visit to the mechanic

[spc2125]

Hello everybody my mother has a 2004 ls v6 3.5 with approx 107xxx miles
I have an 02 alero 2.2 ecotec.... but i digress

The reason I joined this forum was so that I could get feedback from various things regarding my mothers car.
So, here it goes.

After going to the mechanic and spending over $750 already, there was a list given that my mother would still need to do

"Recommended replacing left rear stabilizer link ($135), Drive belts ($158), and oil cooler o ring ($240)"

I have a few questions.
1. Based on the given recommendations, are those fair prices? (im not sure if parts and labor are included in those prices)
2. What is a left rear stabilizing link and is there a how to thread on how to replace it? level of difficulty?
3. I was doing some searching and read in a thread that it seemed that $158 for the belts is a reasonable price... is this correct?
4. Finally, I found a thread here on how to replace oil cooler o ring and it was so basic (take off oil filter, take off bolt, change o ring). My question is do you think this is what the mechanic was talking about when he said recommended replacing oil cooler o-ring? And why the hell would it cost $240 for a job that would look like to take less than an hour?


Thank you very much for your help.

[Pilgrim]

Originally Posted by spc2125

Hello everybody my mother has a 2004 ls v6 3.5 with approx 107xxx miles
I have an 02 alero 2.2 ecotec.... but i digress

The reason I joined this forum was so that I could get feedback from various things regarding my mothers car.
So, here it goes.

After going to the mechanic and spending over $750 already, there was a list given that my mother would still need to do

"Recommended replacing left rear stabilizer link ($135), Drive belts ($158), and oil cooler o ring ($240)"

I have a few questions.
1. Based on the given recommendations, are those fair prices? (im not sure if parts and labor are included in those prices)
2. What is a left rear stabilizing link and is there a how to thread on how to replace it? level of difficulty?
3. I was doing some searching and read in a thread that it seemed that $158 for the belts is a reasonable price... is this correct?
4. Finally, I found a thread here on how to replace oil cooler o ring and it was so basic (take off oil filter, take off bolt, change o ring). My question is do you think this is what the mechanic was talking about when he said recommended replacing oil cooler o-ring? And why the hell would it cost $240 for a job that would look like to take less than an hour?


Thank you very much for your help.

1) Where to you live? Please fill out your profile. Prices differ somewhat around the US based on local labor prices.
2) I'll let others answer.
3) Seems reasonable to me. That process has been proclaimed as a royal P.I.T.A.
4) If you have an oil leak below the oil filter, then yes, it's that O-ring, and that price quote seems quite excessive to me.

[spc2125]

I cant really tell where the leak is coming from. I looked under there and its just kind of oily all over and it runs down and drips from some metal bar like 5 inches away from the drain plug

[turbizzy]

Everything seems fair except the oil cooler 0-ring part. The part itself is prob like 5 bucks but add in the cost of a new oil filter, top off the oil and partswash (cleaner) plus the labor to thoroughly clean off all the residual and it still shouldn't be that much. Im wondering if they're also quoting you for the two coolant hoses and hose clamps that go to the actual oil cooler assembly as those hoses can become swollen and leak from the oil contamination.

[spc2125]

Originally Posted by turbizzy

Everything seems fair except the oil cooler 0-ring part. The part itself is prob like 5 bucks but add in the cost of a new oil filter, top off the oil and partswash (cleaner) plus the labor to thoroughly clean off all the residual and it still shouldn't be that much. Im wondering if they're also quoting you for the two coolant hoses and hose clamps that go to the actual oil cooler assembly as those hoses can become swollen and leak from the oil contamination.

I was looking at those and they didnt seem loose nor did they seem cracked.
But if that is the case,

do you think its a DIYer?

[Pilgrim]

Originally Posted by spc2125

I was looking at those and they didnt seem loose nor did they seem cracked.
But if that is the case,

do you think its a DIYer?

Yes. Everything you need to do to replace the oil cooler gasket yourself is well documented on this forum - you only need to search.

[spc2125]

Originally Posted by Pilgrim

Yes. Everything you need to do to replace the oil cooler gasket yourself is well documented on this forum - you only need to search.

i did search that prior to posting this, as i said in my original post, however I was asking about the degree of difficulty and/or tips for completing it.

[folgersoldier]

The oil cooler gasket is a piece of cake. Youll have to dig around the forum to find the part number and its either a 24mm or 22mm deep socket you need to remove it.

The drive belts are easy too. Maybe one of the rear bolts is hard to get to I think. You need a socket with a long extension to release the tensioner, maybe a swivel I dont remember for sure. probably $60-70 total in parts for those two jobs, I'm guessing 2 hours would be plenty. Check for a leak from the high pressure hose from the power steering pump while your in that area. Look that up on the forum for info. While your down there you may as well check the lower control arm bushings too. If you see a dark half moon or half circle in the rubber you can firgure on replacing them also.
As far as the left rear link stabilizer I'm not sure what that is and havent had any problems in the back. If they are referring to the shock its a piece of cake, couple of nuts and I dont think you even have to jack up the car.

[folgersoldier]

RockAuto Auto Parts is a good source for cheap parts, Ive been pretty satisfied with theyre stuff

[spc2125]

Originally Posted by folgersoldier

The oil cooler gasket is a piece of cake. Youll have to dig around the forum to find the part number and its either a 24mm or 22mm deep socket you need to remove it.

The drive belts are easy too. Maybe one of the rear bolts is hard to get to I think. You need a socket with a long extension to release the tensioner, maybe a swivel I dont remember for sure. probably $60-70 total in parts for those two jobs, I'm guessing 2 hours would be plenty. Check for a leak from the high pressure hose from the power steering pump while your in that area. Look that up on the forum for info. While your down there you may as well check the lower control arm bushings too. If you see a dark half moon or half circle in the rubber you can firgure on replacing them also.
As far as the left rear link stabilizer I'm not sure what that is and havent had any problems in the back. If they are referring to the shock its a piece of cake, couple of nuts and I dont think you even have to jack up the car.

THANKS!! ill jack it up this weekend and take a look