TheSamba.com :: View topic

Wed Jul 02, 2008 3:47 pm

So I want a professional to tune up my engine until I am more knowledgable about my car. Does anyone know how much that would cost ? Or maybe a price range? Thank you :)

Wed Jul 02, 2008 3:51 pm

What do you consider to be included?

New cap/rotor/points/condenser
new wires
new fuel filter
adjust timing
adjust carb(s)
adjust valves
oil change

Wed Jul 02, 2008 3:56 pm

Im guessing everything you mentioned except the oil change cause I can do that haha. I just bought this beetle and the previous owner said it needed a tune up so Im not all sure what needs replaced. Thank you :)

Wed Jul 02, 2008 4:12 pm

The oil change is probably the easiest part. My full tune-ups usually cost about $150? I think that's about right. It's all labor because the parts for the most part are cheap.

$1 fuel filter
$10 labor to install
That sort of thing. :lol:

Wed Jul 02, 2008 4:19 pm

Figure cap/rotor/points/condenser/plugs/wires/fuel filter/valve cover gaskets are about $75.

Figure an hour and a half to two hours to do all the labor. (assuming you don't have dual carbs)

What's the labor rate in your area?

Wed Jul 02, 2008 4:23 pm

Im thinking 30 to 45 dollars per hour if thats what you mean haha

Wed Jul 02, 2008 4:24 pm

Where I live it's $89/hour

Wed Jul 02, 2008 4:25 pm

vdubcutie wrote: Im thinking 30 to 45 dollars per hour if thats what you mean haha

I don't think so. Double that.

jim

Wed Jul 02, 2008 4:26 pm

It's $65 in SoCal.

Wed Jul 02, 2008 4:35 pm

Our town population is like 2000. I live in the middle of Pa. Its cheap around here . If I went to a dealership it would be more costly, closer to 100 bucks.

Wed Jul 02, 2008 6:09 pm

It's not hard to do the tune up work yourself if you have the time and a good book or two like the bently. It's the only way to make sure everything is the way it should be as mechs can do some pretty shading things. By the way I charge $50 an hour where I live. Others mechs are around $65 in think.

-Winslow Haselwood
SAW Industries

Wed Jul 02, 2008 6:12 pm

Glenn wrote: What do you consider to be included?

New cap/rotor/points/condenser
new wires
new fuel filter
adjust timing
adjust carb(s)
adjust valves
oil change
I would add spark plugs to that list, and another $8 to $10.

Wed Jul 02, 2008 7:54 pm

And air filter. Greasing the front end would be good too.

-Winslow Haselwood
SAW Industries

Thu Jul 03, 2008 2:11 pm

Thank you guys. 8)

Thu Jul 03, 2008 2:23 pm

Are you taking it to an aircooled VW mechanic? They are hard to find but these cars are old and need people who are familiar with them. That's why I like doing as much of the work as possible myself, even as lousy of a mechanic as I am.

Thu Jul 03, 2008 9:01 pm

vdubcutie wrote: Our town population is like 2000. I live in the middle of Pa. Its cheap around here . If I went to a dealership it would be more costly, closer to 100 bucks.

Don't look at cost of labor, if you don't have someone that is qualified in ACVW, don't go there even if they are cheap. We are talking old school that most hacks I mean mechanics can't do. Buy a book either Bentleys or John Muir and bond with your bug: check back with the Samba guys as there are some that know everything and there is a thread that covers evferything you will think of.

Thu Jul 03, 2008 9:08 pm

Slugged wrote:

Buy a book either Bentleys or John Muir and bond with your bug: check back with the Samba guys as there are some that know everything and there is a thread that covers evferything you will think of.
X2. If you are going to own an aircooled vw, you need to be able to work on it or know someone who can. Even the "aircooled specialists" around here are hacks. They are also few and far between these days...

Anything you need to know can be found on here...

Thu Jul 03, 2008 9:49 pm

Why are you guys including a new cap, rotor and wires? On all the other cars I've had those parts would last for years. Even with cars with conventional ignitions a tune up was points, plugs and condenser.

Fri Jul 04, 2008 4:28 am

JeffDeWitt wrote: Why are you guys including a new cap, rotor and wires? On all the other cars I've had those parts would last for years. Even with cars with conventional ignitions a tune up was points, plugs and condenser.
Because we don't know the brand and condition of the ones he has.

There's a huge difference between using Bosch and aftermarket caps and rotors.

Fri Jul 04, 2008 6:49 am

Thanks, that makes sense.

I'm going to be doing the first tune up on my Bug shortly, it's running fine right now but it's about due, and I'm probably going to replace the cap, rotor, wires (and fan belt) so all that stuff is fresh and I know exactly what I've got.