Inlet manifold gasket

[gogoboygareth]

Hi all,

My VXII (with 190,000km's on the clock) has started to get a bit of oil in the coolant (not the other way around thankfully!).

My mechanic claims the inlet manifold gaskets are shot, and that's what's doing it.

Trouble is - he quoted $450 to do the work. That seems a bit high, and that might not even be the problem.

How much should it *really* cost, assuming I go to a mechanic?

I'm not sure if it's worth me attempting to do this myself - I'm not that technically minded. Heck, I've never even changed the oil myself!

[immortality]

are you sure it's engine oil in the coolant and not trans fluid? sometimes the trans cooler built into the radiator can start to leak into the cooland. not unheard off. check the trans fluid and see if there is any contamination.

if you don't chagne your own oil it probably is best to have someone do the work for you. best to shop around and get a few quotes and opinions on the problem before paying a lotta cash for something that isn't wrong

[gogoboygareth]

It could be, but the trans fluid level is fine. It's starting to get a bit dirty, so I really should change it soon.

p.s. I am determined to learn how to change the oil... one day soon!

[gogoboygareth]

Okay guys... I keep seeing on this forum quotes for around $150 - $200 to change the inlet manifold gasket.

I have been speaking with my mechanic, who's a pretty decent guy, and he claims it's a lot of work (about 4 hours all up) and the best he can do is $350. That includes all the genuine parts, and flushing/replacing the coolant, new thermostat etc.

So how are the other mechanics doing it cheaper?

[jazza15]

He just slid $100! clearly too much if he is willing to slide that much.
Holden service in Bundoora quoted me $350 to replace and bleed my clutch master and slave cylinder. He goes "it's 3 hours labour" i wasn't too happy. Holden Service in Fawkner quoted me $175. that's half the price, so i decided to boycott Holden for the job as they are a RIP OFF. I go to a brake and clutch specialist nearby and they quote me about $70 to do the job, and a bit less if i byo brake fluid, which i was gunna do as i had a whole bottle sitting there in the shed.
I get the job done, with parts on the cheaper end of the scale (yes that varies a bit between holden dealerships as well). The labour ended up costing me $65 which the mechanic wasn't too happy with as he admitted that he may have underquoted me a bit. So i probas could have got it done for under $100 still on another day.
MORAL OF THE STORY: shop around!

[gogoboygareth]

Well that $350 is if I pay cash. Ahem...

He's always been honest with me, and he lets me bring in my own parts and he fits them at his labour rate, so he's so far been able to beat every other quote for all the work I've done to the car.

It's only now with this inlet manifold gasket that I've seen a big difference in price.... so I'm very confused!

EDIT - Okay not a big a difference as I thought. I was using the quotes from the forums here - but I've just called around and been quoted $250 - $300 for the work. And I doubt they'll be as thorough as my own mechanic. Hmm...

[Cheap6]

It doesn't matter how much (how little) it costs if it's not done right. Low bid is not necessarily best. Not everyone will be replacing the thermostat for example. That would also require a thermostat gasket => a few more $$.

If you trust the current guy, I say go with him. It's actually a pretty straightforward job if it's only a bolt off/on exercise, 2 hours really, but it can take longer if something goes wrong. It is possible that your guy is covering himself or even making back a bit from an earlier job he undercharged you for.

[vnv8driver]

If theres oil in the coolant then theres coolant in the oil, if your absolutely sure motor oil isnt addected i would be leaning towards a transmission fluid leak in the radiaotr core.

300-400 is reasnoble for a joe blo walking in off the street and getting the work done, it takes around 3-4 hours if doing it yourself from start to finish so that price seems fair enough to me.

[vxcalais_01]

I got quoted $150 including gaskets for a VX. Another mechanic known to be slightly dearer quoted $250 and that was only if they had been repaired before using sealant etc as extra cleaning of the surfaces. For $120 you fix it yourself, $80 for ACL set from Repco, $12 for sealant and rest for odd tools here and there. Days work if you change oil and drain the coolant and run water for the first day, as the coolant attacks the gasket and has the ability to flow through small scratches you may have caused when cleaning it down. Did you find the how to ???

http://forum.****************.com.au....php?t=8468794

You wont get any better than that......

[vxcalais_01]

the ****************** part is s t r e e t c o m m o d o r e s but as 1 word.