2000 Cavalier Timing Cover Gasket Install Price ??

[Longer99]

Anyone out there have a labor estimate manual? I have a female friend who had her car at the dealer recently. They stated she needed a timing cover gasket and valve cover gasket replaced. The estimated it at just under $700. First off, this vehicle shows very little signs of oil leaks and doesnt even use a quart between changes. It doesnt leave any oil on her garage floor either. You can see signs of a minor leak around the valve cover, but its very minor. I know the valve cover gasket is a simple job, but I find it hard to believe the timing cover gasket is $600+.

Any help or insight is appreciated. The dealer now has her worried as they stated her car could catch fire because of these two problems. I told her to get a second opinion as I dont believe I would do either repair yet, if it was my car.

Sorry, 2000 model with 2.2L

[Classicrocjunkie]

Thats about right... sad to say it but its in one of those locations where they ream you a new A-hole.

... its the silver cover in the circled region. You need to remove the crankshaft pully..

[Langning]

Originally Posted by Longer99

The dealer now has her worried as they stated her car could catch fire because of these two problems.

Your friend's car won't catch fire. My car was leaking all oil, PS fluid, & antifreeze for years around belt area and even leaking fuel at injectors this winter. Nothing happened to my car... (Well, it did fixed all the leaks now)

Plus I don't think engine oil is combustible. Too often when I changed oil filter and spilled oil onto the exhaust pipe, I just wiped it with a single paper towel and the oil residue "smoked"... Most older engines are "coated" with engine oil/smut, seldom do we see car catch fire. $700 is a lot of money to fix a minor oil leak!!!

[Classicrocjunkie]

figure there charging you 200 for the valve cover gasket and the other 400 is for the other one. Most of its labor parts will probably run you less than 30 bucks..

[Longer99]

Thanks, that is exactly what I was telling her. I could do the valve cover myself. I told her to get the valve cover done if she was getting a burning smell and just to keep an eye on it. She said that there isnt but maybe drop or two on her garage floor.