I was just quoted $230 +tax for a compression test
I searched, Everyone says its only $100-$150.
Is this dealership trying to rip me off? Have prices gone up?
It's the only one near, the next closest one (that at least use to be good) is in Houma (about 60-70 miles away). I called them but their Mazda tech is not in.
My car is not having any real problems starting, it has a small hot start issue here and there. But they are so far and few it's hard to notice what the conditions are when it happens (How long the car has sat/temp/ect..) It has never had a problem starting after fueling up since I changed the oil (twice), coils/wires/plugs, and air filter, although every time I fuel up the engine seems to idle hunt for the first mile or so (rpms rise and fall between 1.5k and 800 randomly, but never stalls or acts like its going to, it acts like my FC's would warming up).
The car gets ok gas mileage (anywhere from 12mpg to 15mpg) considering its 90% city stop and go traffic.
According to Mazda of North America, the car's is still eligible for the engine core warranty, it will run out 9/24/11, I won't hit the mileage limit. Also, according to them its the 3rd engine (replaced @ 19k, and 47kmiles) Currently at 91k on the dash, so this engine is at 44k miles.
I just wanted the piece of mind about it, before I begin to mod it. But $230.... sheesh

-Shawn

 

go back and explain that you've seen it offered for 100 to 150 and is there a reason they're charging 230. Maybe they're doing more then just a compression check for that price?

 

Na, it's for just the compression test.
He stated thats what they charge for one.
I just talk to the guys in Houma (they called me back! Looks like they still do great service for their customers.), and wow, $140, I go in Wed. morning @ 8:30.
Looks like the Bad dealership thread is still right about Paretti Mazda....
Never been so happy and nervous at the same time! lol

-Shawn

 

230?

when my compression tester comes, I do it for 30 bux.

and I mean it

 

Hell yeah! They tried to pull the same **** on me! A comp test is $93 nothing more

 

sounds like they're ripping you off, but like you said...they've got you by the *****. definitely try to fight it by calling another dealership and getting a price quote to show them, but i think each dealership has wiggle room w/ pricing, so unless you're willing to drive over 120 miles (round trip), it's probably easier to just pay them and get it over with.

 

absurd.
Tell them that you're having to drive 70 miles to save yourself $90, and you'll do it for ALL your future car services. I'd stick it to them like an ex girlfriend on a bitter break-up!

 

I will gladly take the drive, still going to save about 70 bucks after fueling and get better service. Looks like a win/win to me.

-Shawn

 

So I'm here waiting at the dealer, the tech said they were going to try "something else" first and then decide if it need a compression test. He also said if they do one it's free if it fails. Im sitting out side smoking like a dad waiting for his first born. And i can hear aresol cans followed by my car reving and back firing a lot. So.... -crosses fingers- lol

 

They're doing zoom zoom cleaning.

yep, fingers cross.

 

Ok, they cleaned the engine and ran diagnose computer, coils 1 and 4 and not firing all the time, they are bad. Doing the compression test right now. Sofar the bill is at $40.00. Sounds too cheap but I'm not complaining. They are still real nice and let me in there a few times now lol. And they said total bill would still be around 140 if it passed compression.
-fingers still crossed-

But on a side note, the coils only have maybe 1000 miles on them. Odd that 2 failed already, I had got the set from raceroots.

-Shawn

 

Well I just got it back, it's running better than ever!
Compression #s in Kgf-cm2
R1 - @ 236rpms - 7.2,7.1,7.1
R2 - @ 228rpms - 7.1,7.0,7.1

He said they looked good, can someone confirm?
Safe to mod?

 

Better than most...... You are good to go........

 

Good cause I want a BHR ignition with a mid pipe.

 

7.1's are average...nothing to write home about, a little weak actually.

Multiply your values by 14.2 to arrive at more familiar psi values.

New engines would be expected to make 125. 115+ is awesome. 105-115 is strong. 95-105 is getting weak and may be in the threshold for flooding/hotstart issues as time goes on. 95 and below is replacement time.

You're right at 100 it looks like.

edit: rpm are a hair low, but not enough to affect the results significantly. At spec of 250rpm you might make 7.3's.

 

With these numbers and a good owner who does maintain the car, would you say I have many miles left to enjoy her?
I use pre-mix, although for the test I had stopped 2 tanks prior.

I think my slow starter speed are because:
1. I have the autozone starter 1.4kw (not 2.0kw)
2. Battery terminals seem to be on their last leg. (I did clean them)

-Shawn

 

hard to say, my guess would be 10-40k.

 

quick question.. my recent compression results were
chamber 1 6.6, 6.5, 6.8 @ 246 rpm
chamber 2 6.3, 6.1, 6.5 @ 248 rpm

is this bad?
i didnt get tthe multiply by 14 part?

 

6.6 * 14 = 92.4 so you failed and should have been put in for a new engine.

6.8*14=95.2 which is still cutting it to close. You need to go back and ask what the deal is.

 

thanks, ill make sure to do that.. the only reason i didnt ask is because after the compression test was done they had closed the dealership for the day, everyone except for this lady who had 0 idea about cars (idk why she works at a dealership).. ill make sure i call mazda and ricart tomorrow and get this problem resolved

 

since it failed does this mean i get my money back lol

 

yes, a failed engine compression test is supposed to be free.

 

Just odd, cause the rotary tech said they were really good numbers, maybe I copied the wrong info down r something? There compression test machine thingy wouldn't print, but I know they did the work, I watched with my own eyes, and heard with my own ears. He seemed extremely knowledgeable about the engine too.

I do trust the honest opinions on here but, I don't see why he would lie to me, he did make sure to tell me right when I got there if it failed Everything would fine and they would take care of the engine. The Previous owners did take the car to the dealer a lot (Most records are from Alabama/Mississippi), they showed me all the maintenance records they had in the data base for it. And I had receipts for every single thing I did, including the old ignition set in the trunk.

The car is running better, I guess there really is something to that "zoom-zoom cleaner" cause I had sea-foamed the engine maybe a week ago (followed DIY on here) and the car is idling a lot smoother then before. The biggest notice though is engine braking. I haven't had a hot start issue since, and I really put some miles on her last night bar hoping with friends (I was the DD ). And it cranked up right away every time.

I think I'll give them a call today just to make sure I copied down those numbers right. And if I did, I guess it is what it is

I just really DON"T want to start modding the car If the engine is on its way out. It would be pretty pointless. right?

 

I have had two compression test done since I bought the car. The first one I paid $150 for. The second one was free because the compression test results were found to be low and I got a new engine under warranty. Op go to another dealer if you have that option.

 

I would really love to be able to do a compression test on my own... But I don't know how I would get the starter rpm reading....

There is a dealership in Baton Rouge but its 80miles away