Help Pls - if it is allowed - thoughts on repair costs

[Cats5756]

Hello Everyone:

New here, not sure if right place, but I'm an overwhelmed lady, out of my depths of understanding. Don't want to get taken advantage of by my lack of knowledge around cars-- hope to get straight answers on repairs I'm told I need on my '99 Chevy Blazer.

Background - Vehicle has ~73k miles. I work from home, I don't drive very often/very far on a regular basis.

Vehicle in to have an oil change + to have them replace the pins/bushings on my driver side door. Also mentioned an odor coming inside the car - smelled same as the fluid in overflow tank fr. radiator; concerned something might need repaired.

Told by my local Chevy dealership service center that I need to replace my motor mounts (they are broken/collapsed); shock absorbers worn out/ bouncy, + I have a class 1 engine oil leak. They don't smell odor but recommend cooling system service flush. (Heater core replaced in 2005 @37700 miles). What could my repair/replace costs run? Any suggestions/guidance GREATLY appreciated. Thank you.

[exalteduser]

as always get a 2nd opinion on these repairs. the shocks are a preference if they arent blown out. As far as the motor mounts you would be having some big issues if they were both broken, again get a 2nd opinion. (local garage instead of stealership. Go in there and be specific on the things you want them to look at.

As far as coolant smell in the cab that leans to the heater core leaking. you mentioned it was replaced but you never know. check the floorboards under the dash and see if any of the carpet is wet. Good luck

[Cats5756]

Appreciate quick reply and suggested priority order of repairs, exalteduser. Since my dad passed, I haven't had my go-to expert for me vehicle issues.

I did not get an estimate/quote from dealer service, should I check with two local garages on needed repairs or just one other is enough? Also, any ballpark on costs if all three repairs need to happen (replace shocks/motor mounts/fix leak in heater core)? BTW - the floor on passenger side is dry as can be...

Thank you!

[exalteduser]

I dont use repair shops so I can only estimate what parts cost would be to DIY.
new monroe shocks can be had for $20 each at autozone or other auto part store. again if you arent noticing a problem with the ride you can leave the shocks alone. any mild auto repair center that does brakes and oil changes (like tuffy or meinecke)would probably do it for $100

the Mounts and heater core could be done with $100 and an afternoon in the garage.
in a shop those 2 would probably ding you a grand.
Highly recommend taking to a reputable shop (or 2) and outline your concerns.
-coolant smell
-motor mounts
By you telling them what needs looked at you can (hopefully) avoid them trying to find everything under the sun thats "wrong"

without more info on the oil leak I cannot say. could be a leaky valve cover or anything, dont know what "class 1" stands for.

again good luck

[maxwedge]

The heater core on that truck is a major undertaking based on my flat rate guide the dash must come out and it is clocked at about a 7 hour job!! Correct, the smell could be old coolant under the carpets, the motor mounts are easily visible on the rack so another shop should be able to verify that, as well as the shocks either leaking, being spongy when bouncing the truck. Dexcool should be flushed/changed at 5 years or 100k as we all know.

[Cats5756]

Thanks exalteduser and maxwedge! Smell in car started less than 10 days ago, so that's a new one. I would hate to have to replace the heater core again when I had that done at dealer's service in '05 (and ~26k miles ago).

Might it be cheaper to go to a place that does shocks/brakes vs. a service garage? Sorry to be so focused on cost, but I've just forked out some BIG monies for several necessary and very unexpected expenditures, so keeping control over what I can is a must.

Appreciate your input!

[maxwedge]

The only answer to this is try and find a trusted mechanic for a second opinion, ask some friends.

[Cats5756]

Gentlemen -- I've gotten estimates on repairs (thanks to my friends for recommendations) and I clearly need NOT go to the dealer for service. Talking about ~$1k difference going elsewhere.

Thank you for your help!

[kevinande]

Originally Posted by Cats5756

Gentlemen -- I've gotten estimates on repairs (thanks to my friends for recommendations) and I clearly need NOT go to the dealer for service. Talking about ~$1k difference going elsewhere.

Thank you for your help!

That is why they are referred to as "stealerships". They can be quite costly.