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, Wed, 15 Mar 2006 11:03:43
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Chilton's and Mitchell produce flat rate books. They are available online. Try using our saabnet portal to amazon.com so the sight generates some income for the referral.
"Book time" is how long it should take a mechanic to do a particular job. It can help the consumer because the times quoted assume some experience on the mechanic's part and the use of as many shop air tools as necessary. It also assumes the mechanic is working on a fairly clean engine and does nothing else while the car is apart. You don't have to pay extra for an ill-equipped slow-poke.
Conversely, a well-equipped mechanic doing a certain job for the 50th time can beat the book. Sometimes by half. Shop owners like that. You still pay the flat rate for labor, however. So the book giveth, the book taketh away.
Some mechanics misuse the book by double charging for labor. For example, let's say your 900 needs a new water pump and the book time is three hours (all times are just examples). The book also lists removal and replacement of the fan belt as 3/4 hour. An unscrupulous mechanic would charge for both, even though removal and replacement of the fan belt is included in the three-hour water pump job.
Of course, the conscientious SAAB mechanic or owner may take time to clean the pump mounting flange thoroughly, clean and inspect the pulley for cracks, replace the fan belt, replace the heater hoses, inspect and/or replace the lower radiator hose, flush the engine before removing the pump, and possibly even cleaning the motor before working on it to make the job more pleasant. None of that is covered in a flat-rate book.
JD
posted by 24.205.44...
Saab 900, 1979-85 (Chilton's Repair & Tune-Up Guides)
, Wed, 15 Mar 2006 14:08:58
, Wed, 15 Mar 2006 08:35:23, Wed, 15 Mar 2006 20:10:35, Wed, 15 Mar 2006 11:03:43
, Wed, 15 Mar 2006 21:19:27
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