My roommate wants me to do some work for him. This is the same guy who, a couple of months back, I cleared a code for AND rotated his tires, checked and adjusted his brakes and aired up all his tires while feeding him beers at my friends place/garage.
When I asked for $30 for my work he acted like he thought it was free and how we didn't make a deal then started talking about tough times. Wished I could have uncleared his code.

Anyway, now times aren't so tough for him and he would like me to change all his fluids except coolant and washer fluid. So we're talking Auto trans fluid (and filter?), engine oil/filter, rear diff, brake fluid and pwr steering fluid.
I am thinking $30 plus what I will actually charge him for my work this time around.

Its been a long time since I've done any fluid changes for $$. Whats a good price to charge for this work if he gets all the parts himself and is there a filter that has to come off inside the trans pan?

He drives a '98 4runner 2wd with the small V-6

I could use the money but I'm not going to do it for too cheap. I know the stealer charges a bunch for this work and its pretty easy. I know he won't attempt to do it himself.

 

Small v6? They only had a 2.7 4Cyl, and a 3.4 V6.
Just clarifying buddy.

I say time yourself and charge him $20 an hour plus that 30.

 

Sounds like a good deal for both parties to me.

 

for most things I charge half of what the dealer will charge +parts

some things I charge more for and less for depending on time and the hassle it is going to be I live in the rust belt and some friends cars are big rust buckets.

people ask me how mush for a oil change a lot but I tell them more then a quick lube.

I hate changing oil on most cars and 20$ bucks is not worth it to me.

 

If your roomate is shady about payment for services, you might want to put it in writing. I've watched enough "Judge Judy" and "People's Court" to see this scenario turn sour on numerous occasions.

 

and all the beer you can consume!
paybacks a bitch

 

Make him buy the fluids and show HIM how to do it. If he says he'd rather just pay for it, charge him full price or tell him to take it somewhere else.

Not worth your/my time to do it for cheap/nothing for someone not willing to learn/help, friend or otherwise.

I'd rather help a friend and then in turn they help me another day than charge them for it. Do it all the time.

Since you called him "roommate" I don't think he's your "friend".

 

No, he's not a friend. Just another dude that makes this house affordable. He won't work on it and we don't want his type working on it either. Trust me. And I do want to make a few bucks in a couple of hours.


Excellent point. I forgot about that. He had no problem sucking back a few "free" beers while I worked on it the first time.

Very good idea. We aren't leaving anything out of our "deal" this time.

Me too. I wouldn't be considering this work if it was only an oil change. Not worth my time.

Okay. He said he "has a V-6, the small one"

Scuba, do you even blink? 'Cause you don't miss a thing.

 

Oh yeah and what about the tranny. There is a filter in there too right? Does it just plug into a pick up pipe or are tools needed the replace it?

I have never worked on an auto tranny Toyota.

 

No buddy I dont blink, Hell I dont even sleep

 

So can someone tell me if there is a filter inside of his '98 2wd 4runner? I am just trying to get an idea of what to charge him still.

I guess I'll look up capacities too so I can go ahead and get some fluids.

 

Theres a filter, its basically a screen. Most people just clean it out manually. You can buy a new one if you want. Its held on by a few bolts.

Get FIPK (RTV sillicone type stuff) from the dealer to reseal the trans pan, no gasket required.

 

Alright. Thanks. I'll just clean it if its a metal screen.

Is there any dealership site that will let you plug in the work you want done and get a quote without dealing with a salesperson?

If so I could easily show my roommate how much I'm saving him by doing it for him.

 

no but you can call a dealer and theyll tell you how much its gonna cost just for labor..

 

Just call up the service department and ask how much to do what you want done. They will give you an estimate. Estimate because they dont know what else they will find.

 

Okay thanks. I knew I could call them but I just wanted an easy way to show dude.
I'll get of my rear and do it.












Monday