Another Chain Guide Disaster Averted

[squeefoo]

On a side note, I take the "scam" remark back. I will replace that with "Overpriced". Is that better?

It is a good deal with all the "standard overhead": You have to pay everyone and every bill. Every Month. Insurance (health and all the forms of risk insurance involved)Regulation Compliance. I used to get paid for used oil -not anymore, now you pay for them to pick it up... just for one example.Taxes; Soc. Sec. co-pay, Unemployment, Property, Etc.Compliance with Taxes: Accountant, Tax AttorneyMaintenance, you can't have the place look like crap, the toilet has to work, the heat has to work. Air compressor maint... Car lift maint.

Oil, Grease, Antifreeze, Brake lathe, Tire Balancer, Torch Gas, Bearing Press, Anti Freeze Machine, Trans. Fluid Machine, Alignment Rack. All in stock or in working condition, and specialty equipment.

You have to make a certain amount per hour or you lose money, and that's not good business.

I forgot to mention why the business is there in the first place:

the Owner has to get paid *after* all this other stuff is.

[JT_MONEY_2004]

Thats not a deal in my opinion. I can get it done for $550 parts and labor.

NO WAY, unless You must get a hella deal on INFINITI parts!! I remember my parts invoice for the job-- over $400. --doesn't leave alot of labor $--dont' let a Crackhead do the job.

[Jesda]

Parts was $425 for me. Labor $600ish. Perhaps if you do it -yourself- you can get away with $400 parts + an extra $50-$100 for misc tools.

[3rd Q]

Squeefoo,This spirited debate makes me doubly glad you were willing to help out.Besides, there was plenty of good conversation and a few laughs. Plus, you had some tools that I didn't have that made the job go much more smoothly. Thanks again!

[squeefoo]

You're Welcome. Air tools, heat, and workin' on a Q car = fun. Now we just have to get yours to handle as well as mine!I'm especially glad we don't have to call you 4thQ... or worse... NoQ.

[vicQ45]

the shops i asked quoted me 28 hrs!!! by the book. and all teh shops in by area charge ~70/hr... thats about what i paid for the car a few months ago. i gotta find one of these sub-$1500 places.

[vicQ45]

hehe... mapquest says 13hrs i could make it to atlanta in about a day if i could sit that long. i drive 300mi each way every weekend, so i might be able to do it hehe...lots of coffee... but seriously i'd rather have it done closer...

[DAEDALUS]

the shops i asked quoted me 28 hrs!!! by the book. and all teh shops in by area charge ~70/hr... thats about what i paid for the car a few months ago. i gotta find one of these sub-$1500 places.

Their labor manuals probably only have the timing chain replacement job listed. That's about 2x the work vs. doing just the guides. If you can find a service writer who's willing to work with you, pop the hood, explain the procedure and point out what needs to come off (the valve cover's don't have to). Print out some of Tangalora's pix and take 'em with you. Ask around for good independents.

[maxnix]

the shops i asked quoted me 28 hrs!!! by the book. and all the shops in by area charge ~70/hr...

Cheap for a Infiniti Senior Technician. Any good ASE certified technician will bill $70/hr.

[vicQ45]

his book lists 28hrs for both the chain replacement AND the timing coer removal...don't quite trust that...

[maxnix]

Timing chain replacement seldom required unless damaged or stretched. Oil pump chain replacement usually a good idea. Timing chain replacement requires addtional dissembly of the upper covers.