Originally Posted By: JC1
Shes got 2 quotes- Indy mechanics. $2200 and $1800. I FELL out of the chair when I read that. What should this job cost her?
Is the Brake pedal going to the floor when she uses the brakes or is she losing fluid? I would also question if there is a smell of gas. Maybe they are coroded, but not eaten through. Sounds like shops trying to take advantage of a lady.
[/quote]
This is kind of a sketchy way to check. If a brake line is almost rusted through it will hold fluid until you stomp on the pedal and then the pressure will blow out. NOT FUN. I've had this happen a couple times, blessedly in a parking lot every time.
If you think the dual independent hydraulics will save you, take note the pedal will sink to about half an inch from the carpet.
The job probably SHOULD get done. At least brakes. Fuel lines, you can wait until they start spraying. You'll smell it. Fuel pressure doesn't suddenly spike at the worst possible moment blowing out the lines. And the fire danger is modest.
As for fuel lines, there are nifty kits now to refit nylon line and splice it all together with either barbed fittings where you heat the nylon in boiling water to soften it, or use a compression fitting connected to your old, cut off steel line.
For a thousand bucks they might be thinking of dropping the tank and doing all new from the sending unit. Pricey! Usually there's enough good line coming off the tank that you can cut it then splice in your new line that runs along the rocker panel/ frame up into the engine compartment.
I've had to do new fuel line a few times now on vehicles 10-18 years old here in the rust belt. The parts are EXPENSIVE. 5/16 nylon fuel line is about a buck a foot. A universal "goes-into" metal fuel line nipple, that I spliced one end onto the nylon line, and the other end clicks into the fuel filter, is $15. The job is full of this sort of "goctha". But still for $100 in parts and an afternoon in labor (4 hours) I was back on the road with all new front brake lines and mostly new underneath fuel lines.
This is a job a redneck independent should do. Look for a shop that has a bunch of junky cars lined up outside.