Budget Buster-Motor Mounts

Zydebearsmom

Mouseketeer
Joined
Jul 13, 2009
Messages
182
I have a 2005 Chrysler Pacifica, I took it to the dealership this morning for a throttle body service ($99.00). They told me that it would not help me because I need a complete induction service ($289.00) a new oxygen sensor ($219.00) and I have defective motor mounts ($568.00). Are motor mounts really that expensive to replace? Should I shop around? Do the people that check you in at the dealership get commision for upselling?
 
Definitely check around - get recommendations from family, friends, and/or coworkers for local mechanics.

I recently had some major engine work done - deal quoted me $2200, local guy did the exact same work for $900 (he's been "our mechanic" for years - once you find a good one, you'll be all set!).

Good luck! In my experience, the dealership ALWAYS charges more.
 
I would get SEVERAL opinions as it's very seldom that motor mounts go bad and it seems like the dealership is trying for a money-grab with your wallet. Get second opinions on all of those things.
 
We had to replace the motor mounts on our 2002 Honda Odyssey last year and it was about $200 to do so with our mechanic. I'm sure it would have been at least 2x that at the dealer.
 

Just traded in my 2006 Pacifica for the same reasons. Dealership also told me I needed a new catalytic converter and possibly a valve job....that was another $3,000. Unfortunately my dealership quoted me about the same for the motor mounts.

At the time, the motor mounts and catalytic converter were on national backorder and they couldn't tell me when they would get the parts. I did continue to drive it locally for another year and it never left me stranded. However, I'm sure if I lived in a state that required emissions testing it would have never passed (the exhaust smell was noticeably stronger than normal).

If you do your research online you'll find that these are common problems in the Pacifica. Chrysler is well aware that the motor mounts have failed prematurely in many of these vehicles but refuses to issue a recall. Same story with the throttle...

Good luck!
 
Motor mounts can absolutely be that expensive depending on how they have to be replaced. In some vehicles, you can merely hoist the engine up a bit to remove the mounts. In other vehicles, you practically have to take the engine out to get to the mounts. Now, having said that, rarely do all 4 mounts break at once. Generally it's only one mount, perhaps 2. There is no need to replace any mount that is not broken. That's a waste of money.

Have you had your Check Engine light on in the van? A defective O2 sensor will trip the Engine light. Generally the way a mechanic knows it's the O2 sensor is because they have run the computer codes. Did your mechanic run your van's codes? If he did - WHY did he when you came in for a throttle body service? (There ARE other symptoms, but they can be confused for other causes.)

So far as the induction service goes, it's basically just a fuel system cleaning. The 2 things you get out of it (usually) is a fuel injection cleaning and a (ta-dah!) throttle body cleaning. Now, this can be good if you're getting ratty gas and subsequent bad gas mileage. Most of the time though, it's not necessary. I would recommend a tune-up and a bottle of Fuel System Cleaner from your local auto parts store before a fuel induction service.

Personally, I never do business at a dealership. I've found that their service tends to be priced much higher than a general mechanic and they push services that just aren't necessary. I would take the vehicle to a local mechanic with a good reputation and ask for a thorough inspection. Let them know that you were told you needed motor mounts and ask for a separate quote. You can quite easily price the mounts yourself by calling NAPA or another local auto parts store. Labor can only come from the mechanic himself.

Good luck!
 
Motor mounts can absolutely be that expensive depending on how they have to be replaced. In some vehicles, you can merely hoist the engine up a bit to remove the mounts. In other vehicles, you practically have to take the engine out to get to the mounts. Now, having said that, rarely do all 4 mounts break at once. Generally it's only one mount, perhaps 2. There is no need to replace any mount that is not broken. That's a waste of money.

Have you had your Check Engine light on in the van? A defective O2 sensor will trip the Engine light. Generally the way a mechanic knows it's the O2 sensor is because they have run the computer codes. Did your mechanic run your van's codes? If he did - WHY did he when you came in for a throttle body service? (There ARE other symptoms, but they can be confused for other causes.)

So far as the induction service goes, it's basically just a fuel system cleaning. The 2 things you get out of it (usually) is a fuel injection cleaning and a (ta-dah!) throttle body cleaning. Now, this can be good if you're getting ratty gas and subsequent bad gas mileage. Most of the time though, it's not necessary. I would recommend a tune-up and a bottle of Fuel System Cleaner from your local auto parts store before a fuel induction service.

Personally, I never do business at a dealership. I've found that their service tends to be priced much higher than a general mechanic and they push services that just aren't necessary. I would take the vehicle to a local mechanic with a good reputation and ask for a thorough inspection. Let them know that you were told you needed motor mounts and ask for a separate quote. You can quite easily price the mounts yourself by calling NAPA or another local auto parts store. Labor can only come from the mechanic himself.

Good luck!

Yes, my check engine light was on, but I did not ask them to run the code because I already knew about the sensor. I was surprised they had ran it because they normally charge you a diagnostic fee. Thanks for everyones help my dh is going to take it for a second opinion tomorrow.
 
We have a 2005 Pacifica and we had to replace the motor mounts about a year ago. We had our mechanic do it and as I recall it ran about $350.
 
Here are some thoughts........

Get a non dealer service center to do the motor mounts and the O2 sensor. Ask the non dealer business to install a genuine Chrysler O2 sensor even if it costs a few more bucks.

If after the sensor is replaced, you still get a light and/or codes, have the root cause investigated.

I will say that the throttle body/induction service is often not really required, and is often a non Chrysler chemical system that the dealer uses and they make a ton of profit on it.

I hope you get your repairs finished soon and the bill is somewhat reasonable.
 




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