Replaced Starter and Look What Happened!!

[rvaccare]

I have a '99 Rodeo V6, 3.2... I had some awful rattling from underneath the passenger side. I knew it was something loose or hanging from the exhaust or catalytic converter, for whatever reason. One mechanic said it was the heat shield on the catalytic converter that was loose, but not to worry. Nonetheless, it had been getting worse. Well, I took it to a local favorite garage of mine for the starter, but they could not get to it that day. So, I moved on to the local NAPA garage, and they promptly informed me that some of the exhaust system would have to be removed in order to replace the starter... to the tune of $700!!! However, while determining whether to have the work done at this place, knowing I was getting bent over, the lady from my favorite local garage called me with a quote of $400. When I informed NAPA of that, they promptly dropped the price to replace the starter to $400. WOW! Just like that! And they wonder why people don't trust auto repair places? The bottom line is that apparently they were right about having to remove some of the exhaust system, because however it was they put it back together completely rid my Rodeo of the rattle! I felt a little better about the $400 spent. Anyone else have a similar experience with a starter?

[amigo-2k]

this is correct +98 4x4 you need to drop the exahust to get to it.

[Slade901]

If you know exactly what needs to be replaced. Call your friend that knows somebody (tech) personally that does it on the side. You just buy the part and they will install it for you. You only pay for the labor and you pay for the actual part. Most automotive repair shop jack up the price of the parts when in fact you can get the parts at much cheaper price yourself.

Something like very critical part of the engine/transmission, heat gasket, valves, pistons, rings, gears, torque converter, etc, then you may have to go to the shop for warranty purposes just in case it fails before the warranty is up.

[Gizmo42]

This is why I do all my own work if possible. I dont like paying someone to do something I can do myself to begin with but especially dont like to pay way too much.

*ok, I pay somone to change my oil but only because I'm tired of laying in the parking lot in the winter doing it*

Something similar happend with my roomate in the navy. His idler arm was very bad and he took it to some mechanic to get it replaced. The guy wanted around $200 to do it. He called me and I told him to wait a couple minutes the I'd call him back. Local auto parts store had one in stock for around $40 (was in '89 for an early 70's dodge so parts were cheap). Called back and told him I would do it for the cost of the part and dinner, the mechanic suddenly could do it for $65. So he got that job and no other business from my roommate.