Cost of Auto Repair question

[jejton]

The Service Engine Soon light has been on in my 04 Altima for a couple of days. I took it into the mechanic today and they just called to tell me that one of the cams and crank shafts need to be replaced. The car has almost 70K miles on it. The cost is $65 for each part and $170 for the labor. Does this sound right? I'm not accusing the mechanic of overcharging me. I really have no clue which is why I'm double checking with my trusted sources.

 

[mluz]

Did you ask them why. I think they need to explain why it would make the light come on.

Check engine light usually has to do with something regarding emissions. It could something as simple as leaving the gas cap not tight enough after filling up your tank.

I really can't see how a cam shaft would be the problem, unless you are have other issues.

Personally i would have the car checked by another mechanic.

 

[albano]

it's more probable that you need a cam or crank SENSOR. than actual cam/crank. the Nissan dealer can give a better diagnosis...maybe if you're lucky it's a recall item!

 

[TOTAL AQUARIUMS]

Sounds suspect to me. Have you noticed anything wrong with the car as far as sounds or unusual vibrations? Those aren't unimportant parts to need replacing for no reason. I'd get a second opinion, but the prices don't sound too bad for that kind of work if you ask me.

 

[inkblue]

you shouLd ALEx ...Aquatic Express he shouLd know

 

[JHOV2324]

that job should cost no more than $140 if you ask me......but i agree Alex from aquatic express has experience in mechanics

 

[jejton]

Ok I'm on the phone with him and he said its the sensor. I'm going to call Nissan and see if thats under recall as I found through google that they did a recall on an older model for the same problem.

 

[Euroreefer]

FYI, those Nissan altimas are notorious for having engine problems, I know of 3 people who have had bad luck with the altima (Engine) of those years. They also have tons of recalls on those cars. Im sure its a recall item, if not, find out what you can have replaced free thats on the recall list.

 

[jejton]

I called Nissan and they said its not on the recall list but that I should take the car to the dealer in case something that is on the recall list is causing the problem. Dont know why the mechanic here wouldnt see if it was something else. They probably want more money since the dealers are ripoffs but I'm waiting for the dealer to call me back and see what he'll say.

 

[NYreefNoob]

it's more probable that you need a cam or crank SENSOR. than actual cam/crank. the Nissan dealer can give a better diagnosis...maybe if you're lucky it's a recall item

agreed, and so you know alot of times it will read as a cam sensor and it's really a knock sensor, or vice versa. one will cause the other to seem bad, and unless you go to a dealership or a shop with top equiptment all the other shops are doing is hooking a obd2 reader up to you car and getting the code and seeing what the code is, thats not a real diagnostic check, they should be checking the omh's and voltage to see which one is bad or good, btw i did electrical diag for yr's on car's. not fun you never get paid the real amount of time involved.

 

[jerl77]

i can do it work for nissan it the cam sensor do 100s of them for the engine light

 

[jerl77]

and i work for frags lol pm if you need help

 

[jejton]

Damn it - if you had replied an hour ago I would have taken you up on it but I already gave the mechanic the go ahead because I dont have time to futz around with mechanic shopping atm.?:banghead: Are you a mechanic or just do this as a hobby

 

[jerl77]

do it for a living

 

[jerl77]

worked for nissan for about 8 years now i work for honda just the best dam car out there

 

[autoponicz]

yeah honda powa!

glad you found the problem and not get ripped off...if your crank or camshaft is bad...then you will notice easily..lol...

hey jerl77..i could use some help diagnosing a problem i been having with my swapped civic if your familair with them..pm me!

 

[jejton]

I hope I didnt get ripped off. That was the point of this thread.

 

[flipit13]

def a sensor.... would be a hell of alot more to change out the camshaft.... besides engine lights are for electrical components, so definately a sensor

 

[jerl77]

yes a sensor not the shaft

 

[jejton]

It was a cam sensor and a crank sensor. He put in OEM parts which were $65 each then labor and it came out to $391.