98 injector replacement cost

[roger beck]

Its great to find a forum like this, too bad I didn't find it before as it would be good help. But i just wanted to get an idea of what the replacement cost for 1 fuel injector might be, around, approximately, depending on hourly rate, etc. My estimate is $550 and that seems high, their rate is $100/hour. This is at an independent repair shop. I asked them if the injector could be cleaned instead and he said it needed to be replaced as it was an electrical problem. How, exactly, would he know that it was an electrical problem?

 

[brian2sun]

If he put the injector on a volt/resistance meter and the #s weren't in spec, then he would be able to determine it's an electrical issue with the injector rather than a flow issue. You can get rebuilt injectors in the $50-$100 range or new ones in the $120-160 range. The labor cost would depend on what engine you have so we need to know that 1st (please put the details of your rig in your signature so we can see it) and if you have the 3.4L V6, which cylinder your replacing the injector on affects the labor cost. If it's on cyl. # 1, 3, or 5 (passeger side) you don't have to take the intake plenum off and the labor to swap and injector on that side should be ~1-1.5 hours. If it's on 2, 4, or 6 (driver side) the labor would be at least 1 hour more.

 

[roger beck]

The diagnostics said #3 was not firing, but it took a couple of shops to figure it was the injector and not the plug, glad its not the transmission. Thanks for your info. I had to go ahead with it and the guy just called to say its ready. I'll pick it up and see what the bill looks like. Of course he knew he had me when I asked "how many injectors does it have?" :zoom:

 

[brian2sun]

I'm guessing ~$200-225.

 

[roger beck]

Diagnostics - 95
labor replace injector - 260
Injector - 185
4 seals - 12

total 556

Its always done fast and done right and the guy has very good diagnostic skills, and he is near to me. Was thinking this could get expensive if some other injectors decided to go out.

 

[TheDurk]

Well, if the estimate was $550 I'm guessing it's $550. $180 for injector, $20 for O-rings & misc. makes $200 in parts plus 2.5 hours at $100 per still only get you $450.

It should be less hours for a #3 and dealer MSRP is a rip-off for an indie. Try and knock 20% off the parts (he gets that from the dealer, IF he bought it there) and at least an hour off the labor rate. "....passenger side, dude, that a piece of cake...how long did it REALLY take?" Then tell him your twin brother who doesn't know cars brought it in....

EDIT: didn't see your last post while I was typing--so I was spot on except for the diagnostics. I stand by my suggestions.

 

[roger beck]

I don't remember him charging me the diagnostic before but I had brought it in to him before and the symptom was not happening when they test drove it, it only happens when i drive it. ;+) So i brought it back to him a second time after the symptom was more obvious and he probably charged me diagnostics for all the time he spent on it. Used to be they didnt charge you diagnostics if you used them for the repair, only if you said "No thanks" and went somewhere else.

Don't get me started on converters. ;+)

If I had come here with the symptom first, probably could have diagnosed it and at least tried cleaning it first. He gets the parts from a supply store nearby, prolly at a discount.

thanks again, ...

 

[brian2sun]

#3 is a piece of cake, they got you good for the labor. Looks like they charged you 3 hours for a 1 hour job and the diagnostics should have been waived (at least most respectable shops would have). I would tell him what you know now because that's a rip off IMO. People have got their timing belts and water pumps done for that or less. There is no way that would take 3 hours even if they cooked and ate lunch during the job. Just sayin.

 

[trailmix]

. There is no way that would take 3 hours even if they cooked and ate lunch during the job. Just sayin.

Ya they bent you over big time on that one, you can buy injectors off ebay for less then $60 a piece and it takes me an hour to replace all 6 and thats pulling a supercharger off and everything.

 

[StreetKill831]

Yep, once you sign their estimate on the price they can charge that amount even if it takes' 5 minutes. I took my brother's rear axle shafts in to get bearings and all the other hardware installed (already had the new parts) and got charged 2.5 hrs ($250) of labor for less than an hour job. Now I know for next time, I'm just glad they called me when it was done and didn't make me wait another 1.5 hrs just so they could say it took 2.5 hrs.

 

[chris360hawks]

Yeah all they need to do is pull the throttle body off which is four bolts and pop the fuel rail off. Probably took them 15-20 min to throw a new injector in it. New orings usually come with a new injector in my experience. All the shops I have been to don't charge a diagnostic fee if you are paying to have the repair performed.

 

[roger beck]

I knew the price was high, just don't know why until you ask someone knowledgeable. I don't feel too too bad. I took it in to several shops and described the problem, no one had a clue and wouldn't look in to it unless the could actually observe the problem in person. so by the time you're done wasting several days taking the bus home or biking home from the shop you just want the damn thing fixed. and the guy is always available, no wonder, and close to home, saving me time, he's expensive, but so am I, relatively, so I justify it that way, if you want it done right and done fast, you have to pay a bit more. But the time he wanted to charge me $700 for a $150 after market converter i went out and bought it myself and had him install it. he only charged me $250. ;+)

 

[brian2sun]

The more you lurk around here and places like ttora and yotatech, the more you'll learn and be able to ask about this stuff before you go to the shop. This issue was something we could have given you the steps to diagnose yourself and even replaced the injector yourself. Everyone says how this site makes you want to spend $$ on your 4runner, but it definitely will help you save $$ too on repairs. Glad you got it fixed, that's the main thing.