Valve Cover Gasket labor charge...

[NightRiderQ45]

I'm going to get my driver's side valve cover gasket replaced (psgnr side done) this Friday because because the sip has turned into a definite leak. It's getting to the point where the oil that is dripping on the hot exhaust is causing smoke to come up from the hood....which of course isn't a good look. Plus the smell of burnt oil once I step out of car is getting to be too much for me.

Anyway, I went by the dealer to get a labor quote and they told me that it would cost $350 just to do the driver's side. I know there is more work that is involved on the driver's side, but I thought that was kind of high. What do you all think? Well I met a guy who was working for Lexus for 10 years and he just opened his own shop. The guy is very savy on cars and he is missed by the Lexus dealer...(I went there to verify ) Well, he saw my car and he quoted me $280 on the high side. He said that it should be lower than than once he gets under the hood. Of course I'm going with the lower quote since I already have all gaskets needed. I just wanted to see what you all thought.

Bullitandy, I wish I was still in Alabama....I would make a trip to Atl so you could do my VC gaskets...since it's your new hobby on Y33's

[bullittandy]

Well, I just charged $225 (parts and labor) to change the driver's valve cover gasket and knock sensors on a 1997 Q45-but it was my mom's car so that doesn't count.

Driver's side is worse but not terrible, the only trouble is that one bracket holding the intake in the middle, someone else managed to get it off but I've cut off on all 3 cars I've changed to save time-I expect youe mechanic will remove it.

I would pay $250 or less to have someone else do it and so anything below $300 is a deal (to me) and I imagine that anybody who works on Lexus' can handle it.

good luck!!

[elwesso]

assuming around $100/hr for dealer labor, 3.5-4 hours for one side is not unreasonable at all.

Consider doing both sides and changing the plugs at the same time so you're guarnteed not to have to go in that "region" for another 60k miles.

As said before, the 3 most dangerous words when working on Q's are "might as well"

[maxnix]

Well I met a guy who was working for Lexus for 10 years and he just opened his own shop. The guy is very savy on cars and he is missed by the Lexus dealer...(I went there to verify ) Well, he saw my car and he quoted me $280 on the high side. He said that it should be lower than than once he gets under the hood. Of course I'm going with the lower quote since I already have all gaskets needed. I just wanted to see what you all thought.

I think you are dealing with a guy who doesn't know his way around a VH series engine.

I think you are delusional also if you think the passenger side does not require this same service. I also think you will be paying for this labor again soon when you have to pull the plenum.

[Q45tech]

Dealer rates in Metro ATL are closer to $115-$125 depending on location among 5 dealers vs T3 $85. I all depends on overhead as most technicans receive the same per hour pay [+- a few $]............only the 3 - T3 locations use a salary pay scheme which assumes 50 shop hours billed per week.

3.5 hours billed plus parts is normal for drivers side

[bullittandy]

I think you are delusional also if you think the passenger side does not require this same service.

One reason to not insult people is that when your wrong you look stupid. Read the first post again.

[NightRiderQ45]

I think you are dealing with a guy who doesn't know his way around a VH series engine.

I think you are delusional also if you think the passenger side does not require this same service. I also think you will be paying for this labor again soon when you have to pull the plenum.

You "think" but you actually don't know anything. If the guy can work on complicated Lexus motors, he can surely work on my car.

Once again you made yourself look like a complete idiot because I clearly stated that the passenger side was done. One must learn to read to truly understand...

[NightRiderQ45]

Dealer rates in Metro ATL are closer to $115-$125 depending on location among 5 dealers vs T3 $85. I all depends on overhead as most technicans receive the same per hour pay [+- a few $]............only the 3 - T3 locations use a salary pay scheme which assumes 50 shop hours billed per week.

3.5 hours billed plus parts is normal for drivers side

Ok, so the dealer's price wasn't rip off then. I was going to let Infiniti do the job until the salesman from Lexus gave me this new guy's number. Thanks for the info.

[NightRiderQ45]

doing both sides and changing the plugs at the same time so you're guarnteed not to have to go in that "region" for another 60k miles.

The passenger side is already completed. That was the easy side to complete. I wasn't going to deal with the driver's side myself so that's why I got a quote. My plugs were done 50k miles ago, so my plugs are ok. Thanks for the insight though.

[Drake57]

When sealing passenger side vc on a 1992, isn't it necessary to remove that part of the AC low pressure line that dresses just above the rear part of vc?

There seems so little clearance. Just a question here.

Thanks, Drake.

