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OT mechanics question

Posted on 12/30/21 at 11:02 am
Posted by Bloodworth
North Ga
Member since Oct 2007
4248 posts
Posted on 12/30/21 at 11:02 am
2010 Nissan Sentra

Service engine light started flashing.
Wife drove about 5 miles to shop and dropped off. Maybe less than 5 miles. Not more for sure. Shop estimate 1200.00 repair needed to replace plugs and coils. Saying 2 coils melted. Also replacing intake manifold gasket. I trust this shop and have always felt repair costs have been fair.

Does this repair cost sound fair? Would appreciate some feedback.
Posted by beerJeep
Louisiana
Member since Nov 2016
38166 posts
Posted on 12/30/21 at 11:02 am to
quote:

Does this repair cost sound fair? Would appreciate some feedback.


I know a shop that’ll do it for tree fiddy
Posted by Splackavellie
Bayou
Member since Oct 2017
12468 posts
Posted on 12/30/21 at 11:05 am to
Was it shaking or running as normal? How many miles on the vehicle? Is it a daily driver? Are you OT rich? Alot goes into determining if the cost to repair a vehicle is worth it.

Not familiar with that particular vehicle but you could start with just changing the plugs and coils yourself if they are easily accessible. Ive done it on one of my vehicles and it isnt hard.
This post was edited on 12/30/21 at 11:06 am
Posted by Bloodworth
North Ga
Member since Oct 2007
4248 posts
Posted on 12/30/21 at 11:08 am to
I was not driving it when the light came on but son says it was shuttering when accelerating so it was misfiring. Car has about 150k miles.
Posted by Splackavellie
Bayou
Member since Oct 2017
12468 posts
Posted on 12/30/21 at 11:11 am to
If you are at all mechanically inclined, look up changing plugs and coils on the tube. Can probably find a video on it. I would start there. Actually, would start with the plugs first. Could be an easy fix.
Posted by terd ferguson
Darren Wilson Fan Club President
Member since Aug 2007
114703 posts
Posted on 12/30/21 at 11:12 am to
quote:

replace plugs and coils


Easy to do if you're somewhat mechanically inclined
Posted by slacker130
Your mom
Member since Jul 2010
8965 posts
Posted on 12/30/21 at 11:14 am to
Plugs & coils are easy, intake manifold gasket isn't.
Posted by Jim Rockford
Member since May 2011
104947 posts
Posted on 12/30/21 at 11:19 am to
Often times the cost isn't the procedure, it's what you have to do to get access. I could replace the oil pressure sensor on my old truck myself. On my new truck they had to partially unmount the engine to get to it.
Posted by cahoots
Member since Jan 2009
9134 posts
Posted on 12/30/21 at 11:19 am to
(no message)
This post was edited on 12/30/21 at 11:57 am
Posted by Bolivar Shagnasty
Your mothers corner
Member since Aug 2017
726 posts
Posted on 12/30/21 at 11:19 am to
quote:

Plugs & coils are easy, intake manifold gasket isn't.


This.


I have a 07 Civic I drive to save on gas. I changed the 4 plugs and coil packs earlier this year. $179.

The manifold gasket is a PIA. Labor intensive. That is the bulk of the cost with your shop. Sound about right for everything .
Posted by Bloodworth
North Ga
Member since Oct 2007
4248 posts
Posted on 12/30/21 at 11:22 am to
Thanks Boliver... I can do the basic repairs sometimes. The labor is 450.00 and the parts make up the rest. Apparently coils aren’t cheap.
Posted by slacker130
Your mom
Member since Jul 2010
8965 posts
Posted on 12/30/21 at 11:25 am to
quote:

Apparently coils aren’t cheap.


I wouldn't think they'd be over $200 for the coils
Posted by jaytothen
Member since Jan 2020
8616 posts
Posted on 12/30/21 at 11:26 am to
Intake manifold gasket isn't hard, just takes time.

Depending on how much you value your time, I'd do it myself. Or just do the plugs and coils yourself to save some bucks.
Posted by weadjust
Member since Aug 2012
15732 posts
Posted on 12/30/21 at 11:32 am to
quote:

Apparently coils aren’t cheap.


Nissan OEM coils from dealer $100-150 each. Rock Auto Hitachi or Denso coils are $40ish each. You could save some money going to an independent shop.
Posted by RoyalAir
Detroit
Member since Dec 2012
7401 posts
Posted on 12/30/21 at 11:33 am to
quote:

Intake manifold gasket isn't hard, just takes time


This. It's not particularly hard, and the gasket itself is cheap.

Posted by slacker130
Your mom
Member since Jul 2010
8965 posts
Posted on 12/30/21 at 11:41 am to
I would go decent aftermarket and skip the OEM $.

Also, invest in a code reader. First time you use it, it'll pay for itself.

I have the BlueDriver OBDII Scan Tool, paid $99 for it and it is bluetoothed to your phone. Super easy to use, gives the code, most likely repairs to least likely, links to parts. It's really idiot proof and the first sensor you replace on your own, you pay for it. Works on every car past '96.
Posted by holmesbr
Baton Rouge, La.
Member since Feb 2012
4018 posts
Posted on 12/30/21 at 11:43 am to
If it has a timing belt and has not been changed, now may be a good time.
Also, when the shop starts the estimate with "how long do you plan on keeping the car?". It's going to be a big number relative to car value.
Posted by Obtuse1
Westside Bodymore Yo
Member since Sep 2016
30162 posts
Posted on 12/30/21 at 11:48 am to
quote:

2010 Nissan Sentra

Service engine light started flashing.
Wife drove about 5 miles to shop and dropped off. Maybe less than 5 miles. Not more for sure. Shop estimate 1200.00 repair needed to replace plugs and coils. Saying 2 coils melted. Also replacing intake manifold gasket. I trust this shop and have always felt repair costs have been fair.

Does this repair cost sound fair? Would appreciate some feedback.



The joys of accessing coil over plug coils on a transverse-mounted engine.

Price is probably spot on for a shop around $125 an hour.

You have to take off a lot of stuff including the intake plenum (the reasons for the gasket) to get to the cylinder bank that is against the firewall.

Someone mechanically inclined and having the tools can do the job in under 3 hours taking their time. Parts price depending on the brand of the coils is probably $700-800.

The parts bought from one of the major online parts houses would be more like $300 for quality ones like Denso.

Do not let them put cheap no-name coils in it. I have seen a ton of them go back and it always seems to be on the back bank. You can change any one of the three on the front bank in under 10 minutes.


ETA if by chance you try to youtube and DIY get a set of the wire connectors that attach to the coil before starting the project along with the other parts. On a car that old the current ones may disintegrate in your hands. You can usually find them for 15-20 bucks on Amazon or eBay. The connectors usually come with 5-6 inches of wire on them do NOT cut and splice your wires! The connector will disassemble and you can click the old wires right into the connector and reassemble it. They are all different but it usually requires taking off a cover then pushing down a little tab next to the wire to release them, the wires on the car will them click into place.

This post was edited on 12/30/21 at 11:57 am
Posted by Bloodworth
North Ga
Member since Oct 2007
4248 posts
Posted on 12/30/21 at 11:54 am to
Thanks Obtuse... I unfortunately am not in good place to work on this one on my own right now. I am mainly curious to see if this shop is gouging me. Haven’t had a shop bill this high in a long time.
Posted by Spankum
Miss-sippi
Member since Jan 2007
61779 posts
Posted on 12/30/21 at 11:59 am to
That sounds like a fair price to do the work you mentioned. Whether the work is needed, I can’t tell without more info.
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