Thermostat rip off.
 

I had the temp gauge flatline problem that also killed the AC compressor and the remote. I think it was a P0128 code. I ordered the temp sender and managed to get it swapped out. It didn't solve the problem, so the next item would be the thermostat. Because of having not so flexible and somewhat painful joints I decided to let the dealer do the job. So replacing an AC Delco unit ended up costing me $191. $63 for the thermostat which goes for $14 on Rock Auto and $113 in labor plus shop supplies, taxes, etc.

Ouch, that hurts. To take a tiny bit of the sting away, the ACDelco thermostat is $30 on rockauto.

ACDELCO 131158 Thermostat | RockAuto

Pretty expensive for 2 bolts, maybe they exchanged the DexCool too? You would not want the $14 unit, it would fail quickly.

The t-stat is the first suspect in a P0128.

I found the post in here after I had replaced the sending unit. The one that explained why GM turns off your AC and your remote so you won't ignore an engine that is running cooler than normal. Apparently a cold engine has higher emissions than a warm one.

With a 10 mm socket and an extension with a 3/8 ratchet wrench, it's a five minute job.
Sorry you, couldn't have stopped by here , I'd have changed it for you. That stat is not the $14.00 one.

I've made a naughty habit of calling my local dealer and getting a quote on a job right after I complete it; they wanted over 1000 to replace the two LCA's, and wanted over 500 for replacing the radiator fan, which I did in under 30 minutes. 250 for the fan (which I got for 50) and 250 for labor. Kind of ridiculous. Cant remember what they said for struts, but im sure it was way higher that the 250 I spent in parts. I hope they properly burped and filled the coolant system when they replaced that T-Stat. Go back and look at your receptor the part number for the T Stat, I doubt its the correct 180 degree AC DELCO unit for only 14 bucks. Im sorry you are not in the best physical condition to complete the job, and I think sometimes shops and dealers taker advantage of that. They should have at least given you a discount or something.

" ... calling my local dealer and getting a quote on a job right after I complete it ..."

Makes you feel better about the effort you expended doing it yourself, though?

In a sense it gives me an idea of just how much money has been saved vs what they would do, thats all. Since I am young and able, why not!

They are called Stealers for a reason, guys!

Whats the rip off? That's less than an hour in our area and likely not so different from independents. All tickets we have are required to look the car over and submit an insp report - great for non car people btw but takes time.

Wasting our time getting quotes you don't need or use isn't helping. Additionally, I've taken dozens of SUPPORT calls from DIY folks over the last few weeks - yeah, attempting free support on something they got in over their head on. If only every job was only ten minutes or we didn't have to eat TONS of labor OR if our work didn't carry a warranty.

True though, we can't compete with the buddy system price. There are reasons for this.

/rant.

The flat rate is 1.2 hours, the MSRP for the t-stat is $60 plus the towels, disposal and taxes.

Curiously, the flat rate to replace the temp sensor is .6 hours.

There is a chance of spilling 2 oz. of coolant on the ground. EPA gets involved.

I have no idea what they would be doing to it for the extra 55 minutes.

Service Advisors in my area have lots of time to look at flat rate tables. It just took me 1 minute, and I had to wait for Mitchell to load.

The last place I would ask for advice would be one of the advisors at my local Chevy dealer. They didn't know why a PTCruiser was pulling into the bay.

I won't even get to the idiots they have with Tech2 "training". One couldn't find the RCDLR one couldn't find the SDM, either physically or on the CAN bus.

/rant.

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I LOVE the preponderance of the phrase "if necessary." If necessary? I imagine it is! LOL!

It is part of a larger replacement of the t-stat housing and transfer pipe. I just copied the relevant part.

Dont mean to go off course here, just had to share one experience from last summer. Door lock actuator with cable in my 2009 Silverado. Closest dealer $235 not in stock, have it Monday. A different dealer, a few miles farther to drive in the other direction, in stock $185-- same exact GM part. Closest dealer is where I bought the truck from. About 9 miles from my house. Other dealer 15 miles away. Bought a new truck last fall, 2017 Silverado, guess what dealer I used? This price difference is shocking. So a thermostat from dealer "a" would have been $98 in our area. lol

My local Chevy dealer charges shipping on ordered parts. A bolt can end up costing $30.

I usually go to the local Buick dealer for Chevy parts, mainly because the parts guy at the Chevy place is a horse's A**.

I had a similar issue when I was trying to source a "coolant filler neck" locally. Chevy dealer near me wanted something like 40 dollars for the thing. Buick dealer would order one and charge 23 bucks, and I ended up having to go to Tampa to get one from a Chevy dealer which sold it for 23. Buick dealer was nice enough to use there parts locator system to tell me that the Tampa dealer had one in stock. Chevy dealer denied any such system existed......

And then I have gotten 15% discounts by whining a little bit. The eBay stores are usually actual dealerships. My local one sells parts on eBay for half what they sell in the store, with free shipping. Sell it to me at that price in the flesh? NO.

Moved to the lounge. This never belonged in the war stories forum anyway.