Valve adjustment

[Face]

Hey guys,

I got a quote from the local wrench for a $125 valve adjustment on my 89 Carrera. (1st one since I've owned her). Does this sound reasonable? Also, I've heard to order the green silicone gaskets from Pelican - any words on those or another better kind?? I'm assuming you order a packet which contains everything for an adjustment.

Thanks for the new guy help,

[john walker's workshop]

$125 sounds cheap. most guys charge about 2 hours labor @ $80hr, or thereabouts, plus parts, of course. is he a porsche tech? if so he will have his own gaskets. if not, go somewhere that's familiar with the job. you could even try it yourself. lots of info in the archives. the green lowers are not my favorite. there's no thickness to take up minor irregularities in the covers. the cheap gray ones work fine.

[makaio]

Ditto!

[MarkY]

$125 for a valve adjustment is cheap enough where I'd wonder about the guy doing the work. Is this a favor, or a friend?

Sounds low for a Porsche wrench.

[Face]

This guy also did an oil change for me when I first got the car for $30 (I brought the Mobil 1). He's an older gentleman, works on most foreign cars, and was referred to me by a buddy who had all of his 944 work done there. The previous price was just for labor, as I'll bring my own parts in.
I'm in a small NC town too, so that may account for something!
Cheers,

[fred hannah]

face, where at in nc? im in greensboro.

[Decolliber]

You should do it yourself. Its not technically difficult, requires only simple tools, and is a great confidence builder. Bentley has instructions, as does an article in the Pelican tech section. I did a VW type 1 first for practice and then did my 88 Carrera. Took about 5 hours, as I checked and rechecked everything several times. Once you have done it yourself you will wonder why you ever contemplated taking it to a "real" mechanic. No paid mechnaic is going to put into your car the car and attention that you will lavish on it.
And don't forget to put in new oil before starting it up ...

[targa88]

Sounds real cheap. Up here, in the Great White North the price varies between $250-400CAD. Which basically convinced me to do it myself.
I agree with Decolliber, Great confidence builder. Gets easier everytime you do it. All a question of feel.

[JDaniel]

$125 is dirt cheap!
I'd say have him do the valves, but stay and watch. Make sure he lets you feel what "loose"valves feel like, and properly adjusted valves feel like (using the feeler guage). Take some notes, then read the pelican articles. Next time do it yourself.

Go with the cheaper gaskets (grey) the Pelican sells. Everything is included and they work just fine.

[speeder]

I agree with the other guys who say DIY if mechanically inclined. It's a little PITA the first time, but really bonds you w/ car. Do you have Bentley manual or Wayne's book? Most important things are that car is COLD, (sat overnite or equiv.), and valves are set precisely and absolutely even on all 12. You need special 911 adjust tool, ($8.00), .004 should be nice snug fit on all. Have a pan to catch oil, (about a quart), that will come out when you remove lower VC. Good luck!

[Face]

Sounds like a plan. I do have Wayne's book, but I think I'll go with the advice of watching/testing this one out if this guy will let me. If he won't... looks like I'll try my first adjustment!
I'm in Goldsboro, Fred.

Have a good one,