question about mechanic cost

[flameisley]

I recently took my '88 vanagon to a VW specialist because of a minor leak from the transmission. The place is Volksmasters in miami, FL. Their quote is $600 for labor and $400 in parts for a total of $1000. This seems steep, but I'm not sure how big of a job this actually is. So my question is: is this a fair price? (below is an image of the leak)

[E1]

You might compare pricing by calling Sunshine Auto Garage in Sarasota, REALLY GOOD GUYS we'll use again if ever having problems anywhere near them!

Edit: Beyond, if the leak is really minor, I ask: Is a transmission rebuild in your near future? If not, not sure I'd personally spend a Grand compared to topping it off from time to time...
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[oceanair]

What have they been quoted for doing and replacing? Just looking at the leak doesn't explain pats and cost.
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[flameisley]

Is it necessary to go to a VW mechanic for this job? Or can I take it to a shop that does transmissions?

[flameisley]

[E1]

[0to60in6min]

to the OP... I would check the trans. oil level, top it up if it needs to and check back time to time... oil leak is ugly to look at but if it just a tiny bit amount it doesn't worth to replace the gasket for that price...you will save $1000.00 for your rebuild when it's time to do it.

[IdahoDoug]

I can't quite tell but is that an auto?

On the costs, there is precious little information for anyone here to comment on cost. When they say gaskets, this is a great price if they're pulling your trans, cleaning it, replacing all gaskets and rubber shifter boots, pulling the governor cover, pulling the pan and performing the filter/gasket service, pulling the axles, cleaning and repacking the CVs and putting new rubber boots on, pulling the side flanges and replacing the oil seals there, separating the diff and replacing the seals between trans/diff, using quality OEM parts, and providing a warranty.

See how that adds up? So if you have an estimate, I say post it and we'll provide input. If the job doesn't include much - we'll know that. But just verbally telling us they're "resealing" tell us little.
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[Wildthings]

I just paid ~$80 to have all the shaft seals for the transaxle along with the exterior gaskets delivered to my door, so their price for parts is quite high IMO. The labor sounds about right though.

How much is it leaking? I would certain try replacing the two pan gaskets myself before I paid anyone to pull the transaxle and do any work. Have you tried tightening the bolts that hold the two boxes of the transaxle together?

[flameisley]

The quote was pretty vague. He mentioned he was going to change the front seal, the gasket, and the bearings. He says it's a day and a half job. $600 for labor $400 in parts.

[flameisley]

[Paulbeard]

What he said:

[andk5591]

Havent messed with a Vanagon and not gonna, but assuming its Fuel injected and the engine needs dropped to pull the tranny. And then you are dealing with drive shaft CV joints which can sometimes be a bugger to get off. So, you have an hour or more before you can even get to the tranny repair.

Personally I feel a grand for all of that and fixing the leaks is pretty fair. But if you are not comfortable or don't trust the shop - then find someone else. But in general - don't be surprised if your final bill - no matter where you go - is not going to be higher than the estimate. There are always surprises. You have a 30 year old car.....

Example - have a 78 Super on the lift right now...Initially was just some brake work and a couple odds and ends....Ball park was around a grand....As of Friday, we were around $2800.....
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[vwjetboat]

4 bolts holding that on.. takes 30 minutes to remove the front of the trans.. if memory serves me right..

[Tom Powell]

$1000 will buy about 50 gallons of ATF

Aloha
tp

[andk5591]

[MarkWard]

Labor sounds on par for South Florida. If I were doing this job, if all went well, I would expect it to take a day to a day and a half.

Should you trust this to a conventional automatic repair shop? Combination differential automatics are more common than they were 30 years ago. So a competent automatic shop should be able to figure it out, but do you want to pay to have them figure it out?

Do you know the history of the transmission? I am surprised the shop is willing to just reseal it. They could end up being married to it after you pay and pick it up. $600 is not enough money for me to get married to a 30 year old automatic transaxle. I would recommend rebuilding the automatic while it was out if it were my job.

If they are willing to do the just an external reseal, they must be good at brooming customers down the road when something related/unlrelated to the repair does come back. I never got good at that.

A good cleaning with some degreaser and a pressure washer would be the first thing to do. There are some simple things that do leak, that are cheap and relatively easy to replace. Governor cover O ring is the easiest and they do weap fluid after time. Next would be the 2nd gear apply piston cover.

It does not take much fluid to make a mess. As suggested above, if you are not having to IV drip automatic fluid into the trans and it is not constantly dripping on the ground, you'd probably be fine driving it to that point that you do experience some shifting problems and then do the entire job.

Best of luck. mark
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[Wildthings]

Since you indicated that they are putting bearings in for that price I think the labor is on the low side. They do need to get into the small inner pinion seal to properly reseal the transmission but they can do that without replacing the bearings.

Note that the only time I personally have lost a bearing in a VW automatic transmission is when I had a reputable shop change the bearings just because they were going to be in there anyway. Bad mistake.