Any professional mechanics on DU?

[GoddessOfGuinness]

I need to get an idea on a fair price for an engine rebuild on a 6 cylinder 1995 Chevy Lumina Minivan.

And if you have any thoughts on people in the DC area MD suburbs who would do a good job, that'd be great...

Thanks! :hi:

[GoddessOfGuinness]

1. tweak

[Wcross]

2. Not a pro but I have looked into it for my car.

I was quoted a price of 2800 for a rebuilt engine installed (5 years ago). I know autozone/pep boys ect... sell rebuilts for under 1000.00- the labor is whats going to get you.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

3. I know the labor's going to be especially high on the Lumina...

Everything's so hard to get to...
I have a feeling it'll cost around 5K after all is said and done, but I'm no mechanic...

[Wapsie B]

4. Wouldn't it be cheaper

to look for a different minivan in that price range? I wish I'd have known when to say enough when repairing cars in the past. I'd have saved a bundle by foregoing the repairs and calling the junk yard.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

5. I had the transmission replaced at 100K

and a new water pump last year. I had an accident a couple of years ago that replaced the radiator and the a/c.

I figure that if I get an engine rebuild, I'll know what I've got at least...

[Wapsie B]

6. Oh water pump.

I just replaced one of those myself. Yeah you have a point about knowing what you've got with all the repairs. I just wish I could fix cars. I'd have saved enough $$ to retired on.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

7. Ain't that the truth?

I have a cousin who has his own repair shop. Too bad he's on the other side of the country!

[Wapsie B]

8. Oh that would be sweet if he was close.

My son wants to be a NASCAR mechanic, but he's got a long ways to go.

[Blue-Jay]

9. Don't pay to get *your* engine rebuilt.

It's usually cheaper to purchase a rebuilt engine from Auto Zone (or wherever) and have it installed by a trustworthy mechanic. You should also check the local junkyards. Many of them pull the engines from cars that are only damaged from behind, and will steam-clean them for cheap. If the engine only has a few thousand miles on it, you stand to save a bunch of cash.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

10. Thanks for the advice!

I always feel better if I have something to ask a mechanic that keeps me from sounding too naive about cars. I totally trust the guy who does most of my work for me, but I've also had plenty of experience with people who relish the opportunity to rip another clueless female off. :hi:

[MindPilot]

11. Would you wander into a restaurant with your own ham and eggs?

I bristle at the idea of buying the part-especially a freakin' engine--somewhere and having it installed. It costs a lot to run an auto shop and part of that is paid for by selling parts.

Providing your own parts will result in a nightmare if any warranty work becomes necessary because you are caught in the middle.

If you trust the guy, ask him the question: waddya think? He can run down the pros and cons for you.

I was a tech (we don't like to be called "mechanics") for about 20 years. There are many, many variables that go into a decision like this that go far beyond the raw costs.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

13. I simply said that I prefer not sounding totally ignorant...

I trust the man who works on my car because he takes the time to explain some of the more understandable "variables" and offers at least the illusion that he respects his clientele and their need to understand what they're shoveling out hundreds of dollars for.

If he installed rebuilt engines, I'd ask him to do the work because I know he'll give me a fair deal and do the best job possible. I fully intend to ask him to recommend businesses that do this sort of work.

At the same time, I don't think it hurts to find out what an engine costs before they put it in. It can certainly help one shop for a business that is up-front about their charges.

[tarkus]

12. I am a professional badass. NM

[GoddessOfGuinness]

14. Do you get payed well for it?

[tarkus]

15. I think you know the answer to that. NM