$342 to get FLUIDS changed?!?!?!
10-16-2008, 10:59 PM
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$342 to get FLUIDS changed?!?!?! No matter who you are, you most likely know more about these cars than I do...so please contribute some answers and dont just leave me hanging. Thanks! I am a car noob. I am on my second car (a totally stock 94 trans am M6 with 90,000 miles in very good condition(or was)) and the biggest thing I have ever done to a car is change a tire...Yes, it is sad, but do me a favor and make fun of me behind my back and not on this thread 
I went to the place my mom gets her oil changed at for her Honda CR-V, it is one of those real quick drive in and sit in a lobby for 15 min and you are out of there, but apparently you really pay for convenience. I lost one of my jobs a while ago and could not pay insurance on the trans am...the car was not driven for quite some time and now when ever I drive it the check engine light comes on(so i stopped driving it). It also makes squeaky noises when i turn the car(forgive my lack of car knowledge). I bought the car from a dealer not too long ago and was going to get all fluids changed so when the guy at my moms place told me it was going to be like $342...I was shocked. I have to save money for college and can not and will not pay that.
Here is what I am thinking. is it that hard to change all fluids(i want to change everything so know what has and hasnt been done)? I have a mechanically inclined friend who could help me...1.How much would it cost me to buy all the fluids myself(I want the good stuff)? 2.What exactly does all fluids mean(oil, rearend, tranny, coolant...what else??? 3. Anything else I should change or check? 4. WHat fluids are best for the $$$(best oil, best tranny fluid etc? I have heard great things about ROYAL PURPLE, but I am not sure if that is the best gig for a high mileage engine, even though I wouldnt mind the few HP!! I just ordered a GMMG exhaust today and will also be getting LPP LT headers and ORY and a CAI if that makes any difference since my car wont be stock any longer. As always thanks guys.
I went to the place my mom gets her oil changed at for her Honda CR-V, it is one of those real quick drive in and sit in a lobby for 15 min and you are out of there, but apparently you really pay for convenience. I lost one of my jobs a while ago and could not pay insurance on the trans am...the car was not driven for quite some time and now when ever I drive it the check engine light comes on(so i stopped driving it). It also makes squeaky noises when i turn the car(forgive my lack of car knowledge). I bought the car from a dealer not too long ago and was going to get all fluids changed so when the guy at my moms place told me it was going to be like $342...I was shocked. I have to save money for college and can not and will not pay that.
Here is what I am thinking. is it that hard to change all fluids(i want to change everything so know what has and hasnt been done)? I have a mechanically inclined friend who could help me...1.How much would it cost me to buy all the fluids myself(I want the good stuff)? 2.What exactly does all fluids mean(oil, rearend, tranny, coolant...what else??? 3. Anything else I should change or check? 4. WHat fluids are best for the $$$(best oil, best tranny fluid etc? I have heard great things about ROYAL PURPLE, but I am not sure if that is the best gig for a high mileage engine, even though I wouldnt mind the few HP!! I just ordered a GMMG exhaust today and will also be getting LPP LT headers and ORY and a CAI if that makes any difference since my car wont be stock any longer. As always thanks guys.
10-17-2008, 12:31 AM
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Check out this website it is very informational on all three fluids in the drivetrain. http://www.bfranker.badz28.com/fbody/lubeoil.htm
I used Mobile 1 Full Synthetic 5w-30 oil (5 quarts) $30, Mobile 1 Oil Filter $12, Moble 1 ATF trans fluid (4 quarts) $34, and Royal Purple 75w-90 differential fluid (2 quarts) $38. It costs about $114 with tax if you want to do all three fluid changes with a friend. You will spend at least 5 hours if you have not done these changes before.
I used Mobile 1 Full Synthetic 5w-30 oil (5 quarts) $30, Mobile 1 Oil Filter $12, Moble 1 ATF trans fluid (4 quarts) $34, and Royal Purple 75w-90 differential fluid (2 quarts) $38. It costs about $114 with tax if you want to do all three fluid changes with a friend. You will spend at least 5 hours if you have not done these changes before.
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10-17-2008, 12:45 AM
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I hate to say it but I call rape. I just did my trans, oil, and diff for $65 for "the good stuff" lmao liquid gold. Really do it yourself or find someone thats into f-bodies in your area. Hell a 12 pack and 20 bucks would do most people
10-17-2008, 01:30 AM
#11
I have a mechanically inclined friend who could help me...
10-17-2008, 02:05 AM
#12
Start with the small stuff yourself......... Motor oil is easy. Jack up the front of your car, take out the oil drain plug and let the oil drain into a container, replace filter, and refill with oil.
Coolant in the radiator is SUPER easy, just put your car on a decline and raise it about 4 inches, Uncap the radiator then simply twist the nozzle on the bottom of the radiator and let the coolant drip into an old milk jug.......
