Rick I wasn't trying to offend anyone, and I don't believe in mistreating or
embarrassing any mechanic either. But the owner shouldn't be mistreated
either. I take offense when I see GMC owners quoted repair prices that are
way out of line, unless there is some underlying reason. That is why I asked
the question. But even at 8-10 hours how could one justify $1050 labor for
the job. Mechanics hourly Labor rate at $100-$130/hour. Not from me!
When I saw the words "flat rate" my blood pressure went up. Rick we both
know that any competent mechanic can beat the flat rate shop hours
blindfolded. The manual was made to enrich the dealership not the
customer.It was put out by the factories to make it easier for the
dealership to make money without offending the customer. The dealership had
only to point to the book and tell the customer that the factory has
determined the rates. Phooey! The mechanics that work for dealerships are
only paid a fraction of the posted hourly rate, normally 20-25%. And why we
are on the subject, the posted hourly rates should not be paid by any
customer that is paying for the repairs out of his own pocket versus repairs
paid for by insurance. Why? Because the insurance companies will normally
pay only 80% of the posted hourly rates. The dealership therefore jacks up
the price to compensate for it. Nice huh! How many customers know that?
With nothing more sophisticated the factory manual, a gasket set, scraper,
screwdriver, air tools and a torque wrench changing the heads is an easy
weekend job for the average back yard mechanic. I can tell you this,
changing them on the GMC motorhome is far easier than changing them on the
olds Toronados I have had! I have done many of those. the GMC motorhome is
beautiful to work on. So far for me I am glad it is since that is all I have
done is work on it.
Finally I would like to see a list of common repairs to the GMc motorhome on
this BB and the prices that have been paid in various parts of the country.
I would also like to see a list of common repairs for instance cylinder head
reconditioning, what parts should be used and the costs. Sure would be nice
for those that travel a lot and breakdown,or in my case travel a little and
breakdown a lot.
Peace!
>
>> if the $1050 was for the labor to install the heads I think it
>> is way to much. Any mechanic should be able to do it in under 4 hours.
>
>Tom,
> I don't want to sound too critical, but this is the sort of thing I
>referred to in a previous post about abusing your mechanic. I really don't
>know what the "flat rate" time (established by trained, practiced, mechanics
>on NEW unrusted vehicles in a fully equipped shop with ALL factory tools...)
>to replace cylinder heads is, but I'll bet it's more than 4 hours! I do know
>that if anyone entered my shop and suggested I change cylinder heads (even for
>fully preassembled ones) on a GMC motorhome, charging for only 4 hours work, I
>would politely escort him back out the door!
> Does anyone have access to a GM flat rate book to elucidate this matter?
>My experience and my surviving flat rate books are all for foreign cars. BTW,
>a typical conventional 4 cylinder foreign car (Volvo) allowed 7 hours to
>replace one (1) cylinder head. I sure wouldn't do it for less than 8 - 10
>hours on a GMC, extra charge for rusted/siezed/broken studs, bolts, etc.
> Bargain hunting is fine, but if you find someone competent and willing to
>fix your GMC, pay them a decent wage for their efforts. Again, I don't mean
>to be critical, but this is a subject close to my heart (and wallet), I've
>been there. This is one reason I no longer repair cars for a living. This is
>one reason it is so difficult to find anyone competent and conscientious to
>repair your car or motorhome.
> Just my .02.
>
>Rick Staples
>'75 Eleganza, Louisville, CO
>
>
>
>
Tom & Marg Warner
Vernon Center NY
1976 palmbeach
embarrassing any mechanic either. But the owner shouldn't be mistreated
either. I take offense when I see GMC owners quoted repair prices that are
way out of line, unless there is some underlying reason. That is why I asked
the question. But even at 8-10 hours how could one justify $1050 labor for
the job. Mechanics hourly Labor rate at $100-$130/hour. Not from me!
When I saw the words "flat rate" my blood pressure went up. Rick we both
know that any competent mechanic can beat the flat rate shop hours
blindfolded. The manual was made to enrich the dealership not the
customer.It was put out by the factories to make it easier for the
dealership to make money without offending the customer. The dealership had
only to point to the book and tell the customer that the factory has
determined the rates. Phooey! The mechanics that work for dealerships are
only paid a fraction of the posted hourly rate, normally 20-25%. And why we
are on the subject, the posted hourly rates should not be paid by any
customer that is paying for the repairs out of his own pocket versus repairs
paid for by insurance. Why? Because the insurance companies will normally
pay only 80% of the posted hourly rates. The dealership therefore jacks up
the price to compensate for it. Nice huh! How many customers know that?
With nothing more sophisticated the factory manual, a gasket set, scraper,
screwdriver, air tools and a torque wrench changing the heads is an easy
weekend job for the average back yard mechanic. I can tell you this,
changing them on the GMC motorhome is far easier than changing them on the
olds Toronados I have had! I have done many of those. the GMC motorhome is
beautiful to work on. So far for me I am glad it is since that is all I have
done is work on it.
Finally I would like to see a list of common repairs to the GMc motorhome on
this BB and the prices that have been paid in various parts of the country.
I would also like to see a list of common repairs for instance cylinder head
reconditioning, what parts should be used and the costs. Sure would be nice
for those that travel a lot and breakdown,or in my case travel a little and
breakdown a lot.
Peace!
>
>> if the $1050 was for the labor to install the heads I think it
>> is way to much. Any mechanic should be able to do it in under 4 hours.
>
>Tom,
> I don't want to sound too critical, but this is the sort of thing I
>referred to in a previous post about abusing your mechanic. I really don't
>know what the "flat rate" time (established by trained, practiced, mechanics
>on NEW unrusted vehicles in a fully equipped shop with ALL factory tools...)
>to replace cylinder heads is, but I'll bet it's more than 4 hours! I do know
>that if anyone entered my shop and suggested I change cylinder heads (even for
>fully preassembled ones) on a GMC motorhome, charging for only 4 hours work, I
>would politely escort him back out the door!
> Does anyone have access to a GM flat rate book to elucidate this matter?
>My experience and my surviving flat rate books are all for foreign cars. BTW,
>a typical conventional 4 cylinder foreign car (Volvo) allowed 7 hours to
>replace one (1) cylinder head. I sure wouldn't do it for less than 8 - 10
>hours on a GMC, extra charge for rusted/siezed/broken studs, bolts, etc.
> Bargain hunting is fine, but if you find someone competent and willing to
>fix your GMC, pay them a decent wage for their efforts. Again, I don't mean
>to be critical, but this is a subject close to my heart (and wallet), I've
>been there. This is one reason I no longer repair cars for a living. This is
>one reason it is so difficult to find anyone competent and conscientious to
>repair your car or motorhome.
> Just my .02.
>
>Rick Staples
>'75 Eleganza, Louisville, CO
>
>
>
>
Tom & Marg Warner
Vernon Center NY
1976 palmbeach
