2001 I30 Repair Costs Questions

[alinski]

Hello. The "Service Engine Soon" light came on my 2001 I30 last week and I dropped it off earlier today at the Infiniti dealer to check and also perform an oil change. Just got a call back and there are two separate issues:

Problem 1: Catalytic converter (bank 2) needs to be replaced. Approximate labor + parts cost is $1000.

Problem 2: Power steering hose (on the side of the engine per the service consultant) is leaking and needs to be replaced. Approximate labor + parts cost is $360.

Problem 3: On a previous visit, they detected a leak in the AC hose (located on the bottom of the engine per the service consultant). I have held off having it replaced. Approximate labor + parts cost is $400. The AC has been working fine and it has been between 95-100 degrees here in the last week or so.

I just had the car smogged 3 weeks ago and it passed with no issues. Service consultant said I can hold off on replacing the catalytic converter. I asked her to see if I can save on labor if I have the power steering hose and AC hose replaced at the same time. I have never taken the car other than the dealer for oil changes and repairs. The I30 has around 111,500 miles and has been reliable up to this point.

Question 1: Is the pricing reasonable for the labor + cost? I should probably have other local shops look at it and get other estimates.

Question 2: If you had a choice of which repair to do first, which one would it be and why?

Thanks for you input in advance.Alan.

[alinski]

Just got a call back from the Infiniti dealer. No savings if having problems 2 & 3 done at the same time. Bummer.

Called a couple of local repair places. $20 charge by local dealer to put car up and see if they can repair for less. Charge can be included with repair cost.

Problem 1: New cat converter only from dealer. Local shop can search for a rebuilt/refurb and it will probably be half the price. Does anyone have any experience with rebuilt/refurb cat converters?

Problem 2: Local shop can remove hose and have it repaired or new ends put in for much lower than dealer price.

Problem 3: Local shop said dealer price is reasonable, especially if new headers(?) need to be put in. I have a call into the dealer to see if it is only the hose or also the AC headers.

Thanks,Alan.

[MinisterofDOOM]

I'm fairly sure that the shop you talked to was referring to your first problem (catalytic converter) with reference to dealer cost with new header install, and not to the A/C. Bank 2 Cat is located inside the exhaust manifold (header) so they have to be replaced as a unit. This involves a LOT of labor, especially since bank 2 is buried in back.

I don't personally have much experience with A/C repairs, so I can't really offer any good input on the prices you were quoted. Sorry.