If you just want a little fresh fluid in your transmission you may also purchase a MITYVAC. You basically inster a long clear tube in the Transmission Dip stick tube............. suck out 6-7 quarts........ and replace 6-7 quarts. Now , u will not be able to suck out much more than that (usually takes closer to 10 quarts). This also does not help you if you wanted to change out the transmission fluid filter.
All these three things can be taken care of within a matter of 1.5 hours or so.
Coolant in the radiator is SUPER easy, just put your car on a decline and raise it about 4 inches, Uncap the radiator then simply twist the nozzle on the bottom of the radiator and let the coolant drip into an old milk jug.......
If you just want a little fresh fluid in your transmission you may also purchase a MITYVAC. You basically inster a long clear tube in the Transmission Dip stick tube............. suck out 6-7 quarts........ and replace 6-7 quarts. Now , u will not be able to suck out much more than that (usually takes closer to 10 quarts). This also does not help you if you wanted to change out the transmission fluid filter.
All these three things can be taken care of within a matter of 1.5 hours or so.
10-17-2008, 08:30 AM
#13
Did you ask exactly what fluids he was going to do? If you just said "all" he may be thinking things like power steering and brakes in addition to the commonly thought of coolant, oil, tranny and rearend. To do all that is a lot of work. It is work that can be done in the driveway at home but is time consuming and at a shop time costs a lot of money.
You have an M6 so the poster who said you need a machine is wrong, it s a simple drain plug, though filling it is a little hassle. Last I did one we actually removed the shifter and poured in through there just using the side hole to check level.
Honestly this is a big first project, I would encourage you to find someone knowledgable locally and see if they will give you a hand for $50 or something.
The squeeking while turning, can you feel it in the steering wheel?? If so I would suspect it is the belt. If not I would again find someone experianced who can help and have them help you change wheel bearings on the frontend. When I was young and inexperianced I ignored a turning squeek from the frontend and welded a wheelbearing to the spindle by driving it till the wheel litterally kicked out and was not vertical anymore, the brkes were all that were holding it close to straight.
Do not get carried away with fancy fluids either.
10-17-2008, 08:36 AM
#14
That price sounds reasonable.
You have the cost of meterials, and disposal.
The LABOR!! which can be anywhere bettween 70-100$ per hour.
The Service writer is trying to make money and honda/acura dealerships make most of their $$$ that way. Their cars dont break like a Ford/Chevy
You probably have 2-3 guys working on the car to get the job done that quickly. I would also have everything spelling out on the Work RO.
Like others said there are special machines used, because its quicker and more complete. Probably a BG machine.
I personally change all my fluids but sometimes it just pays to have someone else do it.
You have the cost of meterials, and disposal.
The LABOR!! which can be anywhere bettween 70-100$ per hour.
The Service writer is trying to make money and honda/acura dealerships make most of their $$$ that way. Their cars dont break like a Ford/Chevy
You probably have 2-3 guys working on the car to get the job done that quickly. I would also have everything spelling out on the Work RO.
Like others said there are special machines used, because its quicker and more complete. Probably a BG machine.
I personally change all my fluids but sometimes it just pays to have someone else do it.
10-17-2008, 09:36 AM
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These cars might be older but they are expensive as all hell to get repaired in a shop. Shops other than performance shops hate doing lt1/ls1 cars because the motor is so crammed in the engine bay. I think ur fluid change is pretty close to a the price it should be. When your ready for a tune up be ready to throw down anywhere from 500-750 bucks at a repair shop. So if you have a buddy or can find some guys on this site that are really good at workin on lt1 cars like i have found then have them help u throw em some cash and buy em beer lol. Its good to find guys on here in ur area and help eachother out. In the end it makes modding ur car and doing maintenance work ten times cheaper and easier.
10-17-2008, 09:51 AM
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then dont ever complain when a transmission junks on ya it always amazes me the amount of people who make that comment. and as far as the price goes, that is about right paying to take it and get fluids changed. you look in comparison, gm charges about 28.00 a bottle for rear end dope (x2) dex-cool coolant is about 25.00 a jug, if you opt for mobil 1 i believe we charge 6.00 or so a quart. then you have to consider labor. **** adds up quick paying someone to do it.
it always amazes me the amount of people who make that comment. and as far as the price goes, that is about right paying to take it and get fluids changed. you look in comparison, gm charges about 28.00 a bottle for rear end dope (x2) dex-cool coolant is about 25.00 a jug, if you opt for mobil 1 i believe we charge 6.00 or so a quart. then you have to consider labor. **** adds up quick paying someone to do it.
10-17-2008, 10:18 AM
#20
Ive seen it again and again, changing fluids...BAM! bye bye tranny....
BTW, I just checked my tranny fluid and is pink and nice. Almost as if it was changed yesterday.
Last edited by chaman; 10-17-2008 at 10:30 AM.