Date:         Tue, 13 Apr 1999 09:36:00 -0400
Reply-To:     "David..M" <dmc@CYBURBAN.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         "David..M" <dmc@CYBURBAN.COM>
Organization: .
Subject:      Re: AVP and repair costs nationwide (Longish)
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

Edward Berlett wrote:
>
> I have purchased and had installed an 2.1l engine in my 87 GL from AVP.
> Mostly from the strength of their recommendation on this list.
> Unfortunately, after 3000 miles the engine developed a head gasket leak.
> AVP claims that there were a batch of bad head gaskets from the
> manufacturer and that the warrenttee work will be paid by the gasket
> manufacturer.
>
> This is all well and good. The dicrepency comes from the amount that they
> are willing to pay for the replacement.  They would only pay for
> replacement with the engine in place.  They only allow 5 hours for the job
> at $36 an hour (which they claim is the national average), and they supply
> the parts.  I don't see how any professional shop can pay a mechanic and
> have the overhead for that little.  The mechanic who did the work took 7
> hours and charges somewhere around $44 an hour.
>
Where do you live?
Here in New York, even gas stations charge $65 per hour. The dealers?
forget it......