Rivets or other mechanic's

hitmanharleyk

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How much should I expect for the repair on my kawasaki fh531v? They are replacing the head for the stripped out spark plug and looking at the carb, it was leaking gas when I took it in.

I know you can't tell me for sure, just looking for a ballpark estimate. They did say 2 hours of labor at $56 each.

Thanks,
Harley K
 

Rivets

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Cylinder head prices range from $125-$185 depending on where you get it and which cylinder it is. Those are aftermarket prices, don't know dealer prices, probably a little higher. Two hours labor sounds inline, maybe a little low if they have to fully remove hoods, exhaust and intake manifolds, etc. With new gaskets, head, valve work, and carb work, I would have quoted it between $350-$450, but remember I have not seen it. After I torn it down I would have at least reconditioned the valves, if not replaced them. This could push the price up to $500. My labor rate is $70/hr. for Kaws. Just my opinion, which according to some on this forum is not worth much, because he is a professional and I'm not.
 

hitmanharleyk

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Cylinder head prices range from $125-$185 depending on where you get it and which cylinder it is. Those are aftermarket prices, don't know dealer prices, probably a little higher. Two hours labor sounds inline, maybe a little low if they have to fully remove hoods, exhaust and intake manifolds, etc. With new gaskets, head, valve work, and carb work, I would have quoted it between $350-$450, but remember I have not seen it. After I torn it down I would have at least reconditioned the valves, if not replaced them. This could push the price up to $500. My labor rate is $70/hr. for Kaws. Just my opinion, which according to some on this forum is not worth much, because he is a professional and I'm not.

He originally said around $300, but that was without opening it up. I should know friday the final price.
He said the head would be around $100-$125.
 

Rivets

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That's a lot cheap than I found. Good luck, let me know if he does the valves.
 

reynoldston

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The last striped out out plug job I did I replaced the head with a used head and the bill was $350. Also as I recall it took a lot longer then two hours. Maybe if everthing was just right in a shop that you didn't have to look up and chase after your own parts, work with air tools, and nothing gos wrong you could do the job in two hours. I hope you lots of luck on the two hours. Myself it takes me more then two hours for a lawn mower service. ( new filters, change oil, sharpen the blades, and genral check over.
 

hitmanharleyk

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This is a pretty decent size shop. I think he has 5 full time mechanics and a couple extra he can call if he needs them, a couple of older guys. They also have 3 folks working parts.

I've never been in there that I wasn't behind 5 or 6 people minimum in line.
 

reynoldston

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This is a pretty decent size shop. I think he has 5 full time mechanics and a couple extra he can call if he needs them, a couple of older guys. They also have 3 folks working parts.

I've never been in there that I wasn't behind 5 or 6 people minimum in line.


Been there and did that, worked in a large shop for over 25 years that we got payed by the job. To make money it was all about how fast you could do the job. I'm not new to large shops. We called it flat rate pay. If they are installing a new head + carburetor work for 120 dollars go for it its a good price and a lot cheaper then then any shop around here will do it. The last large shop I worked for which was around five years ago their hourly rate was 65 dollars.
 

hitmanharleyk

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Been there and did that, worked in a large shop for over 25 years that we got payed by the job. To make money it was all about how fast you could do the job. I'm not new to large shops. We called it flat rate pay. If they are installing a new head + carburetor work for 120 dollars go for it its a good price and a lot cheaper then then any shop around here will do it. The last large shop I worked for which was around five years ago their hourly rate was 65 dollars.

I figure when it is all said and done it will be $350 plus
 

hitmanharleyk

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Spoke with the shop this morning and they are extremely backed up just starting on my mower this morning after having it since last Wednesday. The owner did give me good news, he said the final bill would be between $250 and $280.
 

Rivets

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Please let us know what the all did. Would like to know if they did anything with the valves.
 
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