$175 for valve cover gasket. - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

JCSC2 · #1 07-31-2006, 10:08 PM

Does this sound like a fair price. I know a lot of peeps will say to do this myself but honestly. This Mercedes means a lot to me and it kinda scares me to touch the motor . Always rode in the back seat never maintained it. Everything I kinda know how to do is on a gasoline car. Found this cool guy who has a shop that works on Benz, BMW and Rolls Royce RIGHT across from my neighborhood. So I am trying to establish a relationship with him. Also I am trying to get his battery business(I sell batteries) hopping to get a discount. I may be purchasing 4 used 86-91 S class wheels for $50 a piece tomorrow.

Hatterasguy · #2 07-31-2006, 10:11 PM

What car is it?

Brian Carlton · #3 07-31-2006, 10:18 PM

It's a 617 in an '85 SD.

He can change that gasket in 30 minutes..........if he's quick.........and.........even if he charges you one hour labor...........the gasket is about $25.00 or so............it's definitely too expensive.

BTW, if he's taking the valve cover off........why aren't the valves checked for lash at the same time? Now the price of $175 is more realistic.

Panzermann · #4 07-31-2006, 10:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JCSC2

Does this sound like a fair price. I know a lot of peeps will say to do this myself but honestly. This Mercedes means a lot to me and it kinda scares me to touch the motor . Always rode in the back seat never maintained it. Everything I kinda know how to do is on a gasoline car. Found this cool guy who has a shop that works on Benz, BMW and Rolls Royce RIGHT across from my neighborhood. So I am trying to establish a relationship with him. Also I am trying to get his battery business(I sell batteries) hopping to get a discount. I may be purchasing 4 used 86-91 S class wheels for $50 a piece tomorrow.

If it's the 126 you have pictured, then $175 for a valve cover gasket sounds like highway robbery. *************** lists 'em for $4.56 each for a '91 420SEL. Are you sure it's a valve cover gasket? Does it include some form of labor for something or other?

Hatterasguy · #5 07-31-2006, 10:19 PM

Tell him to throw in a valve adjustment and charge you $125.

JCSC2 · #6 07-31-2006, 10:41 PM

Well yeah that is installed, I honestly thought it wasn't that bad. To me, probably not to some of you. It looks intimidating. It is the valve cover and he would check the valves. The guy doesn't seem like a schumk, he has a few SD's in the back and spoke with a lot of knowledge about them. Suppose I will check around. I live in Northern Virginia, stuff ain't cheap. Labor rate is $89 an hour.

TheDon · #7 07-31-2006, 10:47 PM

removing the valve cover isnt that hard.. just take pics of the linkages, pop them off, unbolt the cover and its like buddah

Cephallus · #8 07-31-2006, 11:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JCSC2

Well yeah that is installed, I honestly thought it wasn't that bad. To me, probably not to some of you. It looks intimidating. It is the valve cover and he would check the valves. The guy doesn't seem like a schumk, he has a few SD's in the back and spoke with a lot of knowledge about them. Suppose I will check around. I live in Northern Virginia, stuff ain't cheap. Labor rate is $89 an hour.

But, as mentioned, it's a 30 minute job. Not a two hour job. What does 'checking' the valves mean? That he tells you they need to be adjusted and charges you another $150?

Don't listen to my advice, though...the last guy I gave advice to about repair costs actually quoted me and asked the mechanic if the price included a reach-around...the mechanic told him to 'f-off and find some shade-tree hillbilly to fix it.'

tangofox007 · #9 07-31-2006, 11:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cephallus

But, as mentioned, it's a 30 minute job. Not a two hour job. What does 'checking' the valves mean? That he tells you they need to be adjusted and charges you another $150?

If a gasket replacement is $175, a valve adjustment would probably cost $750!!!

Schmohey · #10 07-31-2006, 11:12 PM

How much did they charge you for the part alone?

Brian Carlton · #11 07-31-2006, 11:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cephallus

Don't listen to my advice, though...the last guy I gave advice to about repair costs actually quoted me and asked the mechanic if the price included a reach-around...the mechanic told him to 'f-off and find some shade-tree hillbilly to fix it.'

Ain't that the truth. There is no negotiating with them.........too independent..........that's the price.........or take a hike.

I do have a local indy that is not knowledgeable on the M/B, but is an honest mechanic. He did the a/c on the W123 when it went south. I think the labor was about $400 or so, and he knew that it would probably take him more than 4 hours to do the job properly (change the compressor.......flush the system......change the dryer........hoses.........pull a vacuum........and fill it.

He actually felt that charging more than $400 would not have been fair.

Chris Bell · #12 07-31-2006, 11:14 PM

Heck, I'd do it for $500 and throw in the gasket for free

Brian Carlton · #13 07-31-2006, 11:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Bell

Heck, I'd do it for $500 and throw in the gasket for free

Heck, I'd do it for $200 and throw in the gasket for free..........

JCSC2 · #14 08-01-2006, 12:16 AM

I know a lot of you are DIY'rs but I am not confident in my abilities on this car yet. Oil is cheap and it is not dumping quarts everywhere. For now I am just going to change my hoses and clean the oil off of the motor. Looking forward to some newer wheels and new tires. Will post pics of them soon.

mikemover · #15 08-01-2006, 12:50 AM

That's an outrageous price for such an easy thing to do.

Where are you located? I'll do it in 15 minutes, for 1/2 that price!

Mike