Crazy Way to Cut Your Car Repair Costs in Half that Works

Not in the Service/Repair Manual

Are there uncommon repair procedures that make sense, but you likely will never see them listed in a service/repair manual for your car? As crazy as it may sound, it turns out that sometimes it makes sense to let a mechanic cut a hole in your vehicle to gain access to a problem in order to save money on a repair.

That was the point in a recent Car Wizard YouTube video where the Car Wizard shows how he managed to save his customer about half of the repair cost (approximately $2,500-$3,000) of replacing a fuel pump attached to the fuel tank by cutting a hole in the backseat floor area of a car.

Related article: Toyota Maintenance Mechanic Shows How to Cut Brake Repair Job Costs in Half

Access is a Big Problem with Repairs

In an earlier article we’ve discussed repairs many mechanics will not do. Sometimes it is because they are so labor intensive all due to the fact that the only way to get to the component repair/replacement in question is by dismantling the vehicle to the point of ridiculousness. One example is when it involves removing the entire dash assembly where there is a good chance of adding on more repairs to the job because of the numerous old plastic parts that are prone to breakage during disassembly and reassembly.

However, it’s not just about the work the mechanic has to do, but the costs that are levied against the customer when their repair is done the proper way as outlined in a service/repair manual. So then, does it make sense to bypass most of the disassembly in a repair by cutting an access hole in a vehicle and thereby save a customer a significant amount of money?

Related article: Easy Solution to a Common Toyota Hybrid Engine Problem That is Also a Scam

The Video that Answers the $1,000 (or more) Question

To see if this sounds so crazy or not and whether it really is a bad idea, here is an informative video by the Car Wizard that shows and explains why---not just he, but other mechanics as well---choose to ask a car client’s permission to cut a hole in their vehicle to do a repair.

It is recommended to watch this video in its entirety to hear answers the Car Wizard has for questions about whether this practice is actually harmful to a car.

Customer told me to cut a hole in their 2011 CTS4!" Why would they ask that of the CAR WIZARD?

And finally…

For additional articles about car repairs, here are three that are a bad idea and one that is a good idea but might not be in your service/repair manual instructions:

• Rattle Can Repair Scam Warning for Used Car Shoppers

• Concealed Collision Damage and Car Seller Impersonator Scams

• Used Car Dealer Scam with Superglue and Drywall Screws

• Ford Misfiring Engine Problem? Check This Out First Before Going to Your Mechanic

COMING UP NEXT: Consumer Reports Most Fuel-Efficient Used Compact SUVs Recommended Today

Timothy Boyer is a Torque News automotive reporter based in Cincinnati. Experienced with early car restorations, he regularly restores older vehicles with engine modifications for improved performance. Follow Tim on Twitter at @TimBoyerWrites for daily new and used vehicle news.

Image Source: Pixabay