|
|
|
Post Reply |
|
Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
12-10-2018, 11:19 AM | #1 |
New Member
9
Rep 10
Posts |
At BMW now, trying to charge me $1800 for a valve cover gasket
Hello All,
Brought my car in for the PCV Valve Heater & Blower Motor Wiring recall. I told them that I have been having with the car randomly shutting off when I slow down to stop. Not gonna give the whole history of that problem, because I've already done a post about that. But the bottom line is they said that I need a new valve cover gasket, which I already knew, and also another venos solenoid, which is what's causing it to shut off. Total cost for all is $3300, not to mention the ridiculous $175 diagnostic fee! Before I rant about BMW's criminal prices, I am just curious if anyone has ever had any success in getting BMW to cover the valve cover gasket repair, with the understanding that the PCV issue can cause problems in this area? I've seen a lot of information online saying that a failing PCV will cause issues with the valve cover gasket, misfires and several other symptoms that I am having. I've also read discussions on here with conflicting opinions as to it is or is not related. As such, I do not feel comfortable making a fuss, unless I know that someone else was successful in arguing that their valve cover issues are related to the PCV.....or can give me enough expert advice to support an argument. Anyone? As for BMW's thievery, my dad's mechanic replaced one of my vanos solenoids a few months ago for $120 and it literally took him less than 20 minutes once we got the part....I watched. While I know the bulk of that was labor, it wasn't $1500. I just called him about the valve cover gasket and he said he can do that for $260. Needless to say, I can't get to his shop fast enough. How BMW can charge the prices that they do is beyond logic. |
12-10-2018, 11:51 AM | #2 |
Lieutenant General
5225
Rep 10,610
Posts |
Find a good independent shop. A dealer is the last place I would take my car unless it was under warranty.
|
12-10-2018, 12:09 PM | #4 |
New Member
9
Rep 10
Posts |
Yeah, I never go to the dealer and wouldn't have brought it here this time if it weren't for the PCV recall and the fact that I thought that the recall caused problems with valve cover gasket and hopes they would fix it at no cost to me.
|
Appreciate
1
LatifE90265.00 |
12-10-2018, 12:54 PM | #6 |
Major General
1889
Rep 5,506
Posts |
I got a $2k quote for valve cover gaskets at the dealer. It's not easily accessible so most of the cost is labor. The intake manifold needs to come off, all the coil packs, the air box etc.
You can find a independent shop with a lower hourly rate but it'll still quite a bit of labor to replace it. If someone can do V8 M3 valve cover gaskets for $260 labor... run, don't walk. They don't know what they're getting into. That's at least a good 4-5 hours of labor to disassemble and reassemble everything. It's not a Honda valve cover gasket which I can do in 30 minutes in my sleep.
__________________
Auto Detailing Enthusiast!
|
Appreciate
0
|
12-10-2018, 01:04 PM | #7 |
New Member
9
Rep 10
Posts |
Thanks, but I believe my dad's mechanic is just giving me a good deal, because he told me that it's a 4 hour job and the quoted price is with a discount on labor price. The last time he worked on my mom's car, he only charged $40 labor, so that may be the same for me. Didn't think to ask. They've been using him for about 5 years now and never any complaints about his work.
|
Appreciate
0
|
12-10-2018, 01:07 PM | #8 | |
Major General
1889
Rep 5,506
Posts |
Quote:
No mechanic would work for $50 an hour around here. Cheapest is usually $100 with dealers charging double that. My valve cover gasket is just weeping. It's not very bad so I've been pushing it back because it's a big expense for not much gain.
__________________
Auto Detailing Enthusiast!
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
12-10-2018, 08:25 PM | #9 |
Second Lieutenant
109
Rep 234
Posts |
I just replaced mine and its not that bad on the M3. I actually found it easier compared it to my prior e90 328 and was faster.
