I am looking at replacing my AP1 valve retainers. Replacement of the intake side only. How does 500$ sound for labor only in a reputable shop?

 

The job to do all 16 retainers calls for 7.3 hours, figure take off an hour or so to do just 8

 

doesn't sound too bad

 

Rip off. Someone that knows what they are doing can do it within 2 hours. Do a little DIY research on this forum before paying that. If you’re not mechanically inclined at all, then I guess you’re subject to spending lots of money.

 

A guy doing it on the side might do it for 2 hours of labor but most good shops charge by the book.

 

if they follow the service manual, they will likely pull the head...not necessary. buy the tools and DIY. Parts are, what, around $50, valve tool around $75. that's lots of dollars left in your pocket.

darcy

 

Pulling the head is a lot of added work/money and risk that isnt necessary.

 

The book doesn't say to pull the head.. That's a 10+ hr job

 

I do it 1.5 hrs for 475, and that includes parts and custom valve adjustment.

DO NOT let them take the cylinder head off the car. The book is wrong, and if they tell you that they need to pull the cyl head then go elsewhere.

 

I also looked up the time in Shop-key. the closest thing was replace valve seals, that calls for 5.5hrs and includes valve adjustment. The labor rate at my shop is $90, that comes to $495, shop-key shows both the "honda" way and their recommended way. Honda says pull the head, shop-key says dont pull the head.