datediscrete
12-15-2008, 10:12 PM
manifold cover in a Trailblazer? I came into the Chevy dealership (one that my wife and I trust over another dealership that seams to overcharge) and talked to the service shop manager about the Service Engine Soon light. (Fortunately, since I had just purchased an oil change, he didn't charge me the normal $80 to investigate the SES light.)
After hooking up his electronic test/monitoring gadget, the service shop manager said the manifold cover needed to be replaced. He raised the hood and showed me this. He said it was letting oxygen into some other parts (can't remember -- the catalytic converter and/or the engine). I asked what would be the consequences if we didn't address this. He said we could do permanent damage to the engine, and these engines are expensive. (When I asked if expensive meant $2500-$3000, he laughed and said the engine is more like $8000!)
I also asked him why this would happen to my SUV (it's a 2004 Chevy Trailblazer LT Extended, V8). He said that with the extreme temperature changes (e.g. 72 one day, 31 the next) it's not uncommon.
I then asked what the repair bill would be, and he said $500 to $600 including parts and labor. I asked if he could do it now but since it was already 2 PM and he had a full shop, he asked if I could bring it in early tomorrow morning and he'd have all the parts/equipment ready-to-go. I said fine; I'd see him around 7:30 AM.
Does this seem like good advice? Has anyone else had to do this repair?
I'm driving to Guadalajara, Mexico starting on Friday (12/19) from the north side of the Dallas metroplex, and I certainly don't want to take any big risks with auto reliability.
After hooking up his electronic test/monitoring gadget, the service shop manager said the manifold cover needed to be replaced. He raised the hood and showed me this. He said it was letting oxygen into some other parts (can't remember -- the catalytic converter and/or the engine). I asked what would be the consequences if we didn't address this. He said we could do permanent damage to the engine, and these engines are expensive. (When I asked if expensive meant $2500-$3000, he laughed and said the engine is more like $8000!)
I also asked him why this would happen to my SUV (it's a 2004 Chevy Trailblazer LT Extended, V8). He said that with the extreme temperature changes (e.g. 72 one day, 31 the next) it's not uncommon.
I then asked what the repair bill would be, and he said $500 to $600 including parts and labor. I asked if he could do it now but since it was already 2 PM and he had a full shop, he asked if I could bring it in early tomorrow morning and he'd have all the parts/equipment ready-to-go. I said fine; I'd see him around 7:30 AM.
Does this seem like good advice? Has anyone else had to do this repair?
I'm driving to Guadalajara, Mexico starting on Friday (12/19) from the north side of the Dallas metroplex, and I certainly don't want to take any big risks with auto reliability.