I am also a mechanic. And i take offense to someone calling me a thief.... Auto Zone is steeling your money by selling you parts you don't need. and you robbing yourself by taking the parts back, because it makes the parts more expensive.
Your problem could be very complex or something as easy as cleaning out a clogged dpfe tube. These problems tend to compound themselves when they are ignored. I simply suggested that you take it to someone who has dealt with the problem.
I personally have 35-40 thousand dollars in hand tools. This does not include the 7-12 thousand dollar scanner, or the 350.00 a month all data, that is used to aid in this diagnosis. Pay a good tech 30 dollars an hr, pay rent on a building, shop insurance that cost 10 thousand a year. And the 65.00 an hr is cheap. My rates are not that low...
You forum guys depend on people like myself and Nitrostangracing to help you through these things. But without people willing to give their hard earned experience, these forums are just a place for ignorance and miss-information.
I am not knocking anyone, i am here to help and be helped. But think before you start knocking repair shops.
A dpfe sensor is about 70.00, an egr valve is 75.00. You could replace both of those and still have the same problem.
The egr port in the intake could be clogged, the egr vale could be clogged, the diaphram in the egr could be bad, the egr tube could be clogged, the dpfe hoses could be collapsing on the inside, the dpfe tubes could be clogged the drivers side catalytic converter pre, or primary could be clogged, could be a loose vacuum hose, could be a collapsed vacuum hose, could be the egr control solenoid. etc. etc. etc.
You could spend 2 or 3 hundred dollars and still have to have a professional fix it. Thats why I suggested it...
I am all for DIY but some things are better left for the people who do it every day.
I am here to answer any questions i can...
Thanks, Tom
