Valve adjustment - labor charges HELP!!

[Bazza90036]

Complete newbie here in Los Angeles.

We've been getting a worrying intermittent clicking/clattering noise (quite loud) coming from the engine. 1991 911 140k

Took it to our local Porsche repair shop. They said it was very low in oil but after topping up this has not stopped the "clicking".

They said they need to look at the valves and quoted us 14 hours of labor at $90 an hour!!! That $1300 without any parts

Is this correct? Is it really that big of job? Are we being totally ripped off?

From other posts on these boards it seems like a valve adjustment can be done in 4-5 hours.

Any advice much appreciated.....

[juanbenae]

if you are paying more that 350 for a valve adjustment thats a problem. that should include gaskets, and supplying your own oil.

[Zef]

Bazza...why don't you try to do that adjustement yourself...It is very well explicated in the technical section of Pelican...and will be rewarding for you as well...

[john walker's workshop]

this is a C2, so $350 incl. parts is way too cheap for all the work required to do a valve adjust. maybe the shop that quoted $1300 quoted a full service price, which would be in the ballpark. call TRE in n. hollywood.

[LakeCleElum]

You might not be communicating well with the shop. If you ran low on oil and they want to "look at the valves", it's possible they want to pull the heads and/or check the guides. That's a lot different than a valve adjust. Like JW said, get a 2nd opinion at TRE.

[Zeke]

Don't know your location in LA, but Otto's in Venice is a very capable shop. I'm very well acquainted with TRE in N. Hollywood, and if they're closer, you can definately count on them.

[crashmy911]

I'm sure you could coax some locals over to your house with a few beers and barbrie then get the work done from them or get directions.

[syncroid]

I agree with John Walker. It sounds like they quoted for a complete service. (8 hours max) 14 hours is just padding their pockets unnecessarily.

[Bazza90036]

Thanks for all the replies.

I spoke to both Precision Tech and TRE. They were great and both seemed surprised by my orginal quote. TRE said it would be about $1250 for a FULL service (including valve adjustment and plugs) and Alex Wong said that just an adjustment should be 4-6 hours.

I went back to my original mechanic (LA Meister on La Cienega) and he confirmed the quote of 14 hours ($1300) was for the "valve adjustment". When I said that they were quoting 3 or 4 times more for labor than other places they just said "well it's a lot of work".

This isn't the first time that we have been suspicious of high labour charges from this company. in the past they've wanted to charge a half hour labour charge for changing an electric window switch which someone else changed for me in approx 15 seconds.

Picking up the car tomorrow and driving it down to Alex Wong : )

[Blanco]

Originally posted by Bazza90036

I went back to my original mechanic (LA Meister on La Cienega) and he confirmed the quote of 14 hours ($1300) was for the "valve adjustment". When I said that they were quoting 3 or 4 times more for labor than other places they just said "well it's a lot of work".

This can't be the same MM that we hear about, is it?

Good luck and excellent choice now.

[bell]

welcome to the board......it is customary to post a pic

you'll find the search button up top is your best friend

[cab83_750]

Originally posted by Bazza90036


Picking up the car tomorrow and driving it down to Alex Wong : )

fyi, I have done great business with Alex. I am planning on having him align and corner balance my 911 next.

[Zeke]

Originally posted by Blanco


This can't be the same MM that we hear about, is it?

Good luck and excellent choice now.

Not the same. MM is in Downey, CA. La Cienaga is in LA's westside and runs up into Hollyweird.

[JohnKo]

I'm not really sure, and for me this is hearsay, but doesn't valve adjustment on a C2 require some messing about with engine mounting, lowering, etc., for access. That does sound like a lot of work!

[Bazza90036]

Well the moral of this tale seems to be to shop around, get second opinions and to go see an expert.

After the original quote of 14 hours of labor just to "look at the valves" we took it to Alex at Precision Tech.

In one afternoon he diagnosed the problem as a blocked oil squirter and fixed the knocking noise. C2 sounds great and the
total charge was $356 a saving of at least $1000.

going back to see Alex again for a full 130K service.

Thanks to all for your advice and input.

[pmajka]

twin plug, $500, valve adjustment couple of seals. and Oil.

Eastern Pa