Popclutch

OK, after checking EVERYTHING I could and all the recommendations from fellow forum members to no avail, I resigned myself to take the car to the local dealer. Sure enough as previously suggested by a forum member, they found a broken valve spring! Everything else is fine including the valve and seals, just a broken spring. This is what blew me away.... The car has just over 37,000 miles on it, Hmmmm... only about 1,000 miles out of what would have been in warranty and the dealership wants a mere $800.00 to do the job. Is it just me or does that seem to be outrageous for the installation of ONE valve spring??
Opinions please, and THANKS again to all who have tried to help with my past posts regarding this issue.
Pop.

MX621

yea that sounds crazy!! dealers charge around 100$ per/hr labor, one spring cant be over 12 bucks, hell the whole set of 16 valve springs can be had for 60$ shipped. i would say they are way over charging. what is the build date of your Z.

Romulus

Installing a valvespring is *not* difficult. I wouldn't hesitate whatsoever to buy a valvespring compressor and do it myself (and I don't like getting my hands dirty, honestly).

hotwheels57

Buy or rent the tools/parts and DIY if you feel confident enough to do it.

Or maybe find someone in your area (Corvette club) who would be willing to help you.

Get recommendations for local independent FL Corvette shops and see what their estimate is...

bartsky

I would not just replace one, I would replace them all as they are prone to failure.

COVERT GUY

+1

Paul 75 L82

I would also look at the Hot Rod shops. Those guys do that type of work all the time. You might think about an upgrade on the rockers also. I don't know all the HP bumps everybody talks about but you can go to a higher ratio and it's like increasing the lift of the cam, and any increase there feels good in the seat of the pants.

steveovette

Ok what do you think would be fair for me as a tech to replace your valve spring? Keep in mind I have 20 years experience/training and at least $40,000 in tools. Just curious as what all you guys think I should make on this kind of work.

Popclutch

Ok, good point. But heres the deal. I'm a retired aircraft mechanic with probably just as much invested in tools as you and have a total of 26 years working on aircraft. The fact you have invested $40,000 in tools was on your own volition to make a living. Thats the cost of doing business and having the right tool for the right job. Trying to make a living off of one JOB THOUGH?? Come on. Your tools are an investment so that you CAN make a living for 20 years or more.Replacing a valve spring isn't exactly what I call rocket science. Theres alot to be said for 20 years experience and putting a price on that is difficult at best. Lets put it this way, I having the car returned to my house and I will pay the $300 I have already been charged for the "diagnostics" (which I believe it was worth to KNOW what is wrong) but I'm not going to fund someones college savings over one valve spring.I would like to know what the GM flat rate book says this job should cost. For $800 bucks ALL the springs should be replaced and maybe a dinner at a really nice restaurant. Times are tough for pretty much everyone I know, but I just found this price to be ridiculous.
My car,My problem, My opinion.
.

Closer_2001

Problem here...the dealer is keeping $725 of the bill at least. What would one valve spring pay?? 2 flag hours?

zeevette

REALLY! Don't just do one spring. There was a period of bad valve springs, and failure can cause catastrophic engine damage. It's a fairly easy DIY.

slvrzo6

Gosh! If you lived closer to me, I do them all for you on a Saturday. If you mowed my lawn on my riding mower and bought me a six pack.

1320IN9

i just did all 16 springs in my car and took no more than 4 hours by doing the rope in the cyl method. one spring should take you no longer than 30min try to find a forum member to help you out if they are local. if i was local i would do it for free

KCvetteowner

You would be an idiot not to replace all the valve springs. The cost of dropping a valve and taking out a piston and perhaps the head and worse yet a cylinder would make for a very bad day.

With that said, a set of valve springs and labor to install should cost about $450-$500. If a mechanic has $42k in tools he probably has a better spring compressor than the pos tool I bought from the local auto parts store so he could probably do it in half the time.

Atok

Z06supercharged

I would change every other spring...it would take half the time and half the cost of doing all of them and you have a 50/50 chance of squeaking by....

Oh yea while your in there change 4 of the spark plugs as well....

NOT

Z06_BluByU

Brad,
did the car come with any modifications?!?! different intake, air cleaner, tune or anything?!? or is it bone stock? Also if you look at the sticker in the door jamb of the drivers door it will tell you the manufacture date.. if you could post that up it be helpful also!! Thanks!

CHJ In Virginia

I just did my valve springs on the 2003 Z06. Springs cost $9.21 each at the dealership = with taxes $160.00. Crane Cams dual spring compressor tool and air fitting for spark plug $150.00. 4 hours of my novice time ( I'm a good mechanic, but first time on this job ever) Them charging you $800 for the job on one spring is ridiculous. Figuring 3 hours time the job should cost $500 max for diagnosis, labor and parts.

sothpaw2

Think I paid $300-400 in labor locally for all 16 springs to be installed; I provided the parts at my (additional) cost.

danziger

You could take it to Mike Norris (Norris Motorsports?). He is local to you and does some nice work...