I agree..The price is fair.  Especially if he did all the other stuff along
with it..Very fair by my calculations ...
Daryl of AA Transaxle
(425) 788-4070
aatransaxle.com
86 Syncro Westy
Zetec in the trunk
----- Original Message -----
From: "Robert Stewart" <robertmstewart@MAC.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Thursday, July 16, 2009 11:16 AM
Subject: Need some assistance to see if my mechanic is overcharging me...

> Need some assistance to see if my mechanic is overcharging me...
>
> So to fill you in on the background.
>
> I had brought my Van back in December to a local Engine Shop that only
> does rebuilds. It took him several months to complete the rebuild with
> all the parts I ordered from Van-Cafe (over 2K in parts). He was
> overbooked and took him a long time to get to the engine. He finished
> it back in April and my mechanic who removed the engine and delivered
> it to him had it and it was now up to him to take care of the rest.
>
> Now he had it since April, he is not a VW mechanic, his speciality is
> Nissan's.... so he needed to do some learning on the job with the
> Bentley and Haynes manuals in hand plus  some help from the Samba and
> you guys to get the job done.
>
> I clearly provided a list of what I wanted done and all the parts.
>
> Can anyone here tell me based on my list below what the general cost
> range should be?
> Now I know this is a bit to ask but I am trying to be sure I am not
> being taken here, so any idea of the realistic time frame to complete
> these jobs would be really be appreciated.
>
> Here's the list of what I asked him to do:
> Model - 88 Automatic
>
> Removal and Reinstallation of Rebuilt Engine (with all original
> external engine components i.e. fuel rails, injectors, new rubber for
> injectors provided, new spark plugs, new fuel hoses, wires, wiring
> harness, Air Flow System, with all new gaskets provided, et al.)
>
> Installation of New Fuel lines, (Engine Bay, & Front to Rear Tank Lines)
>
> Installation of 2 External Coolers (Oil and Transmission Fluids) (1)
> from BusBoys and (1) from Small Car for the tranny.
>
> Draining of Coolant Lines ( he did not flush it as he did not have the
> equipment) and Tanks & Refill Of All Coolant (Supplied)
>
> Installation of New Coolant Hoses in the engine bay and the front 2
> lines connecting to the 2 long hoses (which were good and used them)
> with the Gowesty Coolant Hose Repair Kit. ( the two metal pieces they
> sell)
>
> Draining of Transmission and Differential Gear Oils and replacement of
> fluids with new screen and filter provided.
>
> Install New Engine Oil and Screen install after rebuild completed.
>
> Installation of 3rd Party Transmission Wing Cooling System (welded)
> (this is the little metal wing sold by Terry Kay.
>
> Re-installation of existing S&S Exhaust System (though cleaned and
> painted with high temp paint by me)
>
> Reinstallation of cleaned K&N air filter.
>
> Install New the brake pads and check the brakes throughout the Van.
> (he told me I needed to have my rotors machined which I needed to
> bring to a brake shop to have done. As the 1/4 inch edge of the rotor
> was not worn down at all. It has new Brembo rotors that installed 3yrs
> ago on the van with PBR pads.)
>
>
> Note that the engine after the rebuild was brought to him bare, no
> external components just the engine core with the heads on it, intake
> runners, with the all the proper temp sensors in place. He had to put
> all the components back on.
>
> So what are your thoughts?
>
> He is telling me this is going to cost me $1100 roughly. Now... I
> already paid him $400 when I dropped the van off with him toward the
> total of all these costs. Mind you it's all been in cash as well. His
> rate is $60 an hour.
>
> Thanks for your thoughts,
> Robert
> Bloomingburg NY