I have a 2002, and I have a check engine light and my radiator is leaking.
Brought it to my mechanic and this was the diagnosis

New radiator + install + Flush= $270

[SES light - got a P0171 lean code]
Intake gasket + install = $570
(3) o2 sensors = $500 (says its a cali spec so its more)

I left out installation for the o2 sensor, and another flush, but I was stunned as he was telling me the costs, but the grand total for everything is $1600!

Does this sound right? I really pissed because I just spent about $1500 within the last month replacing the fuel pump, maf, rear calipers/rotors/brakes and a couple fluid changes when I just purchased the car.

Seems kind of on the steep side, but I can't believe how much this car is costing me to drive around. It really drove fine when I was buying it.. I guess not

 

then do the work yourself.

radiator is cheap, put one on is not that hard.

check engine light.... how does the car run? if it runs fine, don't worry about the light.

 

Most places (where I live) including dealerships and local shops would charge around $90-100 for coolant flush. So that means $170 for installed radiator which seems a bit steep to me.
o2 sensors from DaveB is about $85(?) a pop. So four of them would be about $340. A local shop installed two sensors in my bank1 for $35. So I would say $500 is a rip off.

 

He's got his C**K in you butt and he's trying to bottom out! Do it yourself...I'm sure that the lean code come about if you were overheating! I'll do it for half that!!! I'm in Houston,Tx....Get with another member or a friend and save your money for some mods.....

 

now was that really necessary?

To the OP: Like the others have said, the prices are high. I'd definitely get the 02 sensors from Dave B and do them myself

 

your getting swindled, POINT BLANK.

 

You need to call other shops in your area to see what they would charge. Prices may be dramatically different in other parts of the country. Plus many .org member choose to do repairs themsleves.

You need an intake gasket and 3 O2 sensors for a P0171 code? I thought my P0430 code (replace CAT) was expensive!!

I believe the local Nissan dealership near me wants between $200 and $300 to replace 1 O2 sensor (they wanted $160 just for the sensor!!). I ended up replacing 2 of my O2 sensors myself. They weren't that bad. I picked up an autozone O2 sensor removal tool for $10 and replaced 2 sensors (on a Cali spec) myself. It wasn't too difficult.

 

I just checked... an intake gasket set is $32.99

 

He wants to you... so try to do it yourself... save some money and learn about your car...

 

Leak is leak but you might call around for a better price. I'm not so sure about diagnosis of your SES problem - search this site and you can see yourself that the code is very misleading and statistically in most cases new MAF and ECU reprogramming at the dealer was the solution. So, I wouldn't jump on replacing intake gasket or even O2 senors and would read on this site around first regardless of the replacement cost. BTW, do your car a favour - never go to that mechanic again, he is ignorant SOB. Look at your situation from this point: right now you have a radiator leak and some sophisticated problem with engine management system which is not severe. After that guy finishes his 'fixes' you might get something else on top and it would go into another round - all at your expense.

 

If you need a new intake gasket, that is the perfect time to go with the phenolic intake spacers. $225, I believe but you can fix the vacuum leak and pick up around 10 hp at the same time. Same amount of labor too.

 

http://forums.maxima.org/6519727-post3.html

 

yeah that def sounds like a lot to me.

 

A little late are we?

 

The P0171 lean code could be a false alarm. I had that before at the same time an o2 sensor went out and hasnt came back in years.

 

Aha, and another late bloomer.

 

Bwahaha, $570 for intake gasket and install? Lol. Even if it's the cause (doubt it, see nmex's posts) It's a really quick job that I've been known to do for free once or twice back in the day for local guys that get my ssim's, Also the gasket can be re-used 99% of the time.

 

Rip off mechanics suck. I've been to two Nissan Dealers and they are the scum of the Earth. With all my idle problems I need to consider doing an intake gasket job.

 

Yes, because make sure to take care of the CEL isnt an issue because the car seems to run fine.

I am not one to flame, but this is "head in the sand" thinking.

 

Most mechanics are rip offs. An intake gasket is cheap, probably less than $50 from autozone. And I can swap out that gasket in about two or three hours, and I'm not even a mechanic. So he's charging you lawyer hourly rates to be a mechanic.

 

Most new members are complete idiots. Did you know that serpentine belts and fuel filters are actually cheaper from Nissan?

yes, in this case $540 IS a rip-off, in every way, even doing it. But consider this next time you are doing a gasket in your driveway, how much would it cost you if you had to pay lease, liability, taxes, payroll, and hundreds of other smaller expenses that must be div'ied up and figured into that before you could even see a profit?