What would a shop charge for a valve adjustment...ballpark?

450knotOffice · 450knotOffice's Garage

I think I may be in need of one and after reading some strings about how much of a b**ch it appears to be, I think I may want to just have it done by my shop.

Not that I haven't done it myself on cars that have engine compartments big enough to crawl into. It just looks like the available space is so small that I may get so pissed off I may break something out of sheer frustration.

What do shops tend to charge?

-Scott

carrue529 · 02-03-2005, 12:28 AM

about $180.0+parts, but I'm sure this can vary +/-

You may want to DIY and if you still get frustrated then take it in.

jmohn · jmohn's Garage

I'm sure it varies drastically around the U.S., but I was quoted $450 last summer (here in Minnesota). Of course, I did it myself. It's really not a "b**ch", just tedious. If you've ever done this type of thing before just give the job an afternoon to do it, take your time, re-check your work and you'll be fine.

Jerry M
'78 SC

jet911 · 02-03-2005, 05:21 AM

Here in SLC, the P-car Dealer quoted me $250, an independent P-car specialist quoted me $345. I will do the job myself. It should only take about 3 hrs max for your first time (according to 101 Projects). From what I hear, after the first time, it keeps getting easier and quicker...

JBO · 02-03-2005, 05:27 AM

Approx. $400

hkspwrsche · 02-03-2005, 05:32 AM

You can get a good look (lots of room) at the pass. side exhaust valves (lower) and then you'll know what youre doing for the rest that you can't see as well..

kevjandon · 02-03-2005, 12:27 PM

Locally, I have had two quotes. One for $246 and one for $265. This includes the Gaskets for valve covers and sump, new nuts and washers and the required oil change.

To do it yourself would cost around $55 for the parts (gaskets, oil, oil filter, nuts, bolts, etc..) required and an additional $10 for the feeler gauge if you don't have one.

I have two little kid who demand my time and I can't devote a solid 3 hours to this task unless I did it in the middle of the night.

It's worth spending the additional $200 bucks to me as it includes an oil change too.

As for caps, rotors, spark plugs, air/fuel filters, oil changes, O2 sensor, and other misc. easy 1 man items, I do those myself with very little frustration.

mtelliott · 02-03-2005, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by hkspwrsche
You can get a good look (lots of room) at the pass. side exhaust valves (lower) and then you'll know what youre doing for the rest that you can't see as well..

This is excellent advise. Start with the easiest. I don't think it's that bad a job but I was able to do the first one with the engine outside the car. I was able to understand how to do it then for the next time with the engine in the car.

Michael

Jeff Alton · 02-03-2005, 01:06 PM

Hmmm, I do it for 90 in labour plus parts. But I only work on cars as a hobby.

Jeff

toolman · toolman's Garage

I was quoted from $450 to 600. I got the special feeler gauge and did it my self. Not very hard at all, especially if you know what the drag on the gauge should feel like. I have a fabspeed pre-muff and plenty of room on the left side. Get the replacement ends too.

dfw911 · 02-03-2005, 01:24 PM

My shop charges $300 plus parts. It isn't hard to do yourself, it just takes time. It comes down to how scarce your time is and whether or not you like working on the car. In my case, I was scared to do it at first, but I actually kind of enjoy doing it now. Gives you a sense of personal ownersip in your car's performance.

carrue529 · 02-03-2005, 02:08 PM

I just had my valves done at Hergesheimer Motorsports(Lake Forest), a lil' over 200.00. I have done my valves before but due to lack of time I just sent it in, had the car back within 24hrs.

Great mechanics, and good service: http://www.hergesheimer.com/

edward993 · 02-03-2005, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by SoCal911SC
Your point being?

Signed,

Your Midnight Porsche Worker

(Much work done between the hours of 10 pm. and 2 a.m. after family has gone to sleep!)

LOL!!! And I thought I was the only one...

Scott,
Hergeheimers is in your hood, kind of. Mark and Laura are great folks to work with. Worth every penny for the drive to get there.

Edward

williecoyote · 02-03-2005, 04:56 PM

My mechanic charged me 2.5 hrs @ $60.00 for a whopping total of $150.00.

creaturecat · 02-03-2005, 05:29 PM

150 cdn. dollarettes here - 450 US seems like highway robbery

450knotOffice · 450knotOffice's Garage

Guys,

Thanks a bunch for the help. Sorry for the late reply. My wife and I went skiing today

Hergesheimers just so happens to be my shop too. I live only about two miles away. I know all of those people down there. They're great people. So they only charged a bit over $200? That's less than I would've expected.

As for doing it myself, how's the access for getting my hands in there. I've got a pretty crowded compartment in that Carrera - AC on the right side, blower motor on the left side, air cleaner,etc. A buddy's '74 looks like the engine compartment is empty compared to mine.

-Scott

dgcate · dgcate's Garage

Once again, looks like I'm the odd man out. If you don't know a mechanic that will work with you (they all say they will), and who you know very well, you'll be in for a good dose of sticker shock. Let's face it, there are few cars on the road that costs more to drive than these cars do, if you have them worked on by other mechanics.

My advice...go it alone, it being your car, you'll do a much better job (with a manual), than most mechanics anyway. If you get overloaded (which you won't), take it to a mechanic.

Good luck,
Dave Cate
Knoxville, TN
'89 911

zotman72 · 02-04-2005, 10:18 AM

A couple years ago I showed a totally inept friend how to do his valves on '74 911 and installed a Petronix. A year later, he took his garage queen (less than 500 miles a year) to a local Porsche garage for an oil change AND to have the valves and timing "done RIGHT!" Geez, he paid $350 for that job. Needless to say, I do not help this individual anymore.

On the otherhand, around that same time, I show Dave at DartAuto how to adjust his 911T valves. Now he has a great Porsche recycling business and successful racing program. IMHO
every 911 owner should do the job once, what happens after that depends. Waterpumpers excluded of course.
YMMV.

mtelliott · 02-04-2005, 10:54 AM

Bill, so you are responsible for the birth of my favorite recyler. Thank you. I've learned a lot from Dave so I guess I have you to thank.

Michael

mike f · 02-04-2005, 11:24 AM

I don't recall exactly what I paid, but it was certainly >$400 when bundled in with the 30,000 mi service. Then again it's a turbo and I was told it takes a lot longer to do since a bunch of components need to be removed just to get at the valves. Anyone adjust their own valves on a 930? How tough is it really? I would prefer to do it myself and put the $$$ elsewhere.