BimmerJeeper

I brought my new 1998 XJ into the dealer b/c there is an airbag module recall.
(The new module did not fix the problem, as the horn/Cruise/Airbag light indicate bad clockspring, right?)

Anyway, while it was there, I gave them a list of the next few jobs I am thinking of trying myself DIY on my 1998 XJ.
I was curious what a dealer would charge. Good to know, I guess?
I have listed the total cost (labor, parts, and tax).
I also broke out the shop hours associated with each task.

I thought the forum might find this interesting and/or useful.
Any particularly good or bad estimates here?
Does anything strike you as noteworthy?

The list below is just a partial list of intended common fixes
They also found 2 new things I was not aware of (cracked exhaust and bad trackbar).

zombie jeep101

Here's what it would cost at home...
Valve cover gasket- $30
Front and rear diff- $40
Radiator- leak?? $15
Heater hoses- $20
O2 sensor- $15
Exhaust manifold- (putty it) $10
Track bar- it's fine, believe me. Free
All shocks- $100
Lift gate prop- $15
Clock spring- $45
Starter- $120
Window- deal with it. Free
Fuel pump- $80

Grand total around-- $500

And you can easily do all that at home!

mr white

**** me that **** is expensive. You could probably replace all that stuff yourself for less than $1k including tools.

mitchlikesbikes

holy hell. i'm glad i can do all of this myself. i've done ALL regular maintenece on my new 226k 96 for less than 250 bucks in parts/fluids

mitchlikesbikes

most of these are <1 hour, bolt-unbolt jobs. don't get ripped off..

OverlandZJ

I'll come do the same work in your driveway for half that estimate.. and you'd still pay too much probably.

BimmerJeeper

........

motorcharge

Typical dealership pricing. You're paying extra to pay for a factory trained technician, tools, the shop, operating costs, ect.

Go to a Subaru dealership and get your timing belt replacing on a newer Subaru. You're paying 4 hours and $500 for about a 30 minute job, but it's also a 30 minute job that if you get wrong can wreck your motor.

Wrong torque specs on a lot of those bolt on fixes can end up costing you a hell of a lot more in the end.

Those hourly rates you see can work in your favor as well. Take the o2 sensor for example. It pays 1.2 hours. If it's seized in there and can't be removed and they have to take and cut it out, weld in a new bung, then replace the o2 sensor and it takes them 4 hours they're only getting paid 1.2. And the mechanic isn't making 1.2, that 1.2 hours worth of pay is getting divided between operating costs, commission for the service write, service manager, technician, and what ever's left is profit for the country. If they don't charge what seems absurd to some people then they're not making money and it defeats the point in running a business.

That being said, some of the prices compared to time (assuming it's not including parts) is absurd.

BimmerJeeper

The total price includes everything (labor, parts, tax).
I just included the shop hours for discussion's sake.

I agree, some shop hours may be on the short side IF they run into rust, torching, etc.
If the O2 is stuck, that's a deal for 1.2 hours.
1.5 hours on the starter seems to be the worst one.

For the record, I plan to try to DIY all these on my own except clockspring & exhaust manifold.
Is the clockspring doable for a "bolt-unbolt" caliber guy?
Is the exhaust manifold doable for a "bolt-unbolt" caliber guy? Is rust a massive issue on this project?

BimmerJeeper

One more thing, I didn't even know my exhaust manifold was cracked.
What exactly is bad about this? Poison fumes getting inside the car?
Does a small crack not matter as much as a large crack?
If it gets larger, will the XJ not run properly? (Right now, it idles/drives perfectly fine)
Bottom line, how urgent is this repair? (B/c I have a massive list ahead of me)

motorcharge

Then with the parts it's pretty damn standard.

For the exhaust manifold, it's just bolted on, but the bottom bolts are a pain in the *** to get to.

It will effect gas mileage since it effects how the o2 sensor reads. It's a pretty common problem on Cherokee. Replace it with an aftermarket header, don't bother trying to repair it.