Dealership 2nd opinion...

[CygnusX1]

Hey all, new to forum and mechanically out to lunch on all but novice issues...wife's got a 2000 Rodeo v6 3.2l at a bit over 93,000...no towing, no off-road, just A to B driving. Took it in for some warranty work, accumulator piston cover, a.k.a. transmission seal, and fuel sending unit out...no problem there, but there's always those "recommendations" they give ya...here's the low down:

On the transmission, its a sealed unit and has never been flushed...at first, dealer dude was saying it might not be a good idea to flush at this point as the shaving and other metal debris may be actually helping here...later, he calls back stating that the atf is all brown like oil (after some prior research, sounds like the atf has broken down) and a flush at $119 may be recommended depending on how it drives after the seal change and fluid top off. Then we have a very worn serpentine belt at $108 to replace, and of course the timing belt/tensioners which was "suppose to have been changed" at 60k, will ping me for $512/$86...got a nightmare story from the guy about catastrophic engine kabooms if the timing belt breaks, but then I read in here about "non-interference" engines...don't know if this Rodeo falls under that category.

So bottom line, dude says about $750 in additional repairs/maintenance...however, I know a mobile mechanic with 15 years experience who says he can do the job for much less...so, bend over and take it from the dealership, or take a chance with this other guy who has a known good rep...any help and opinions welcome...thanx and

[amigo-2k]

If you have +90k on the tranny fluid I would not flush it (search a bit here on it). I would have the pan dropped and have them install a new a new filter. This method will only replace about 4qts out of the 9qt, and will be less of a shock to the system.

The S-belt quote is way out of line. I've done it twice on my truck. The belt is like 17 bucks from the dealer and both times has only taken me 5 minutes to replace. No parts to remove. Find a buddy to help out and read up in the FAQ's for a diagram on the belt routing.

The Timing belt and other parts I would suggest waiting a few more years. I personally will wait until 120k (there haven't been very many reports of folks here snapping belts; I can only think of 2 in the last 9 years of reading these forums). Others here will suggest 100k to swap out the belt.

[CygnusX1]

Thanx mi amigo...called the dealership wall-a-go, said they'de just taken it off the lift...asked him to run it back up there, drop that pan and change the filter...but sez dealership dude, "no filter in there...has a wire mesh instead"...either way, he's 'sposed to clean the pan and replace the burnt up fluid...still trying to figure out how they're gonna charge the same $119 for the atf replacement but no flush (which I told him not to do)...looks like they'll get some of my hard earn scratch after all on what was supposed to be warranty work (tranny seal and fsu fixed!)...but at least they wont get all of it...of course, a nice set of jack stands and what-not from Santee Claws and I'm off to Knuckle Buster city!

[FL 3.2L]

There definitely is a filter in there that needs to be replaced. I'd drop the pan, change the filter and gasket, and refill the 4 qts or so lost.

I jumped at the timing belt change at 60K, but knowing what I know now, I'd have waited to 100K, possibly more. I've had the belt changed at 60 and 144K, and the second time the belt looked great (84K for the math challenged).

And I can't explain a $100+ serp belt change. That's criminal.

[amigo-2k]

here is a link that has a photo of the tranny filter.


http://isuzufaq.ibctech.ca/trannyfilter.pdf

[pharm_rodeo]

How was the tranny acting when you took it in?

I wouldn't flush at 93,000 miles.

Let us know if it drives any better with the dealer tranny "service."

[CygnusX1]

Originally Posted by pharm_rodeo

How was the tranny acting when you took it in?

Well, it was acting like it was blowin' fluid thru the accumulator gasket/piston cover/seal, which is in fact what it was doing...hence the warrenty work...anywho, ride is now ready...69.95 to suck out the old atf and in with the new...didn't pull the pan to clean like I asked, else it would'a been over a hunerd...but at least I down went from the original $750 "recommendations".

[FL 3.2L]

How is it shifting now? Smooth as butter?

[pharm_rodeo]

Didn't you ask them to drop the pan? Dropping the pan can shed some light on the condition of your tranny.

I see tranny problems in the near future. It's only a couple of grand to rebuild it...lol.

[trooperbc]

Originally Posted by pharm_rodeo

Didn't you ask them to drop the pan? Dropping the pan can shed some light on the condition of your tranny.

I see tranny problems in the near future. It's only a couple of grand to rebuild it...lol.

i'll second that. you requested they drop the pan and change the fluid *and* change the filter, right? then that's what they need to do. my guess is they didn't have the filter or the gsket in stock and wanted to run the invoice through the pay window. not only will inspecting the pan shed some light on the AT condition, inspecting the AT filter will also, not to mention the real benefits of a new filter.

i'd suggest telling them you will order the parts from their parts department and set up an appointment for them to do the work you requested for the normal charge for such service minus what you paid for the unauthorized service.

//bc

[CygnusX1]

Originally Posted by FL 3.2L

How is it shifting now? Smooth as butter?

Haven't driven it myself yet...wife says that it seems fine...of course, she can't tell the difference between composite and component video either...she's all like, "whatever".

Originally Posted by trooperbc

...you requested they drop the pan and change the fluid *and* change the filter, right?

Yup, asked that they clean the pan and change the filter (mentioned earlier that they said "This model has no filter"), but they didn't clean the pan because it would have cost around $180...as it is, they were "giving me a price break" on the fluid exchange which was $69.95...I figure since they didnt get to stick me for the original $750 that they wanted to, they were like, "screw it". I'm just gonna hafta trade in all my computer books for some jack stands, i.e. "If you want something done right..."