$1,600 Estimate on E450 Maintenance Schedule!

[JudyJB]

I now have 30,000 miles on my Class C, so I called around to see who could do the Ford recommended scheduled maintenance for it. One local RV dealer only handles trailers, and a local Ford dealer said they could only handle smaller motorhomes, so I called a Ford truck dealer about 15 miles away. The service guy listed a bunch of stuff they recommended, including changing brake fluid, transmission fluid, and a bunch of other things like fluids and filters. Then I asked the price, and was told $1,600!! After momentary panic, I told him I could not possibly afford that, so he asked for the VIN number and gave me a lower quote of $1,299!! I can't afford that either!!!

So I called my son who is an engineer and has a lot of experience with cars, including rebuilding one when he was 14-15 and being certified as a parts service person and a bunch of other things when he was 17. He said I could do most of the inspections listed myself, like checking to make sure the transmission fluid on the dipstick is pink and not brown and that the cooling fluid is yellow or green, etc. (Says there are heat indicators built into the fluids.) Also, I could get my other son to crawl under and look for leaks around the transmission. Brake fluid should not have to be changed on such a young vehicle, he said. He said all the checks listed in the service manual should take less than an hour, anyway!!

Anyway, I have had the air filter changed recently and had an oil change about 4,000 miles ago, so I am going to get the tires checked and do the other checks myself. Can't believe a dealer would suggest all those things and want to charge so much, unless he figured he was dealing with a dumb female. I figured it would cost be a couple of hundred, but no where near that much. Whew!! I will get the brakes checked next time I go in for an oil change in a month.

[grammynmaggie]

Your son gave you good advice...nice having son's ...

[Acadianmom]

Judy, did you look in your service manual to see what is listed in there for 30,000 miles. The ford dealer I go to most of the things they want to check are checked for free. Maybe try calling an RV dealer and see if they recommend anyone. If you have Coach Net see if they will recommend someone. Finding service and repairs is one of the down sides of having a large Class C. I don't know what people with Class A's do.

Martha

[Bethers]

I had a bad experience with the dealer in WI where I used to live. Otherwise, have had good ones. Some Ford dealers can handle your rig. But I also would look closely at all that really needs being done - I've never had to pay that much - and had EVERYTHING looked at closely in PA a couple years ago. That one cost me money because I needed brakes and new tires - but I knew both those things in advance and the charges were in line. AND if they hadn't finished by the end of the day, they were going to run electric to my rig. Instead, they put a 2nd person working on my rig to finish so I could move on (or not, if I chose) before the end of the day.

Your son gave you good advice - and that dealer should be smacked.

[MelissaD]

The 30,000 mile service is not that major based on the list I saw. Most of it's inspections. Don't know if you are gas or diesel but the diesel will cost more. The E450 is a "2 ton" rated truck, like an F450 so being heavy duty the parts are more but should not be that bad. Shop rates are around $80/hour. Unless they need to tear things apart to do the inspection, I can't see the price. To replace a serpentine belt on my truck is several hours of labor to get to it. The belt is $70 but its 3 hours labor to get to it. Now if they have to do a transmission flush (better than a drain) some of these things could start to add up. Hard to get to it (like on a van chassis) the higher the price. I would ask them to justify the price.

If its a newer diesel with a bunch of EPA junk on it they may have some extra work to do. Since he drop the price I suspect you have the gas version.

My truck costs me at least twice what my car service costs me. Often 3 times. I had to replace a 4" long piece of hose and 2 spring loaded clamps on my turbo. Dealer only parts, not available at NAPA. $15 a clamp and $90 for 4" of hose.

Good luck

[AlmostThere]

My DD's diesel Jetta is due its inspection, too, and they wanted $1,000 to do the check. My SIL said 'no way', and is doing it all himself. Not sure what it all entails but I do know he's made trips to Napa and Home Depot for parts etc. He is a mechanic by trade and it does seem like it's taking some time for him to get it completed.

[JoanE]

I just replaced the fuel pump on my gennie. Labor was $99 per hour for diagnostics and the actual work plus parts. I was right there for the whole shebang and it was a bear getting under the rig to access everything. Took 3 hours.

[mitch5252]

I just replaced the fuel pump on my gennie. Labor was $99 per hour for diagnostics and the actual work plus parts. I was right there for the whole shebang and it was a bear getting under the rig to access everything. Took 3 hours.

..
Man, you're getting Wallet-Slapped all over the place. Have you contacted Michelin yet?
..

[retiredhappy]

I think the dealer was really taking advantage. I took my gas E450 Ford Class C to the place that does my oil changes and they checked all the belts, fluids, etc free while doing the oil change. Its actually a tire place that has a setup for doing oil changes on big motorhomes. You drive over a hole in the ground where the mechanic walks under to change oil, etc. He inspects for leaks while he's down there. All I pay for is the oil change, NOT the "inspection". If the transmission fluid is still clear and pink you don't need to change it.

[JoanE]

Michelin - yes. I called customer service the day of the incident. They sent me to a dealer nearby. I replaced 6 tires. Five were at a 70% discount and one was full cost pending my claim with Michelin. The dealer told me he did not find any "driver error" like punctures so hopefully Michelin will accept liability and reimburse me for full price tire plus damages to my rig. Waiting for receipt of claim form and must ship the bad tire.

inch by inch. Life's a cinch.

[PeggyinCT]

Hi Joan. What month and year were your new tires made? The 70% discount makes me wonder how old they are. Hopefully you'll get a full refund. Peggy

[Bethers]

tire plus damages to my rig.

Chances are if they agree to damages to your rig, it will only be to pay your insurance deductible.

[JoanE]

Hi Joan. What month and year were your new tires made? The 70% discount makes me wonder how old they are. Hopefully you'll get a full refund. Peggy

Various months in 2010.

[JoanE]

Peggy, did you mean the new replacements? 2013.

[JanetA]

Repair shops DO prey on women because they think they are ignorant and helpless and are at their mercy.

Beware and do NOT pay such exorbitant prices for service. An oilchange should cost no more than $50 and parts are not that crazy,, specialy the ones tht are routine and ordinary,, like oil filters,, air filters...belts etc.

We were in Rifle Colorado and threw a belt outside of town and pulled up to an auto parts place....got the belt replaced and bought an air filter too for $35 and change... and paid a mechanic $50 to install it,,, which involved about 30 minutes and the removal of the air cleaner which happened to have a storage of nuts from some critter than aat some point in time decided to hole up in our engine.

so,,, point is,,, be wise and be informed and don't keep paying those high prices unless it's something major, like a motor overhaul, etc...


later gators!

glad to be home.....ttyall later