Parts Catalog Accessories Catalog How To Articles Tech Forums
Call Pelican Parts at 888-280-7799
Shopping Cart Cart | Project List | Order Status | Help



Go Back   PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum > General Discussions > Off-Topic Discussion

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 03-01-2007, 01:08 PM
Running on pure optimism.
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Posts: 222
non-MB question for mechanics

Hello paid mechanics-

My best friend just took a job out in Tuscon, AZ, and yesterday was day 1 of his drive there from CT. He made it to VA when his water pump blew. Now he's stuck and the mechanic is quoting him $1500. That seems pretty steep to me. I was wondering if any of you know how much it should be. The car is a 1997 Plymouth Neon. I know, I know... you may be wondering how I could call him my best friend when he drives a Neon. Trust me, I tried to convince him to get an old Mercedes, but he doesn't quite appreciate the finer things in life...like learning how to do it yourself.

He's about to shell out the dough, so quick responses would be really appreciated. Thanks!

__________________
1983 MB 300SD Turbo Diesel
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 03-01-2007, 01:24 PM
LarryBible
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
That quote is probably doing a timing belt and everything while he's in there. It still sounds high.

BTW, my best friend drives a Chevy pickup but he's still my best friend.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 03-01-2007, 01:34 PM
Mistress's Avatar
No crying in baseball
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Inside a vortex
Posts: 626
Quote:
Originally Posted by JimZ View Post
Hello paid mechanics-

My best friend just took a job out in Tuscon, AZ, and yesterday was day 1 of his drive there from CT. He made it to VA when his water pump blew. Now he's stuck and the mechanic is quoting him $1500. That seems pretty steep to me. I was wondering if any of you know how much it should be. The car is a 1997 Plymouth Neon. I know, I know... you may be wondering how I could call him my best friend when he drives a Neon. Trust me, I tried to convince him to get an old Mercedes, but he doesn't quite appreciate the finer things in life...like learning how to do it yourself.

He's about to shell out the dough, so quick responses would be really appreciated. Thanks!
No, thats too high. Where in Va. is he? If he's in Arlington, Va. have him call Rocky at Gray's auto-703-522-3829
__________________
"It's normal for these things to empty your wallet and break your heart in the process."
2012 SLK 350
1987 420 SEL
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 03-01-2007, 01:44 PM
Running on pure optimism.
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Posts: 222
I'm pretty sure he's around Richmond, so pretty well beyond a tow back up to Arlington. I'll give him that number to call anyway. Maybe he can get a quote and convince the mechanic he's at to lower the price??
__________________
1983 MB 300SD Turbo Diesel
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 03-01-2007, 01:58 PM
Mistress's Avatar
No crying in baseball
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Inside a vortex
Posts: 626
Quote:
Originally Posted by JimZ View Post
I'm pretty sure he's around Richmond, so pretty well beyond a tow back up to Arlington. I'll give him that number to call anyway. Maybe he can get a quote and convince the mechanic he's at to lower the price??
He might argue about demographics....
__________________
"It's normal for these things to empty your wallet and break your heart in the process."
2012 SLK 350
1987 420 SEL
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 03-01-2007, 02:03 PM
Running on pure optimism.
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Posts: 222
I'm already searching craigslist in VA and AZ for diesel MB's to replace his pile of crap.

Apparently it's the water pump, timing belt, camshaft tensioner, and various other parts involved in this thing. He was driving on the highway, his check engine light came on, and immediately the car started smoking. He stopped right away, so hopefully only the minimum amount of stuff crapped out.
__________________
1983 MB 300SD Turbo Diesel
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 03-01-2007, 02:08 PM
biobenz240d's Avatar
WNY Biodiesel Coop
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Western New York
Posts: 263
Bent over a barrel

A neon is front wheel drive, with little to no room near the water pump. Most of the work to replace the water pump will go on through the wheel well with the tire off. Take into the account that your friend is not a local, its quite obvious that the price reflects that, the mechanic "has him over a barrel" ( So thats where that expression comes from!!!!! ): If his car was a mercedes ,you could change it on the side of the road in less than an hour.
__________________
'83 240D 264k on 100% biodiesel/ 31mpg
83 300D 217K the $800 gem
'82 300D 267K the new WVO project car finished and driving for free
International tractor B275 on B100
Ford 555 backhoe on B100
Sargent 25 ton Rough Terrain crane on B50
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 03-01-2007, 03:34 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,108
For a 97 neon, doesn't 1500 mean its totalled? Thats like half the value.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 03-01-2007, 03:44 PM
Hatterasguy's Avatar
Zero
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Milford, CT
Posts: 19,318
Thats like all its value, a 1997 Neon wasn't worth anything new.

Figure parts are about $200 labor more. Nah they are getting ripped there is no way its that much.

My uncle had the first timing belt done on my 4cy Camry, and that included the water pump. Total bill was like $400, which was high its not that hard to do.

I just looked up the parts on Advanced Autos website.

Water pump $30-$50.
Timing belt $40-$70
Throw in another $30 for gaskets, figure a valve cover gasket at least.

Tell the mechanic to go f**k himself and stop trying to take advantage of your friend.
__________________
1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 03-01-2007, 04:01 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,392
check cars. or autotrader.theres a couple diesels on each within 100 miles of richmond.
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 03-01-2007, 04:30 PM
Dubyagee's Avatar
All fields are required
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: SE
Posts: 8,721
Those are disposable cars made by Bic.

Waterpump service on those is labor intensive. Not worth $1500 though.

The problem is stated on the trunklid.

Needs
Engine
Overhaul
Now
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 03-01-2007, 05:20 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,108
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dubyagee View Post
Those are disposable cars made by Bic.

Waterpump service on those is labor intensive. Not worth $1500 though.

The problem is stated on the trunklid.

Needs
Engine
Overhaul
Now

My buddy's on his 4th engine. Finally realized for a car to go fast it needs a real engine, and now he wants a V8
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 03-01-2007, 05:21 PM
Larry Delor's Avatar
What, Me Worry?
 
Join Date: Jun 1999
Location: Sarasota, Fl.
Posts: 3,114
He's better off to go to the junkyard and get a aux. pump from a 123 and jury rig it onto his Neon. Probably last longer too.

Not only do you have friends, but at least one of them owns a car too. This is good news for you.
__________________
It is a truism that almost any sect, cult, or religion will legislate its creed into law if it acquires the political power to do so. Robert A. Heinlein


09 Jetta TDI
1985 300D
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 03-01-2007, 05:24 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,108
Do you one better, I only have one friend, but he's got multiple cars.
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 03-01-2007, 08:27 PM
Hatterasguy's Avatar
Zero
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Milford, CT
Posts: 19,318
I'd throw the keys of the Neon to a charity if you can find one, or the mechanic. Its not worth anything at this point. Then have your friend rent a car to continue the drive, when they get out to where they will be living they can buy a car.

Or they can go into the nearist whatever dealer and buy a new car, I know people who have done that.

__________________
1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200
Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On




All times are GMT -4. The time now is 07:57 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Search Engine Optimization by vBSEO 3.6.0
Copyright 2024 Pelican Parts, LLC - Posts may be archived for display on the Peach Parts or Pelican Parts Website -    DMCA Registered Agent Contact Page