Well, I had the opti replaced, after being a little stupid this past
weekend, washing the engine. Job was done at the chevy dealership
in MD. up off rte. 29. Total cost: $1353.26. *&%^&%$#% WOW!!
Parts: $883.50. Labor: $481.00
OPTI: $789.39 %$#&$^$ ..it! Are you F-ing kidding me?!
Coolant: $18.00(??)
When all was said and done, I was just happy to get my ride back.
Car was running great on the way home, until I started to smell
coolant. Pulled over, popped the hood, saw a little steam just
above the water pump and around the small water hoses. Also, some
coolant had leaked on the ground. I had never seen coolant this color
before. It was brownish and looked to be mostly water. Now I'm really
pissed. Continuing on the way home, it started to run hot then cool and
hot again. This seemed to happen at the traffic lights. Then suddenly,
temp went down to about where the 1/4 mark is on the guage and the
SERVICE ENG. SOON light came on. Got home popped the hood, no more
leaking or steam??? When I restarted the engine, no more SERV. ENG. SOON light?? Meanwhile, this AM, everything looked normal on the way
to the job (temp, etc.). I'm still concerned about the color of the $18
coolant. I thought it should be "greenish" or "pinkish" in color. Can
somebody give me some input on those seemingly wild prices? Also,
a reasonable explanation on what took place on my trip home (bad) and
on the way to work (good) this AM. Sorry about the length of this saga.
Thanks All.

 

Among other things, it sounds like the mechanic failed to properly "pack" and "burp" the coolant system. I'd keep an eye on things for a week or so, AND add coolant as required in the overflow tank.

The brownish color could either be corrosion in the system (signs of a previously neglected system) or from the use of GM radiator pellets which were specified for use in some years.

 

It should be a greenish yellow if they used the right coolant. If they mixed it with dexcool then you are going to have a mess on your hands.
Or they didn't flush it when they changed it.

OBTW I paid $600 for a NEW Dynaspark opti 2 years ago. I had $0.00 labor charge cause I did it myself with some help from friends (maybe it cost me a couple beers).

Sounds like typical dealer prices though. the $480+ for labor is around 4 hours which is not bad. I could probably change mine in about that time now.

 

opti can be purchased for a fraction of that if you look in the right places. Also always a good idea to have the water pump replaced as long as you're in there. Another lesson learned the hard way. Good luck with the replair hope all is well.

 

opti can be purchased for a fraction of that if you look in the right places.

Thankfully, genuine O.E.M. Opti prices have fallen over the last decade or so. I remember when they used to cost $600 bones or more.

 

Yep, that's why your temp gauge is fluctuating like that....pockets of air are passing the sending unit. For what you paid, that's inexcusable. I would call the service advisor at the dealership and demand it be made right.

 

Want something funnier ?
I went to mercedes in Paris for my old 600 SEL V12 to change plugs.
They asked for 3000 €. I say no way but did not wanted to give me the keys back only for 330 € minimum. I paid but canceled the paiement afterward (we have a law in france giving you 7 days to cancel).
I wrote to mercedes about this as I am a customer for some time now.
Never heard back....
Same for GM, mercedes or watever.

Ironicaly, it the corvette that is by far the cheapest car I have to take care of....

 

Did I read that right- 3,000 euro?

Jim

 

Hopefully it's just air in your system and most likely that's what it is. To charge you that much and give you the car back when they didn't complete the job is a crying shame and I would want something done about it.
The brownish color I've always seen that as corrosion and didn't know anything about radiator pellets in some cars. Well that's why I'm always learning something new on the forum.
Hope they get this straightened out for you so can get back to driving instead of worrying when you take it out.



Did I read that right- 3,000 euro?

Thats what I thought when I saw that. Makes our Corvettes seem pretty cheap to take care of.

 

$1353.26! Wow, makes me feel pretty good. I had the water pump, opti, upper and lower radiator hoses, coolant by-pass hose, a few new gaskets and a new serpentine belt replaced back in Oct. and the total tab incl. labor was just under $900. I did order all of the parts myself including buying the coolant and the work was done by a GM Master Tech who works at a small shop now.

 

There are a lot of very good mechanics that moonlight from their day jobs to pay their kids tuition, buy their toys, etc and they are the ones to find. No overhead, the same expertise, and....uh....cash talks. Win win for everyone....

 

So forum members, now is a good learning opportunity!

What have we learned???

1.) Never get the Opti wet (that includes cleaning the engine)

2.) Never let "the dealership" "fix" the problem

3.) If you can, do your own work because "if you want the job done right..." (you know the rest)

4.) If possible, shop around so you can save some money!

Thats all Class!

For Real, I would go back to Chevy and demand the job be done right! Especially for the amount they charge!

Hope it all works out!

 

I hope you got a "reach-around" cuz you sho-nuff got bent over the sofa on that one....and from the sounds of it the job was sloppily done and incomplete. You need to go see the owner or general manager....that kind of incompetence is inexcusable. I would not waste my time with service advisors....they will cover their own *** first.

later, tiny

 

I coulda done it for 750 with new waterpump, You need to get the cooling system burped and it sounds like a hose is leaking.

 

I paid 66 bucks for a brand new Opti purchased at that flea site. Installed it myself for a total cost around $80. It's actually not that hard to do it yourself. I'll never go to a dealership again. Knock on wood. They don't give a damn. 789 dollars for a stearler Opti? Don't get mad, get even...

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-t...-pictures.html

 

Yeah, and that is what you need to do when you want to get a C4 painted. Get someone who knows what they are doing to paint it on the side.

 

Originally Posted by Frizlefrak
There are a lot of very good mechanics that moonlight from their day jobs to pay their kids tuition, buy their toys, etc and they are the ones to find. No overhead, the same expertise, and....uh....cash talks. Win win for everyone....

Every mechanic I know worth a tinker's damn moonlights on the side. Most are more than glad to help and will even let you buy your own parts (or borrow special tools), giving you the opportunity to save even more money.

 

Where did you say this was?

 

I needed more than a "reach-around". I was looking at maybe taking
my turn.

 

I thought about it, but the weather and the fact that I wasn't to
enthused after changing wires myself for the first time this past
summer. But, real likely the next time. Thanks