Brought 2017 Lincoln MKZ to dealership for a diagnosis. Problem was check engine light coming on and rough idling tpemporarily after filling up gas tank when close to empty. Also had poor gas mileage. Under the normal $135 diagnostics fee there was also a $314 charge for parts labeled Tube Assembly – Fuel Vapour Separator. Is this normal? This is the first time I've ever had a charge for parts with diagnostics. Typically a diagnostic fee is paid, they tell you what's wrong and how much parts and labor will cost then you get the repair. The only thing they said was wrong was the purge valve needed to be replaced.
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Hello, Dave here, contributing to RepairPal and providing expert advice since 2010.
You are correct to ask questions. In some areas, there are laws requiring authorization of any increases in charges from the original estimate, including the express authorization to replace parts. I am not sure what the laws in North Carolina are, but at the very least, it's not terribly ethical to replace parts and increase an estimate without your authorization and acknowledgment.
I will say "diagnostics" are not very cut and dry; there is an amount of troubleshooting that will require replacement of parts to continue the testing - to verify a part is known to be good. Perhaps this is what happened here -- in which case, you should have been consulted to authorize the step by step process of diagnosis and repairs.
There is also a chance that the part was billed out in error - so be sure to consult the service manager at the dealership to discuss thoroughly.
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