Im sure a indie whom does euro cars would charge 400-700 for this kind of job. It took me 3.5 hours and im sure the pros can do it faster. Also unless your losing oil, don't let the weep bother you, its more of a nuisance and eyesore. |
Appreciate
0
|
12-11-2018, 06:54 AM | #11 |
Enlisted Member
20
Rep 45
Posts
Drives: 2008 BMW M3
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Sanford, NC
|
I did both my valve cover gaskets recently, replaced spark plugs tubes and replaced all cover screws as recommended. I believe I spent $80 on the tubes, about $180 on the new screws, and under $100 on the gaskets. There are couple of nice DIY for this job on YouTube. Not a hard project but yes it was time consuming. There are a couple "hard to reach" screws in the back but not impossible to get to. It was a good time to replace spark plugs as well! It's doable if you are comfortable with your ability. Good luck, if not just be on the safe side and pay an experienced mechanic to do the job!
Last edited by petem; 12-11-2018 at 12:47 PM.. |
12-11-2018, 07:20 AM | #12 | |
Brigadier General
2778
Rep 4,248
Posts
Drives: 2017 M3 MG/SO ZCP DCT
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: North Carolina
|
Quote:
Are there replacement gaskets with improved materials or is it doomed to fail same as original gasket?? |
|
Appreciate
0
|
12-11-2018, 10:38 AM | #13 | |
Private First Class
102
Rep 142
Posts |
Quote:
Like Petem, I did this and it was pretty easy, but I'm also used to the engine bay of a Z32 TT. I used the ÜRO Parts for the gaskets and spark plug tubes plus the NGK 4471 plugs.
__________________
-Kai
|
|
12-11-2018, 10:45 AM | #14 | |
First Lieutenant
384
Rep 369
Posts |
Quote:
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
12-11-2018, 11:32 AM | #15 | |
Major General
1889
Rep 5,506
Posts |
Quote:
I did have the dealer do stuff for me because it was under the new car warranty but I refuse to pay the dealer a penny otherwise. I've owned the car for 10 years so it's not under warranty now. I'm just quoting labor rates and hours for those that are interested in paying someone to do it. I can understand that not everyone DIY things as much as I do.
__________________
Auto Detailing Enthusiast!
Last edited by Z K; 12-11-2018 at 11:38 AM.. |
|
12-11-2018, 11:40 AM | #16 | |
First Lieutenant
384
Rep 369
Posts |
Quote:
|
|
Appreciate
1
Z K1888.50 |
12-11-2018, 11:46 AM | #17 |
Second Lieutenant
109
Rep 234
Posts |
Op, fcp euro sells a vc gasket kit with the spark plug tubes for about 180, it sometimes goes on sale for 160. I dont think anyone other than BMW makes the VC gasket. You want to replace the tubes too as the magnesium coating crumbles in those spots as well.
Deansbimmer posted a while back that the coating breaks off which can lead to minor leaks, therefore you have to use wire wheel brush using a dremel in between the gasket grooves upon the valve cover to truly get it clean and ready for a new gasket. I spent nearly an hour just cleaning both covers as i was super picky given my coating was crumbling. |
Appreciate
0
|
12-11-2018, 11:48 AM | #18 |
Major General
1889
Rep 5,506
Posts |
That is true. Even doing things myself, I end up messing things up. I recently stripped the oil pan drain bolt because I tightened it too much (aluminum pan + steel bolt = bad news). Drilled it out and put in a time sert. That's with me being careful.. I can see a shop totally messing it up.
__________________
Auto Detailing Enthusiast!
|
Appreciate
1
IanMan384.00 |
12-11-2018, 11:52 AM | #19 |
Major General
2759
Rep 5,484
Posts |
I'm a moron and I did this in under 4 hours. Even at extortionate shop rates that's under $1k parts and labor. Book time on this must be insane, or they are. It's not all BMW driving this, the shop gets to decide what they want to charge, and there are a lot of fools with money driving around in BMW's
__________________
|
12-16-2018, 12:01 AM | #20 |
New Member
8
Rep 6
Posts |
Damn, I got quoted $3.1k to do the valve cover gaskets and spark plugs by an indy.
They also just recently charged me $340 for an oil change (including filter change). Time to find a new place? |
Appreciate
4
|
12-16-2018, 07:58 AM | #22 |
Colonel
2359
Rep 2,360
Posts
Drives: G87 M2; E92M3 MT&DCT; M3 euro
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: nyc
|
Paid around 800 bucks for both gaskets/spark plugs/oil separators at the dealership. Surprised by the labor cost in the States.
__________________
Pass me if you can.
|
Appreciate
0
|
Post Reply |
Bookmarks |
|
|