Parts Catalog Accessories Catalog How To Articles Tech Forums
Call Pelican Parts at 888-280-7799
Shopping Cart Cart | Project List | Order Status | Help



Go Back   PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum > Mercedes-Benz Tech Information and Support > Diesel Discussion

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 11-03-2016, 12:28 PM
Shern's Avatar
Semi-registered User
 
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 1,804
Mechanic Rec in Los Angeles?

It's about time for my first valve adjustment.

In the future, I'll do them myself. For now though, I'd like more a more experienced set of eyes on my engine -hasn't really had a once over since I bought it and would like to make sure I'm not missing anything egregious.

For you Angelinos, I'm in Venice. Any good recs?
And what might I expect to be paying?

Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 11-03-2016, 12:32 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Alhambra California
Posts: 3,129
Silver Star Services in Monterey Park on Garvey Avenue.

Last edited by BWhitmore; 11-04-2016 at 10:28 AM.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 11-03-2016, 02:12 PM
Shern's Avatar
Semi-registered User
 
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 1,804
Thanks!

Any idea what I should expect to pay?
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 11-03-2016, 02:24 PM
engatwork's Avatar
busy
 
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Soperton, Ga. USA
Posts: 13,635
~$150
__________________
Jim
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 11-03-2016, 02:43 PM
Shern's Avatar
Semi-registered User
 
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 1,804
Much appreciated. While the cover is off, figured I'd have them check the timing chain/ provide me with a good bill of health so I can relax on longer journeys.

Certainly would rather spend that money on tools... but hey.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 11-04-2016, 01:04 AM
ROLLGUY's Avatar
ROLLGUY
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,229
Quote:
Originally Posted by engatwork View Post
~$150
Are you serious? $150 for a valve adjustment? I need to raise my price then. I must be nuts to only charge $50 (gasket included)......Rich
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 11-04-2016, 01:30 AM
vwnate1's Avatar
Diesel Dandy
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Sunny So. Cal. !
Posts: 7,717
Post

I cannot set the prices for my two local indie guys (both are M-B Factory trained) but I feel $150 is rediculous .

If you're willing to drive to Pasadena I know who'll give you good and more importantly HONEST service and repairs .
__________________
-Nate
1982 240D 408,XXX miles
Ignorance is the mother of suspicion and fear is the father

I did then what I knew how to do ~ now that I know better I do better
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 11-04-2016, 11:07 AM
Zacharias's Avatar
Not so amused
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: West Quebec
Posts: 4,025
Quote:
Originally Posted by ROLLGUY View Post
Are you serious? $150 for a valve adjustment? I need to raise my price then. I must be nuts to only charge $50 (gasket included)......Rich
Yes, you are a bit off (seriously). At least charge $50 plus the gasket. If you would come to my place I would happily pay you $75. All year long.

I hate doing it. I have a chronic bad back so that doesn't help. And as I don't do a lot of miles on my cars, it's long enough between adjustments that I have to relearn everything.

(Not to overshare, but I am post concussion, some things stick and others don't.... I can do front brakes, wheel bearings, front end work blindfolded but I blank out totally on valve adjustment the second after one is done.)
__________________


Mac
2002 e320 4matic estate│1985 300d│1980 300td
Previous: 1979 & 1982 & 1983 300sd │ 1982 240d

“Let's take a drive into the middle of nowhere with a packet of Marlboro lights and talk about our lives.” ― Joseph Heller, Catch-22
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 11-04-2016, 11:11 AM
Zacharias's Avatar
Not so amused
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: West Quebec
Posts: 4,025
Quote:
Originally Posted by vwnate1 View Post
I cannot set the prices for my two local indie guys (both are M-B Factory trained) but I feel $150 is rediculous .
I am absolutely certain that the big time local indy here would charge $150 labour to do the valve cover GASKET. Or pretty damn close.

If they would agree to work on a w123 now. I have been told by a reliable source they now turn away anything before a w210. (They don't say no, they just offer an appointment three weeks hence.)

Sending you a PM on the Pasadena shop.
__________________


Mac
2002 e320 4matic estate│1985 300d│1980 300td
Previous: 1979 & 1982 & 1983 300sd │ 1982 240d

“Let's take a drive into the middle of nowhere with a packet of Marlboro lights and talk about our lives.” ― Joseph Heller, Catch-22
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 11-04-2016, 01:32 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Out in the Boonies of Hot, Dry, Dusty, Windy Nevada
Posts: 9,649
At a minimum a shop will charge for one hr labor. So what ever the hourly rate is.
Then the hazmat fee, tax, parts etc...

A buddy of mine has a 79 240D, he called about 10 different shops in the SF Bay area, San Jose etc... dealers, and indy shops. It was amazing the
variation of the price they would charge. It was ridiculous.

And as has been mentioned, many shops will not work on these cars. Mention Mercedes and Diesel and their eyes roll back into their head, they go into convulsions,
then look at you like you have two heads.
__________________
there were three HP ratings on the OM616...

1) Not much power
2) Even less power
3) Not nearly enough power!! 240D w/auto

Anyone that thinks a 240D is slow drives too fast.

80 240D Naturally Exasperated, 4-Spd 388k DD 150mph spedo 3:58 Diff

We are advised to NOT judge ALL Muslims by the actions of a few lunatics, but we are encouraged to judge ALL gun owners by the actions of a few lunatics. Funny how that works
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 11-04-2016, 01:43 PM
Shern's Avatar
Semi-registered User
 
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 1,804
Rollguy - if you're in LA, I will happily pay you that.

vwnate1 - would you PM me the contact info of your guy? Happy to drive to Pasadena for good service.
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 11-04-2016, 02:05 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Alhambra California
Posts: 3,129
ROLLGUY is in Hesperia.
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 11-04-2016, 02:23 PM
fashion victim immunizer
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: oakland
Posts: 930
$150 is definitely the going rate for a valve adjustment at a competent shop
__________________
1981 NA 300D 310k miles
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 11-04-2016, 02:33 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Alhambra California
Posts: 3,129
Hourly labor rates vary by region of the country. LA and San Francisco, and New York City are probably the highest at $100-$150 per hour plus parts, disposal fees, sales tax.
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 11-04-2016, 03:57 PM
Banned
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 5,061
Geeeez, we are talking West Coast Los Angeles pricing here, aren't we? This isn't the hills of Tennessee, no sir, in L.A. you have to pay to play. Actually, I'm surprised that they will do it for so little. You are paying for their expertise plus you get to save your back. Sometimes $150 is less than repeated trips to the chiropractor.

Here's a little something I've learned over the years; while the car is in the shop ask the mechanic to take a quick lookover the rest of the car, sometimes they will alert you to other problems/issues which may save you big $$$$$ by getting them repaired sooner than later.

Nothing like a second set of eyeballs.......

Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On




All times are GMT -4. The time now is 06:53 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Search Engine Optimization by vBSEO 3.6.0
Copyright 2018 Pelican Parts, LLC - Posts may be archived for display on the Peach Parts or Pelican Parts Website -    DMCA Registered Agent Contact Page