Fair cost for repairs?

[dmperfection]

We were recently quoted $500 from what we beleive to be a fair shop to replace intake gaskets and fuel pressure regulator on our '02 3.5L.

Is this a fair price?

I'm almost tempted to do it myself.

[atraudes]

The fuel pressure regulator you absolutely can do yourself! It takes about 30 minutes to do your first time and only requires basic tools. I posted the steps and some notes on it here.

The intake gaskets are more involved and require more time and tools but you can do it in an afternoon. I've done it a few times for various reasons and can have it apart in 30 minutes now. This walkthrough will give you the steps and will give you a feel for what's involved. If you end up tackling it, post back and I'll give you some additional tips.

$500 seems about right, I guess. The gaskets are $30 and the fuel pressure regulator (FPR) will run between $80 and $100. At $100 an hour for labor that puts them at about 3.5-4 hours of labor which seems reasonable.

Question though: why are they replacing these things? Neither are super surprising, but what prompted the repair?