Jeep dealer trying to rip off my wife? (Help..advice?)

[zq8colorado04]

We bought her a used 2008 Jeep Wrangler with 24,000 miles on it a couple of months back...it's now got 28,000 miles on it.

We took it in today for a recall that was placed on the car and to have them look at it because occasionally it would idle really low when sitting at a stoplight.

I just got a call from my wife where they told her it would cost us like $150 because it is a "carbon build-up" and that it is not covered under warranty...they're trying to scam us right?

They also told her that they needed to flush the power steering fluid and change the brake fluid.

So basically I'm thinking that they're pretty much saying that the windshield wiper fluid and the trunk monkey need to be replaced...but I wanted a second opinion before I called them up and opened up a verbal can on them...

So...what should I say/do?
__________________

[PQ]

It's a possibility. If the injectors are caked with carbon I guess it's plausible it could make it idle low.

The fluids........meh.................

[formare]

Yeah but - it should still be copvered under warranty.

[67 Convertible]

Ask what "exactly" are they going to do for $150....In detail, what will you get for $150? Then ask if their work is warranteed. Ask them what if you pay the $150 and it doesn't correct the problem?

I have never "flushed" out the power steering fluid in any car I've owned unless I had replaced the PS pump. Only time I ever flushed and replaced brake fluid is when a brake line broke. The fluids don't go bad in two months. If the fluids are that bad, it should have been done by them before you bought the vehicle.

If the repairs are not covered under warranty from the dealer, and you don't like what they're telling you they're going to do for your $150, tell them you're gonna pass on the repair. Bring it to a smaller repair shop that you trust, and get a second opinion. No need to get nasty with them, just tell them you're gonna pass. Sounds a little scammy to me though, especially the fluid thing.

[zq8colorado04]

The fluids I'm sure is a scam, I do think that there something wrong with the Jeep though...it does idle VERY low occasionally (the car shakes occasionally at a stoplight, VERY rarely)

I just believe that the "carbon build up" that they've diagnosed just may be a symptom...not the root problem and I do think even if it is the "real" problem that it should be covered under the warranty...that's why you buy a new car so you don't have to worry about being nickel and dimed about little repairs (and yes, I believe that this is a repair not a maintenance issue)

[67 Convertible]

Is the vehicle out of warranty? 2 yrs old and 28k miles, what kind of warranty do you get with a Jeep? Isn't there some kind of bumper to bumper warranty or power train warranty? If so, tell them if it's not covered, you want to open a claim with Chrysler and have a rep. tell you why a newer vehicle is not covered for this repair.

[zq8colorado04]

The original owner got a lifetime powertrain warranty, but it should still be covered under the 3 year, 36,000 mile warranty (they're saying it's not)...but we've got another 5 months on the 3 years and we're nowhere close on the 36,000 miles...I knew buying a Chrysler was a bad idea...but my wife has always wanted a Jeep Wrangler. :shrug:

[BigRigMike]

Had something similar with my wife's Malibu. It would not hold correct RPM when coasting and it was due to carbon build up in the throttle body.

Thought it would be covered under the 100,000 mile power train warranty (Car had about 75,000 miles) but was told that throttle body cleaning was considered routine maintenance. Was told that by two dealerships and one of the dealerships covered a belt alignment issue on my Grand Prix after it was well out of warranty so they were not a rip off dealership. Now I get the throttle body cleaned about every 50,000 miles.

I think the $150 is a little high because my dealership charges me $50 for a throttle body clean and another quoted $100.

Edit: But at 28,000 miles I would think the dealership would cover it even if Chrysler would not.

[2ndgenz28]

Pay with a CC so you can dispute the charges if it does nothing to fix the problem.

[2010 SSRS]

baztards

[Hupperware]

The way most dealerships fix "carbon buildup" is by putting a $4 bottle of fuel system cleaner in the tank. When it doesn't get better, they will tell you to burn through a couple tanks of gas then bring it back. It's not worth it unless they are pulling the injectors and/or cleaning the throttle body.

[MEDISIN]

Tell them for $150 they better grease your muffler bearings and flush your blinker fluid too!!

[Superman09]

$150 for carbon cleaner is way high. It is very simple to do assuming you have a flat blade screw driver and paper towels you can do it at home. buy This remove your intake tube to expose the throttle blade . Have your wife/buddy get in and turn the key to the on position (DO NOT START) and floor the gas pedal to hold the throttle blade open. Spray carb cleaner onto paper towel and wipe above and below open throttle blade. You should see it removing the black carbon stuff around the blade. Continue doing this until it is clean, then start it up and spray remaining carb cleaner directly into intake. Keep it alive it will try to die, reinstall the intake tube and you are good to go. Sounds like $150 bucks to me doesn't it.

What it may/should look like Before on top (Dirty) after on bottom (Clean)


Hope this helps ya

[Camaro2LTRSMMissouri]

I put a bottle of Lucas Injector Cleaner in the fuel tank once or twice every oil change.

http://www.lucasoil.com/products/dis...show&headTitle= -