$1250 to change the ATF and filter. Really?

[sandiego]

Dealer A wanted $1250 to change the ATF and filter. (Same dealer who wanted $700 to replace the horn.) Dealer B wants only $700 for the work. So word to the wise, check different dealers for prices.

BTW Dealer B suggests you not be in a hurry to change the ATF because sometimes doing so brings on problems not present before the change. They didn't say why but it could be that some of the dormant sludge/particles become dislodged and caused these problems.

[jdubbya]

Originally Posted by sandiego

Dealer A wanted $1250 to change the ATF and filter. (Same dealer who wanted $700 to replace the horn.) Dealer B wants only $700 for the work. So word to the wise, check different dealers for prices.

BTW Dealer B suggests you not be in a hurry to change the ATF because sometimes doing so brings on problems not present before the change. They didn't say why but it could be that some of the dormant sludge/particles become dislodged and caused these problems.

I just checked with a dealer about replacing my power steering pump and lines. While there I asked about also doing the serpentine belt which needs to come off to replace the pump anyway. I thought it was great when I saw the total was less than $300. Until I noticed that was just for the belt...LABOR ONLY! Plus another $1K in labor to do the pump. Total estimate was $1300 and that's with me providing the parts that I already purchased thinking I'd do it myself. After seeing what it was going to take to get to it I thought maybe I'd just pay someone else to do it.

Have a couple well respected independent shops near me I'm going to check with but if they are even close to that I guess I'll dig into it myself after all.

$300 in labor to do the serpentine belt seems ridiculous to me but then again so does $1250 to change the ATF and filter. Hell, even $700 seems like a lot for a fairly straightforward job. Does the include the transfer cases too? If so maybe it's not too bad.

[TT Oversteer]

A $50 filter kit and 10qts of Aisin ATF @ $7 = $120 in parts. You'll need a $10 ATF pump from the local auto parts store. Measure the fluid temp with a $35 Harbor Freight laser thermometer to top off the level while running. The whole job will take you an hour. You just saved a thousand bucks.