stemple37

I have been diagnosed with leaky valve cove gaskets. Oil dripping on exhaust and smoking and burn smell coming into the cabin.

I have have been given an estimate of $400 to replace both sides at an Indy. Is this within line price wise??

Amir_AMG

check around. the parts themselves are dirt cheap, the labor is what gets you

Eojj

$40 for a pair of gaskets, maybe 2-3 hours of labor ($50-100/hr)... You could probably get it done for cheaper but $400 isn't horrible if its a reputable mechanic

gixxerboy

that's a fair price if at a reputable shop. I charge $105 an hour. Yes gaskets are cheap but they are marked up too

floridawriter

I agree, 400 is a reasonable price. You should also consider opening the breather box covers, cleaning and resealing them as well as replacing all the breather hoses at the same time you have the valve cover gaskets replaced. It will add about 2 hours of labor plus probably 50 dollars for new breather hoses.

Rudeney

Make sure you use genuine MBZ gaskets. Some aftermarket parts, like Victor Reinz brand, are too thin and will leak. Genuine gaskets are maybe $20 more than aftermarket. As for labor, if the job includes thoroughly cleaning the covers and resealing the breather covers and OEM parts, then that's not too bad. I can do the job in an hour not doing the cleanup or breather covers. Another hour to add those items.

AMG_Adon

i got quoted 300 by my indy so def can go lower

waveterrorist

First thing is of course to be sure you need the new gaskets and not just the breathers which was my situation. And as Rodney says cleaning those suckers up is a time consuming pita.