QuestionQUESTION: Ok I jus recently purchased my car it was jerking a lot when switching over into the next gear took it to the car spot they told me I needed a 02 sensor knock sensor torque converter an a tranmission bolt. I have a service agreement but they say nuthn is coverd because its electrical is that true? an how would I knw if my torque converter is bad? couldn't it be my 02 sensor I need major help because I thnk they are tryin to screw me over bt wat do u experts think? please help
ANSWER: I never heard of a service agreement that didn't cover electrical issues. Modern automobiles are mostly electrical. Yes, I would say they are trying to screw you, and they are probably also wrong about the problems in the car. If it was me, knowing that the service agreement wasn't worth the paper it was written on, I would take the car to an independent garage that actually knows what they are doing, and get them to look at it. If they find mechanical problems, you might want to try to get the first guys to fix it for free, but it doesn't sound as if they are going to be very helpful. Most likely fault is bad engine or transmission mount, in my opinion (based on the symptoms you described).
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QUESTION: They are trying to charge me 1135 for all the repairs telling me that there is nothing that they can do! i am goin to take your advice and take it to anthr shop when i asked them how much they would charge just to put my 02 sensor on he told me 70 for the labor if i buy the part cuz it takes a hour to do i dont beleve that neithr. How would i knw if my 02 sensor and knock sensor are fully done?
Answer About the charge for the oxygen sensor installation: It won't take an hour to do, but there isn't a shop in the world that is going to do anything for less than one hour's charge. That hour's worth of labor has to pay the mechanic plus all of the overhead (rent, taxes, electric, phone, maintenance on all of the shop equipment, interest on any loans, advertising, dumpster charges, business fees and licenses, bookkeeping, and a whole lot of other little things). Your best bet seems to be to let them do what needs to be done to just drive the car, get an itemized bill of what's been done, and then take it to someone else whom you feel you can trust (this might take a little research, try asking at the local independent parts store (not a chain store), they'll know who's honest and good and be happy to recommend him 'cause he's the kind of guy who makes a good customer for them). Unless these guys at the parts store know of one with a good mechanic, don't go to a tire store or a muffler store or any kind of franchise tune-up place; you need someone who's good enough to make it on his own by actually knowing what he's doing and treating people fairly so that they will come back. Good luck.
