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74 Ghia
Samba Member
Joined: September 14, 2006
Posts: 34
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 Posted: Wed Jun 04, 2025 11:49 am Post subject: Engine Valve Adjustment |
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Hi,
74 Ghia, stock 1600. My regular mechanic just retired, had been going to him for over 30 years. Just went to a new guy for an oil change and a valve adjustment. Quoted me $534 for a valve adjustment. As I was paying $50-$75, I declined. Any idea of the $ range I should expect? |
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Glenn 
Mr. 010
Joined: December 25, 2001
Posts: 79415
Location: Sneaking up behind you
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| Posted: Wed Jun 04, 2025 12:18 pm Post subject: Re: Engine Valve Adjustment |
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No more than an hour, assuming they're really slow.
_________________
Glenn
74 Beetle Specs | 74 Beetle Restoration | 2180cc Engine
"You may not get what you pay for, but you always pay for what you get"
Member #1009
#BlueSquare
עַם יִשְׂרָאֵל חַי |
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rg65
Samba Member
Joined: January 24, 2025
Posts: 5
Location: New Mexico
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| Posted: Wed Jun 04, 2025 12:22 pm Post subject: Re: Engine Valve Adjustment |
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| Don't know what the book rate is to set valves but would think 1 to 1.5 hours times the labor rate and parts (gasket set) would be a close estimate. $500.00 seems high. |
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Era Vulgaris
Samba Member
Joined: August 22, 2012
Posts: 1913
Location: Raleigh, NC
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| Posted: Wed Jun 04, 2025 2:50 pm Post subject: Re: Engine Valve Adjustment |
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| rg65 wrote: |
| 1 to 1.5 hours |
I could do it in 90 minutes if I drink a beer between each cylinder. Seriously though, it's not a difficult job and shouldn't take more then 20-30 minutes once you've done it a couple times and have the hang of it. $500+ is highway robbery.
_________________
Currently own:
66 Karmann Ghia, L390 Gulf Blue, under construction, here: www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=760505&highlight=
99 Mazda MX-5 10AE, Sapphire Blue Mica, 6 speed, LSD
Previously owned:
98 Porsche Boxster, silver, 2.5L -- 67 Karmann Ghia, Black, 1500sp -- 98 BMW Z3, Atlanta Blue Metallic, 2.8L I6 -- 75 Porsche 914, Laguna Blue, 2270cc -- 72 Porsche 914, Signal Orange, 1.7 FI -- 74 Karmann Ghia, Black, 1600dp -- 74 Triumph TR6 with O.D., sapphire blue |
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runamoc
Samba Member
Joined: June 19, 2006
Posts: 6086
Location: 37.5N 77.1W
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| Posted: Wed Jun 04, 2025 6:28 pm Post subject: Re: Engine Valve Adjustment |
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| Quote: |
| Quoted me $534 for a valve adjustment |
He did that to scare you away...it worked 
_________________
Daily driver: '69 Baja owned 45 yrs - Plan B: '72 Ghia
Yard Art: 2 Sandrails
Outback: '69 Ghia - '68,'69,'70,'72 Beetle - '84 Scirocco, GTI - Pair of '02 Golfs- '80 Rabbit Diesel
VW Wiring = It's just wires |
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Glenn
Mr. 010
Joined: December 25, 2001
Posts: 79415
Location: Sneaking up behind you
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| Posted: Wed Jun 04, 2025 6:57 pm Post subject: Re: Engine Valve Adjustment |
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| runamoc wrote: |
| Quote: |
| Quoted me $534 for a valve adjustment |
He did that to scare you away...it worked |
I like this.
_________________
Glenn
74 Beetle Specs | 74 Beetle Restoration | 2180cc Engine
"You may not get what you pay for, but you always pay for what you get"
Member #1009
#BlueSquare
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Rome
Samba Member
Joined: June 02, 2004
Posts: 10509
Location: Pearl River, NY
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| Posted: Mon Jun 09, 2025 3:47 pm Post subject: Re: Engine Valve Adjustment |
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Valve lash needs to be done with the engine "stone cold", meaning probably leaving it overnight if you drive it to the shop so that the work is done in the morning with the car pushed into the shop. There should not be any cost involved to leave the car, since the mechanic is not actually working on it/spending time on it while its parked.
I agree that a practiced aircooled VW mechanic should EASILY do the actual adjustment work in 1/2 hr. Add 15 minutes to lift up and lower the car,, clean off spilled oil from the valve covers off the heater boxes, remove the prior gaskets from the valve covers and install new ones...
Did the new mechanic imply but not specifically mention doing some related work at same time while the car is in the air, such as replace the trans fluid, lube the front beam, check the rear brakes' adjustment and handbrake adjustment, check functionality of the heater cables, maybe even bleed the brakes? That $500+ is exceptionally high. |
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rcooled
Samba Member
Joined: September 20, 2008
Posts: 2748
Location: Santa Cruz, CA
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| Posted: Tue Jun 10, 2025 11:46 am Post subject: Re: Engine Valve Adjustment |
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| 74 Ghia wrote: |
| Quoted me $534 for a valve adjustment. |
Find a new mechanic...
