Maybe the second guy just didn't want to do the job.
Replace a head on mid 90s WL.
skin1235,
Dec 7, 3:50pm
or maybe he was being far more realistic somewhere between the two, 6 hrs would be rip it off slap on another, 16 would be remove it, thoroughly check it, dump it if it's too far gone, fit your valves in another head or at least remove and check valves in the second head properly clean up all surfaces, torque it down, run it until hot, let it cool, re-torque it, which would you prefer, the cheap version, or the one that will not have unseen issues later
bjdw,
Dec 7, 3:56pm
It is a bare head so would need to have valves etc off the old one fitted.The customer is supplying the head (the dealer he got the ute from is giving it to him as a kind of good will warranty).
unbeatabull,
Dec 7, 4:10pm
16 Hours to be fitted to a running state is far more realistic. 6 hours seems far too short to set up all the valves, clearances, shims etc etc and remove and fit a head etc on anything other then a 4K Toyota engine.
bjdw,
Dec 7, 4:18pm
Weird. The six hour guy has been in the game for a long time.Maybe there was a communication problem and he thinks he's getting a complete head.If so the customer is in for a nasty surprise.
mugenb20b,
Dec 7, 4:30pm
By WL, I assume it's a non turbo Mazda 2.5 diesel! If so, I've done three WL-T heads, turbo diesels(complete with cam, valves etc.) in the last 12 months. The first one took me about 10 hours, the second 9 and the last one 8 which included radiator replacement.
bjdw,
Dec 7, 4:41pm
So, if you're faster at it 'cos you've had lots of practice do you still charge for ten hours if it only took eight!
mugenb20b,
Dec 7, 4:45pm
The garage I work for allows 13 hours for the whole job + extra time for the radiator. Just because I do it quicker than quoted is irrelevant. That's how the garage makes money, but the poor mechanic only gets paid per hour.
bjdw,
Dec 7, 4:50pm
But then if you quote for 13 hours but the job takes 16 hours because of some unforeseen complication do they still only charge for 13 hours!
mugenb20b,
Dec 7, 4:55pm
Yep, absolutely, but only if it's a complication created by the technician. The customer is made aware of potential problems once the head is removed, like scored bores, broken piston rings, etc.
bjdw,
Dec 7, 5:04pm
Would you tell a customer before you start a job, "There is a possibility we will have to send the block away to be machined, in which case the job is gonna cost you more than what the car is worth"!
(Does this question tell you how clueless I reall am!):-)
skin1235,
Dec 7, 5:19pm
yes, perhaps word the final sentence different but essentially what you say, the customer should be made aware that once it is opened it could indicate other work not originally quoted or discussed
skin1235,
Dec 7, 5:22pm
the 6hrs is dreaming, even on an 8 valve head to change the valves requires almost half of that just for the valves alone - remove, reface, reface seats, lap in, refit, not a 5 minute job for the apprentice after smoko
snoopy221,
Dec 7, 5:36pm
And a few hours IS EXPLAINED.
alan1111,
Dec 7, 5:41pm
12 hours is more realistic. Done a couple now.
kazbanz,
Dec 7, 5:44pm
Ya know bjdw my view is simple--CYA -cover YOURrear. Get a breakdown from each workshop on whats involved
bjdw,
Dec 7, 6:03pm
Haha, not MY rear.Workmatte bought it a couple months ago.Dealer tried to get out of warranty 'cos he'd had the radiator pulled out and cleaned
"It's been worked on, no warranty"
They eventually agreed to do it for "You pay 25%, we pay 75% because you're getting a new head not 180k head"
But. he doesn't trust them to do the job right so he wants them to supply the head and he gets it done by another mechanic.
kazbanz,
May 12, 5:47pm
Well the same principle applies really. Get a breakdown of the work involved
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