[maxnix]

1.) You "think" but you actually don't know anything.

2.) If the guy can work on complicated Lexus motors, he can surely work on my car.

1.) Sorry I did not see where you had stated that. Usually done together, hence my comment. So you were only delusional about your driver's side VC. Sooooo Sorrry!

2.) That is a most erroneous assumption. Similar motors, but not the same in execution or design when one gets into the details. Like Q45tech says, 3.5 Book hrs. so you can devide by his lablor rate and see how close he is! Ain't arithmetic grand?

[NightRiderQ45]

1.) Sorry I did not see where you had stated that. Usually done together, hence my comment. So you were only delusional about your driver's side VC. Sooooo Sorrry!

2.) That is a most erroneous assumption. Similar motors, but not the same in execution or design when one gets into the details. Like Q45tech says, 3.5 Book hrs. so you can devide by his lablor rate and see how close he is! Ain't arithmetic grand?

1) The only reason why both were not done at the same time because the place you swear by IOS sent me the wrong VC gasket and had to wait a week to get the correct part! The appointment was already set so I had to ONLY get the passenger side done. IOS has screwed me over too many times so I don't plan on using them again unless my back is to the wall. I think those people ship out items with their eyes blindfolded.

2) Do you really expect his price to be the same as the dealer??? The guy got tired of making money of Lexus and decided to get his own business which is great. But since his price is cheaper than the stealership, he doesn't know anything huh?

Anyway, I got the answer I needed from previous posts.

[qship96]

Brian, I {as I am sure, everyone else here} find it SHOCKING that you think a certified long term Lexus technician is not qualified to change a simple valve cover gasket on a q45, yet somehow a shadetree wrench turning owner{YOU} changed your own and even removed your own plenum!

Its a new year.....time to stop the insanity!!!!

[NightRiderQ45]

Brian, I {as I am sure, everyone else here} find it SHOCKING that you think a certified long term Lexus technician is not qualified to change a simple valve cover gasket on a q45, yet somehow a shadetree wrench turning owner{YOU} changed your own and even removed your own plenum!

Its a new year.....time to stop the insanity!!!!

LOL!!! OMG...this is the perfect response!

[96'er]

Having replaced both sides with all the proper tools, it took me 9 hours for both. Doing it again, I would gladly pay $300 to have someone else replace it for me.

[Drake57]

I just did driverside on 1992, the plenum doesn't seem like such a big deal. Hardest part was disconnecting the T hose that provides clean air to IAC and crankcase ventilation.

Can anyone say whether the passenger side can be done without opening up the AC system to remove the refrigerant line that is over the back end of the passenger side VC?

Thanks, Drake

[Q45tech]

Why would you think 50k [especially after the first change interval] plugs are ok without viewing them when that requires minimal extra effort at the same time. You never know about spark plugs why the FSM always recommends the very first thing one does is check and replace plugs for almost every engine problem.

[maxnix]

Brian, I {as I am sure, everyone else here} find it SHOCKING that you think a certified long term Lexus technician is not qualified to change a simple valve cover gasket on a q45, yet somehow a shadetree wrench turning owner{YOU} changed your own and even removed your own plenum!

Its a new year.....time to stop the insanity!!!!

Been there, done that, I know.

[breaksr]

Passenger side is easier then the drivers side since you have to deal with the vent pipe that goes to the air box hose on the drivers side. This means you don't have to loosen any of the plenum bolts. You do not have to remove any A/C hoses on the '90-96 Q engines but you will have to disconnect both of the fuel lines that go over the valve cover. I like the "Import Grey" sealant from Advance Auto it lasts the longest.

[unknown007]

I did both sides.Driver is harder you have to remove the EGR and the passenger is some what easy just have to struggle wiggling it out.I would suggest DIY then pay labor and stuff.

[NightRiderQ45]

I did both sides.Driver is harder you have to remove the EGR and the passenger is some what easy just have to struggle wiggling it out.I would suggest DIY then pay labor and stuff.

Yeah, the guy sealed everything up this past Friday and now I don't hear the drops of oil hitting the exhaust anymore. He charged me $260 to complete the job so I'm happy about that. I usually DIY on certain things on my car, but I wasn't going to struggle with it.

[bullittandy]

Yeah, the guy sealed everything up this past Friday and now I don't hear the drops of oil hitting the exhaust anymore. He charged me $260 to complete the job so I'm happy about that. I usually DIY on certain things on my car, but I wasn't going to struggle with it.

Consider yourself a very fortunate soul, $260 is well worth it.