_________________
'63 Ragtop (current)
'65 Ghia coupe (totaled)
'67 Ghia convertible (current)
'69.5 Ghia convertible and
'62, '63, '65, '69 Bugs (all long gone) |
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heimlich
VWNOS.com
Joined: November 20, 2016
Posts: 7461
Location: Houston, Texas
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| Posted: Tue Jun 10, 2025 4:11 pm Post subject: Re: Engine Valve Adjustment |
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Where are you located?
_________________
www.vwnos.com [email protected]
Classic Brands. Classic Quality.
Not all parts are made the same. NOS OE/OEM parts made mainly in West Germany, Early Germany, and Early Brazil are where VW produced the best quality parts and best fitting products.
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74 Ghia
Samba Member
Joined: September 14, 2006
Posts: 34
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| Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2025 6:50 am Post subject: Re: Engine Valve Adjustment |
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| I am located in Southeastern Wisconsin. |
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heimlich
VWNOS.com
Joined: November 20, 2016
Posts: 7461
Location: Houston, Texas
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| Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2025 7:22 am Post subject: Re: Engine Valve Adjustment |
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| 74 Ghia wrote: |
| I am located in Southeastern Wisconsin. |
There's lots of people there with VWs. Maybe you could post a thread asking for recommendations for a new mechanic.
I have customers there. If you send me an email I can ask them as well.
_________________
www.vwnos.com [email protected]
Classic Brands. Classic Quality.
Not all parts are made the same. NOS OE/OEM parts made mainly in West Germany, Early Germany, and Early Brazil are where VW produced the best quality parts and best fitting products.
5% Off your order with coupon code: 5%OFF
Restored Distributors Available (<--Click here) |
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paul_round
Samba Member
Joined: October 17, 2014
Posts: 518
Location: UK
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| Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2025 9:09 am Post subject: Re: Engine Valve Adjustment |
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| Why not do it yourself, It's super easy. |
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Glenn
Mr. 010
Joined: December 25, 2001
Posts: 79415
Location: Sneaking up behind you
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| Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2025 9:23 am Post subject: Re: Engine Valve Adjustment |
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| paul_round wrote: |
| Why not do it yourself, It's super easy. |
^^^^^^^^^
This
_________________
Glenn
74 Beetle Specs | 74 Beetle Restoration | 2180cc Engine
"You may not get what you pay for, but you always pay for what you get"
Member #1009
#BlueSquare
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wagen19
Samba Member
Joined: November 16, 2007
Posts: 648
Location: germany
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| Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2025 11:32 pm Post subject: Re: Engine Valve Adjustment |
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| Glenn wrote: |
| paul_round wrote: |
| Why not do it yourself, It's super easy. |
^^^^^^^^^
This |
It seems, he has not done a valve adjustment since owning the car.
It sounds like he could benefit from a Mentor.
Found the following text here on Samba:
If you do not already have a copy, Buy an Idiot's Guide. It will put you in the right mindset to be one with your car.
eg:
https://www.amazon.ca/Keep-Volkswagen-Alive-Step-S...d_source=1 |
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runamoc
Samba Member
Joined: June 19, 2006
Posts: 6086
Location: 37.5N 77.1W
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| Posted: Thu Jun 12, 2025 6:23 am Post subject: Re: Engine Valve Adjustment |
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| paul_round wrote: |
| Why not do it yourself, It's super easy. |
'Garage' of YouTube has 2 'How to' videos...
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=adjusting+volkswagen+valves
_________________
Daily driver: '69 Baja owned 45 yrs - Plan B: '72 Ghia
Yard Art: 2 Sandrails
Outback: '69 Ghia - '68,'69,'70,'72 Beetle - '84 Scirocco, GTI - Pair of '02 Golfs- '80 Rabbit Diesel
VW Wiring = It's just wires |
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wagen19
Samba Member
Joined: November 16, 2007
Posts: 648
Location: germany
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| Posted: Thu Jun 12, 2025 2:50 pm Post subject: Re: Engine Valve Adjustment |
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Imo it seems, the car possibly rather needs not only a valve adjustment, but rather more a "full service" tune up according to original VW maintenance scedule.
For that kind of service, more time as only one hour is needed and also some material.
Is there a book of documented services for that car?
(it seems, the owner never has really worked on his car, but I can be wrong)
When, how many miles or years ago was the last prophylaxis "full inspection" and how old are all the fluids, tires, spark plugs, brake linings etc. now?
I can´t believe, a really complete "full service", properly done, incl. all material could be done for only around 75 $ nowadays in "Good Old USA".
It´s not about cleaning and looking only.
Suggest to have a look on original VW service plans and ask at official VW dealer and any other mechanic, what a service only (without any repairs) would cost and compare. |
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