Recent work done - opinions on the cost....

944S Boyeee · 07-05-2002, 12:08 PM

Just looking for an opinion if I was charged a fair amount for certain work done.
He is what was done on my 88' 944S....

1. Oil change (I supplied the oil and filter)
2. Spark plug wires and spark plugs changed (again, I supplied the wires ($$) and plugs)
3. Power steering fluid leak fixed (both clamps and hoses in and out replaced - I did not supply)

Total cost after taxes......$187 Canadian.

Is this fair or wayyyyyy to much??

944S Boyeee

P.S. - on a side note, none of my plugs had anything on them, so that's good. There were no oil leaks. I have two transaxel leaks. One one the back silicone seal and one around the rubber plug. Is it true it's a 5-hour job to fix these leaks? Also, is it true you have to remove the transaxel to get at the clutch?

todd951 · 07-05-2002, 12:28 PM

Which p/s hoses were replaced? The one from the reservoir to the pump is fairly inexpensive, but the others (pressure and return from the pump to the rack) are rather expensive. Those two hoses should cost more than $187 Canadian just for the parts, so if they were indeed replaced then I'd say you got a smokin' deal. Otherwise, I'd say it's probably reasonable for the labor performed, but you really could have done the oil change and plugs/wires yourself. Or at least the plugs and wires if you don't feel like crawling under the car.

scottmandue · 07-05-2002, 12:34 PM

Sounds like a okay deal.
Someone on this BBS is going to tell you that you should have done the work yourself, BUT NOT ME!

Gee in So. Cal. the dealer charges that much just to change the air in your tires.

But seriously, I have seen posts where some people pay eighty or ninty buck (American) to have the dealer change their oil!
Ah but they use the use the special solid platinum Porsche oil filter removal wrench.

944S Boyeee · 07-05-2002, 12:50 PM

Only the hoses coming to and from the res. were replaced.

I know I could have done the oil change (next time for sure), but I needed it done by suppertime today, as I'm going away tonite. As for the plugs and wires, I guess I was a bit scared of over or under torqueing the plugs, as I have no torque wrench yet (I HAVE to get one of those on Monday).

From now on, small work like this will be done by me - I just thought $187 seemed high. I figured the oil change should have been around $15 (cause I supplied the oil and filter) - the hose and clamp changes should have run me around $50-75. What was sad was the cost of changing the wires and plugs. That should take, what, 15 minutes??? The shop book apparently calls for 2.5 hours for this job?? I guess I felt a wee bit overcharged for the wire and plug replacement.

I did luck out though. The owner of the place where I took the car (was recommended) turns out to be a 944 Turbo owner and has owned 5-6 Porsches over the years - so he does know these cars pretty good - which I like!! I think I found my "tech" and he doesn't work at a dealership.

944S Boyeee

AFJuvat · 07-05-2002, 01:48 PM

Yeah, you got a little "taken" seeing as you supplied all the goodies - essentially you payed for "book" labor.

Yeah, you could have done it all in about 30 minutes. No big deal, a little poorer but wiser.

You don't really have to worry a whole lot about overtorquing the plugs. Smear a little anti-sieze on the threads and snug them in.

AFJuvat

944S Boyeee · 07-05-2002, 01:58 PM

"A little poorer, but wiser"......

EXACTLY!!! I know now that I could have easily done all this myself. I need to invest in some ramps (oil change) and a torque wrench......for now!

Does anyone know about the transaxel leaks? Is it that hard to stop a minor leak around the plug and the back seal?

Also, is it true that the transaxel must come out to get at the clutch?

944S Boyeee

AFJuvat · 07-05-2002, 03:28 PM

Actually, you don't really need ramps or a jack to do an oil change. You can reach the drainplug from the passenger side of the car. I use a 15mm socket and a 25cm extension.

Drain the oil out of the pan, remove the oil fill cap, then punch a hole in the top of the old filter - it releases some of the pressure in the filter and allows it to drain out - rather than it all draining out when you remove the filter.

AFJuvat

overkill · 07-05-2002, 03:43 PM

Dude, you should of done it yourself!

Crippler · 07-05-2002, 05:04 PM

Yeah, it is true that y ou have to take the transaxle out to change the clutch. However it is quite easy, just takes a little bit of time. I just took mine out along with my engine. If you have anymore questions, I'll be glad to try and help you.

todwic · todwic's Garage

I do the same as Juv with the extension (I'm a big ol boy [read:fat bastad] and ramps don't lift it up quite enough for my comfort.