Questions and Answers
What's The Real Story Here?
Q. Dear Mr. Ciulla, I have a 1993 Subaru Legacy with about 187,000 miles on it. I have a ticking noise coming from the engine. The dealership is telling me that it is my valve lifters. The service department recommended that I do not have any repairs to the lifters because of the high mileage.
I informed the service manager that I plan on keeping my car for at least another five years or so. He says that if they do the repair job it would cause oil to burn in my car which in turn would require me to overhaul my engine. I asked the service manager to explain why this would happen, but he did not, I just received attitude and he said if I wanted it done it would cost me about $800.00 for the valve repair.
Is it true that if I have the valve lifters repaired it would cause me to burn oil which in turn would cause me to overhaul my engine and should it cost $800.00 for the valve work??
Thanks for your help.
KimA. With any high milage car you run the risk of disturbing something that could lead to another, and maybe more serious, problem. In this case I don't feel that is much of a concern. You aren't really going to do anything to affect the components that would cause an oil burning problem. Of course I would inform my customers there is a possibility so they can make a more informed decision.
As far as the cost of the job, I'll estimate it as if you came into my shop to have the work done.
The lifters list for about $22.87 each. Times 8 lifters, that comes to $182.96. Pair of valve cover gaskets, $27.90. 3.0 hours labor at $65.00 an hour, $195.00. Oil and filter change, $25.00. Figure about another $10.00 for cleaner and disposal fees. That would make the total about $436.00.
Additional Information provided courtesy of ALLDATA
