Fair estimate or rip off?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 366
Likes: 17
Fair estimate or rip off?
Recently took my 04 vette to a shop to get an oil leak fixed. Think it is rear main seal.
got the invoice and it is for replacing oil pan gasket (which they say is leaking as well), replacing factory Harmonic balancer with a superior aftermarket one (while they are down there)
and fixing rear main seal, valve cover gaskets and timing cover gasket.
oil change.
Total: $4800
Honest opinions. Still drives. 166k miles. Leak is annoying but not pouring out everywhere. Considering selling as is.
got the invoice and it is for replacing oil pan gasket (which they say is leaking as well), replacing factory Harmonic balancer with a superior aftermarket one (while they are down there)
and fixing rear main seal, valve cover gaskets and timing cover gasket.
oil change.
Total: $4800
Honest opinions. Still drives. 166k miles. Leak is annoying but not pouring out everywhere. Considering selling as is.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,398
Likes: 1,139
From: Dyer, IN
Recently took my 04 vette to a shop to get an oil leak fixed. Think it is rear main seal.
got the invoice and it is for replacing oil pan gasket (which they say is leaking as well), replacing factory Harmonic balancer with a superior aftermarket one (while they are down there)
and fixing rear main seal, valve cover gaskets and timing cover gasket.
oil change.
Total: $4800
Honest opinions. Still drives. 166k miles. Leak is annoying but not pouring out everywhere. Considering selling as is.
got the invoice and it is for replacing oil pan gasket (which they say is leaking as well), replacing factory Harmonic balancer with a superior aftermarket one (while they are down there)
and fixing rear main seal, valve cover gaskets and timing cover gasket.
oil change.
Total: $4800
Honest opinions. Still drives. 166k miles. Leak is annoying but not pouring out everywhere. Considering selling as is.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2022
Posts: 1,785
Likes: 2,033
From: In the woods
2024 C5of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Dumb question but did you check your oil pressure sender? They are famous for leaking. That said the entire drivetrain has to come out for a RMS repair which makes that quote realistic IMO.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 366
Likes: 17
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,398
Likes: 1,139
From: Dyer, IN
If the balancer is not wobbling, I would leave it alone. I would also want to know for certain where the oil is leaking from. Degrease, put dye in the oil, and check with a black light to find the origin.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 366
Likes: 17
In process of selling my c4 for around 12.5k but considering keeping that one since it has no such issues, half the mileage etc. Was only selling that one because I can get more for it as is and was gonna use proceeds to cover repairs on this and as down-payment for new family car
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 366
Likes: 17
I was told it has "multiple" leaks which is why they are wanting to replace all these things. At the same time before they even looked at it they discussed exactly the jobs that ended up being on the quote as if they had a hunch it were the case or (I hate to assume this) were going to go for this repair job regardless if necessary.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,398
Likes: 1,139
From: Dyer, IN
I was told it has "multiple" leaks which is why they are wanting to replace all these things. At the same time before they even looked at it they discussed exactly the jobs that ended up being on the quote as if they had a hunch it were the case or (I hate to assume this) were going to go for this repair job regardless if necessary.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 87,321
Likes: 1,586
From: Western NY
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 366
Likes: 17
it's at the shop now. I'll get it in a few days when I can. I was moreso concerned with if the quote was fair or not. I appreciate the advice though as it may still end up happening
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,398
Likes: 1,139
From: Dyer, IN
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 366
Likes: 17
not sure to be honest. The other mechanic said he was going to do full clean and dye to find it to be sure either way. Just asked for a quote of replacement of both rear main and pan gaskets and he said that would ne ~2400 for both. If it's just one then I'm even better off.
Likely have HB replaced while he is down there since saving so much. Is the timing gasket cover near these as well?
Likely have HB replaced while he is down there since saving so much. Is the timing gasket cover near these as well?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 366
Likes: 17
not to mention i was originally told it would be $2-300 more for that entire job including parts since there was so much overlap.
the rear main was almost 1700 alone the oil pan gasket and balancer eas around 1900. (Thats already 1200 more than new quote) The oil change was $200 using my own oil.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 764
Likes: 281
From: Middleton, Id
I don't know if it's a fair price or not nor how involved a job it is. But when you get a quote that's like a fourth the value of the car you have to really think it over. Not sure what I would do in your situation except get a few quotes just to keep everyone honest.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 87,321
Likes: 1,586
From: Western NY
I agree, and I'm not so sure that replacing the oil pan gasket requires removal of the balancer, so that might not be one of those "while I'm in there" sort of jobs. If you could R&R the balancer, with the rack in place, then yeah, go for it. But to R&R the balancer, you have to pull the rack, which then, after reassembly, pretty much requires a wheel alignment.