Hi all,

I feel like I'm getting ripped a new one, so I thought I'd ask what my options are.

I dropped the car off this morning at a local stealership... SRT6 developed the TSB transmission leak (at least I hope it is). Here's what I have on my estimate:

CK Trans Leak
CK Exhaust leak (I told them about the issue i was having at light throttle, low RPM that sounded like paper in spokes)
Safety check

Estimate: $500

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought this was a $20 part and maybe an hour worth of labor? So why is my estimate so high? If they come back and tell me it was in fact the TSB, what are my options?

 

If it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck

I think the estimate is very high, and FYI if the car is not under warranty, you have to pay for TSBs, they are not recalls.

 

I know I have to pay for it since it's out of warranty, I just want to get some ammunition in case the actual charges are close to the estimate.

Basically, I'm asking for tips on what to say to get a more reasonable bill when the time comes. I'm hoping that just because the estimate was $500 the actual charges WONT be.

 

Too high for just the trans leak.
Part cost me $12. Installed it myself.
If you opt to DIY let us know.

 

Going to a dealer with this mindset is asking for trouble. It's like picking up a snake and "hoping" it's non-poisonous.

Dealers always estimate low-ball, and tack on surprises.

 

You have no address / location. Where are you located??

It sure is worth doing the tranny connector fix yourself, there is my posting on it to show how. To me 500 is money and Id not let them touch it unless i was there at the least.

Warranty is a good question on their work. I had my pinion seal replaced under warr. and they ended up replacing all the gears in the diff TWICE over the course of two years. You dont impact a pinion on without screwing up the rear. HEMI DURANGO - their big money!!!!!!!!!!!!

Woody

 

Problem is, I don't have the tools to do it myself or I would. I just figured that it'd be closer to $150 or so, not $500. My main concern is that even if it is the TSB, they could fix the problem and tell me it was some major tranny problem and I would be none the wiser (and gouge the hell out of me in the process). This is why I change my own oil and avoid dealerships at all costs. Trust me guys, it pained me to bring it in this morning

I also heard that transmission fluid sprays all over when you attempt this yourself. Is that true?

Also, I am located in the Peoples Republic of Ch... California.

EDIT: On a funny note, an identical Graphite SRT6 coupe was in line right in front of me. Small world.

 

Required tools are minimal. Messy job but very doable.

Jack up just the passenger side of the car. I didn't lose any fluid that way.

Here's Woody's post WOOD

 

As I recall the repair parts is an oring and enough expensive tranny fluid to top it off. 2 pints in my case. Ask them to show you their Chiltons cost estimator for this job. I'll try to remember to look at my warranty repair invoice. I think it has a labor and parts list breakdown.

Stay tuned.

 

Thanks guys for all the help. They're going to call me later before they do any work, I'll mention a few things that have been brought up!

 

Find an independent shop. I had the leaking tranny fixed for ~$70. For that price it was not worth climbing under the car and dealing with the mess.

 

What is the breakdown of the costs, I see three items for quoting.
Is it the simple leak?
What is the exhaust problem?
What and how much is the safety check?
The safety check is always a money maker, that's where they say you need new brakes, shocks, tires etc and try to see how much they can squeeze out of you.

 

UPDATE

Here's a breakdown of total services provided. As far as I can tell, costs are very reasonable and about on par with what I expected for the TSB fix:

Trans Fluid Leak - Total Labor and parts: $140.16

FLUID AUT 1081033 - $20
PLUG ADAP 21003015 - $10.96
PIN NONE 21039022 - $1.20

(Hopefully this was the proper fluid/parts)

Safety Check - Total Labor: $135

(This was a complete 39 point inspection, mostly for peace of mind... green across the board)

I also had them check the mysterious fluttering sound during part idle and loud ticking during idle. Surprise surprise, they said it's NORMAL for this engine.

Total cost ended up being about $330 for all of this stuff. I paid it.

 

Safety Check - Total Labor: $135

Not really worth it... It takes them less than 20 minutes for the safety check, even if the tech doing it is a double-amputee

 

My transmission leaked what I saw as a Huge amount on my garage floor while I was away for 2 weeks, turns out it was transmission fluid. The repair shop quoted me $510 to replace something under the transmission! They ordered the part Friday afternoon and I am supposed to bring it in Monday morning... yet I read here it's a $12 part and minor labor...what should I do?
Please email me advise before I pay too much.
kristinjsharpe@gmail.com
My Crossfire is a 2004 with over 125K miles. I did not take it to a dealership, but to my friendly mechanic (who did the sticky ignition fix for me a couple of years ago) who referred me to a transmission repair shop approved by AAA. The transmission shop guy said he's not going to charge me for labor, the huge cost is for the parts. Does more than just the O ring have to be replaced for a transmission fluid leak???

 

See this post. Click

 

A search of p/n FLUID AUT 1081033 and appears to be 4oz LSD additive.