Oil Pan Gasket for 2001 Ford Taurus

[kmlayton]

I own a 2001 Ford Taurus with 108,000 miles. My oil pan gasket needs replaced, because I have been leaking a lot of oil and have had two mechanics tell me that the gasket is sticking out from the oil plan. I have been trying to get some quotes to see how much it will cost. I have heard $330, $275, and my latest quote has been $200. When I have asked for this quote, I haven't asked if that included parts and labor. Does anyone know that when a mechanic gives me a quote, does that quote include parts and labor or not? I recently got a quote for my wife's car to get her brakes fixed for $400 dollars, but it ended up costing us $570. Also, are the quotes listed above pretty reasonable to get an oil pan gasket replaced? Is this a job that I could possibly do on my own? I hear that it time consuming.

Any thoughts? Also, thank you for all of your help with my previous car issues. I am beginning to believe that my Taurus is a lemon. It seems that there is always something wrong with it.

One last thing since I am thinking about it. The brakes for my wife's car that I mentioned above that got fixed, recently has been screeching when you brake. It almost sounds like metal on metal. Any ideas? Did the mechanic do something wrong and if so, should they fix it for free?

[Willyum]

I think that you should consider that you are a poor shopper to be paying that kind of $$ for auto service. Is a place where I live, "Only Brakes" that does complete brake jobs for $99, includes drum/rotor turning and a lifetime warranty. It is up to the consumer (you) when you get an estimate for work done to ascertain if it is all inclusive or covers what you want. Check the back of your receipt for the brake job to see if it had any kind of warranty.
If your pan gasket pushed out it was likely the fault of the PVC valve not being serviced as prescribed. Too much internal pressure built up and forced it out.
Next thing you might want to consider is that the "lemon" transmission in your Taurus will begin to fail because it didn't have the prescribed service done.
Think my grandpa told me, if it has wheels or sex organs, you'r going to have trouble with it.
Regardless of brand, cars wear out brakes and need maintenance.

[drdisque]

if the pan isn't damaged, replacing an oil pan gasket should run under $150

[mwt878991]

If it is the Vulcan you can loosen the pan gaskets and "push" the gasket back in.

It has been a problem for Years.


Mike

[joe92k1500]

On my old 01 vulcan taurus I had the gasket replaced twice by the dealer. Both times the PCV system checked out fine. On the last gasket it was finally redesigned by ford with clips on the front so it snaps on the U section of the pan and will not slip out ( also NAPA has this redesigned gasket). depending on labor rates it can run you from $150 to $250 for the complete bill.

[Banjoman10]

You're astonishingly vague about the brake "repair". It could have been front, (pads) rear (shoes) replacements, turning drums and rotors, (or) replacing drums and rotors, bleeding/replacement of brake fluid, master cylinder replacement, and a number of other things a well. For that reason, the cost you mention cannot be evaluated in any shape or form. It does seem to be high though.

[kmlayton]

Thanks for the replies. As far as the brake job, all 4 rotors will replaced b/c they couldn't be turned, 4 new brake pads and shoes. This totaled $290. Then I was charged for 5 hours of labor at $50/hour. Which ran to $250. Add tax and that is how I got the $570 total for brakes.

Sorry for being vague.