Just don't have the time...

adamred · adamred's Garage

Try not to flame me too badly but I'm just so short on time and space these days and curious what it should cost for a mechanic to do oil return tubes instead of a DIY....

My buddy with a much bigger garage has offered to help so if I go this route how much of a time investment?

Adam

k9handler · 01-03-2003, 08:03 AM

are you talking about adding an external fender/bumper mounted cooler?

adamred · adamred's Garage

No, the collapsable tubes under the motor that are leaking oil like sand through the hourglass all over my little garage's floor.....

JavaBrewer · JavaBrewer's Garage

Adam,

I believe you're talking about the 4 oil return tubes that can be replaced with expandable versions by the DIY? If so I have quotes from two shops here in San Diego of $450 and $300 (not including oil change). I am still waiting for a free weekend to change mine out. I'm getting sick of replacing the cardboard oil pan that my dog keeps tearing up

edit - forgot to mention that the quoted prices are for the expandable versions as the originals would involve removing the heads.

Good luck.

k9handler · 01-03-2003, 08:13 AM

seems to me that would be a simple task combined with an oil change...you prabably would spend more time on this post that the task itself. Just my .02 cents worth.

adamred · adamred's Garage

David:
Right, that's what I need to do, I'm running out of kittie litter....Simple for some, all day headache for others, I'm just starting out here and its cold as heck on the East coast these days....

Adam

JavaBrewer · JavaBrewer's Garage

Well I don't have the excuse of the cold weather...but I know its not going to be a 'couple hour' job for me. My hands get real stupid when it comes to car mechanicals. Regardless, I'm going to attempt this myself some upcoming Saturday. I've already bought the floor jack and stands (brakes went well) so I'm "committed". I've heard that a hose clamp around the tube for leverage to push it home really helps matters.

My local shop warned me to not do them myself, "We get lots of cars towed in here after the owners finally gave up. It's not an easy job to do." I'm hoping that patience, good music, a couple beers, required qauze/bandages and antibiotic ointment, and of course the magic hose clamps, will prove him wrong!

sammyg2 · 01-03-2003, 09:21 AM

The hardest part is getting the heat exchangers out of the way. I guess someone with small hands might be able to get around them. The tube install is pretty easy and the removal of the old ones is fun. can you say "great big channel locks?"

johnnyo200 · 01-03-2003, 09:28 AM

Expandables are the way to go (you don't have to remove anything) unless you're doing a rebuild/top end job. It's more of a go slow, be patient. I rushed it and dinked up a o-ring.

Yes, its tight on space, I've got huge hands (not bragging javascript:smilie('

')), but it was easy.

bolsen · 01-03-2003, 09:42 AM

Adam,
Since you've already got the collapsible tubes, this would be a definite DIY, IMO. You probably don't need to replace the tubes, just the O-rings. There are four per tube; one on each end, and two smaller ones in the middle. So, you'd be out about ten bucks for the O-rings, plus a tube of Syl-Glide or Dow Corning 111 O-ring lube, plus 4 hose clamps, plus the oil change. No way I'd pay $300-450 for this. The biggest PITA is getting the replacement C-clips in place. Save yourself the aggro, and use hose clamps instead. You're probably looking at 3-4 hours max. for the whole ball of wax.

Regards. Brian

yelcab1 · 01-03-2003, 09:50 AM

I would not call this task easy. However, if you are a DIY, then it is definitely doable. For the first time DIY, I would say: reserve the whole saturday at your friend's great big garage. Go slow, learn and enjoy. If you do end up wanting to or having to remove the header, remember that those exhaust nuts can be frozen on there really tight. That is probably the most difficult part of the job, especially if you don't have the wright wrench, or allen bit.

Rot 911 · 01-03-2003, 09:58 AM

Not that hard to do. About two hours. If you have air injectors you will have to remove the left side heat exchanger which will add greatly to the time involved. Here is a good overview on the subject:
Observations on Replacing Oil Return Tubes

adamred · adamred's Garage

Thanks for the advice and threads guys. My wrench is on vacation until Monday, will get a price quote from him, if it crosses the $200 barrier I think this might be my very first DIY....I've been dying to get a little grease on my copy of 101 projects and make my wife understand that its not the latest coffee table book

dapplestein · 01-03-2003, 01:44 PM

Adam:
Did my '84 several years ago. It's not that hard - certainly easier than spending anything around or over $200. Jack up car, take channel locks to the existing tubes and twist them out. Put a little oil on the O ring seals and insert. You just saved yourself $400! For a first timer, 1 to 2 hours should do it. Good luck - just keep saying "I think I can, I think I can."
Don

Superman · 01-03-2003, 02:13 PM

On my SC, this was not a hard job. Heat exchangers did not need to be moved. If your system is different from mine (doubtful), and HE must be removed, then this job could turn into trouble. If there are no air injectors or other crap in the way, then this job will only take 2 hours if you do it with your feet.