it absorbs water. water in a brake system with steel lines is not a great thing. i think it should be done every 1-2 years. just my .02

[xltj]

Originally Posted by Wheelin98TJ

You don't need the brake fluid flush or fuel injection service.

Originally Posted by Jerry Bransford

Flushing brake fluid and FI service, both definitely BS.

Thanks, I thought I read something about those two being BS a while ago in someone elses dealership "report". Definitely will skip those!

Originally Posted by Wheelin98TJ

Do you have some damaged wiring with one of the throttle body sensors?

Originally Posted by Jerry Bransford

"Wires coming into the TB module"??? What's that all about? Is that wiring damaged?

Well I just installed the throttle body module that comes with my trailjammer intake kit. A couple wires that normally go directly into the throttle body now take a detour through the module. The wiring seemed fine when I was installing this. My guess is that they were just pointing those out because they saw that mod in my opinion. I'll see if I can find a picture of those wires. (and please no comments about that mod being usless, i realized that after installing it )

Originally Posted by Jerry Bransford

If you have 75K miles on the TJ, the serpentine belt is reasonable but you can do that yourself for $30-40.

I have about 62k miles on the jeep, but I know I have had my serpentine belt replaced before, maybe 20k miles ago. I'll double check on that.

Originally Posted by Jerry Bransford

Is your rear pinion seal leaking?

Thats what they had told me. Although I did notice some type of oil on the outside of my rear axle while underneath my Jeep. Maybe this would be a good chance for me to learn something about my axles!

Originally Posted by Jerry Bransford

By the way, it's no big deal but brakes are not spelled 'breaks'.

I could use a brake right now...

[Jerky bump]

Originally Posted by thesteve

Well, I finally caved in and brought my jeep to the dealership. I had to get my blower motor fixed so that I could have heat this winter, as well as get it inspected/emissions so I could renew my plates.

The control head for my heater motor was the culprit for my heat/air not working on any setting. So they are replacing that, which is going to probably run over $200

In the inspection they said my front break pads failed, and that they would need to be replaced, as well as the rotors would need to be turned. So they are doing that for $220. I know, thats overpriced

And finally the list of recommended service by them...

Get my break fluid flushed. $25 parts, $85 for labor
Get my serpentine belt changed. $55 parts, $56 labor
New steering dampner (asked if i noticed 'vibrations' in the front, and i have) Dont remember the costs
Rear pinion seal leak, $2 parts, $112 labor
Wires coming into throttle body module. $176 parts, $226 labor
Fuel induction service. (?) $160 labor

Now, out of that list, what would you call bs? My guess would be the last two. Don't really make much sense to me.

There is no way I'd do any of those items at the dealership though, thats way too much cost in labor. I've become a more DIY person, so how hard would it be to do any of those services myself?

Thanks,
Steve

Gee, they didn't mention changing the air in your tires over to "winter" air? Most of that stuff can be done by someone if they can change their own oil. The question is do you trust them? and how confident are you in DIY stuff?
Generally speaking- people should educate themselves so they don't need to worry about getting burned- at least in diagnosing problems, if they're not handy. Get a second opinion if you're in doubt.-I mean another shop.

[HitIt]

$56 in labor to change a serpentine belt? I changed one in my other car and it took five minutes, including opening the package and hood!!

[Toolshed]

You can definitely change the serpentine belt yourself. I changed mine with no problems and if I can do it, ANYBODY can do it! If you don't have the belt routing sticker on your radiator anymore, don't forget to draw it out before you remove the belt.

[ltdanyj]

Originally Posted by Jerry Bransford

Flushing brake fluid and FI service, both definitely BS. If you have 75K miles on the TJ, the serpentine belt is reasonable but you can do that yourself for $30-40. Is your rear pinion seal leaking?

"Wires coming into the TB module"??? What's that all about? Is that wiring damaged?

By the way, it's no big deal but brakes are not spelled 'breaks'.

So, running around with the original 75K brake fluid is okay? Never cleaning the intake manifold is okay?

Dan

[Jerry Bransford]

Originally Posted by ltdanyj

So, running around with the original 75K brake fluid is okay? Never cleaning the intake manifold is okay?

Exactly what are you trying to infer here? Don't be trying to twist my words or intent.

[ltdanyj]

I'm not twisting anything around here. You're telling him that those two services are "B.S."... The dealership is recommending those two services. Has he ever had either done before? Don't know, but if he hasn't, you don't think he should?

[xltj]

Originally Posted by Jerky bump

Gee, they didn't mention changing the air in your tires over to "winter" air? Most of that stuff can be done by someone if they can change their own oil. The question is do you trust them? and how confident are you in DIY stuff?
Generally speaking- people should educate themselves so they don't need to worry about getting burned- at least in diagnosing problems, if they're not handy. Get a second opinion if you're in doubt.-I mean another shop.

Yeah, I'm pretty confident that I can do most DIY stuff. And spend my "down time" at work educating myself on anything and everything here

[xltj]

Originally Posted by ltdanyj

I'm not twisting anything around here. You're telling him that those two services are "B.S."... The dealership is recommending those two services. Has he ever had either done before? Don't know, but if he hasn't, you don't think he should?

I've never had them done before.

Since I don't know anything about either of those, I guess my question is what are the benefits of those two services? And is it a similar job like changing oil, trans fluid?

[armyjeeper]

Originally Posted by Jerky bump

Gee, they didn't mention changing the air in your tires over to "winter" air? Most of that stuff can be done by someone if they can change their own oil. The question is do you trust them? and how confident are you in DIY stuff?
Generally speaking- people should educate themselves so they don't need to worry about getting burned- at least in diagnosing problems, if they're not handy. Get a second opinion if you're in doubt.-I mean another shop.

funny you say this about winter air. I worked in a detail shop here and they told a woman that we could put HID fluid in her lights to make the brighter. I heard that and left that job ASAP. I hate seeing people get ripped off.

[98TJ]

Originally Posted by thesteve

Yeah, I'm pretty confident that I can do most DIY stuff. And spend my "down time" at work educating myself on anything and everything here

This is the only way to learn and save all those hard earned dollars for future mods or unexpected problems. For some people going to the dealer is the only option because they don't know the difference between a socket and a wrench. But everyone has to start somewhere right. I myself have learned over the years to just dive in there (read up on it first) and go for it. It could save you thousands of dollars a year.