Well,

I found a local import shop that will machine the heads, replace both head gaskets, valve guides, valve seals, timing belt, harmonic pulley, water pump, all oil seals and (if they can) service the lower plenum butterfly while their in there ----for $1800 !!!!! This is good news considering the 4 other shops INCLUDING THE STEALER, wanted $2800-$3000 just to do the valve seals!! I think I'm gonna go for it. I'll keep the board posted...BYE BYE BLUE SMOKE!!!!

-Aaron
1995 SR V6 3.5L DOHC

Good luck. I find that when a customer is shopping price, and is just looking for the best deal, they usually end up with just what they are looking for, the bast price, with no thought of the quality of the work, or the quality of the people, and the "other" things that can crop up. Anyone can "low-ball" you on an estimate, and once the engine is apart...then what do you do.
If it all works out..then great. But if it turns around and bites you in the <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/butwiggle.gif" alt="" /> well, you had it comming.
Kary

That is a great price if it comes with quality work.

One way to be safe is to ask for references, and to look around the shop. Happy customers and a clean organized shop are normally a good sign you found a good mechanic.

hmmm.
I agree with the 'quality' comments above, but having recently done this on a gen 1, question the high estimates. Oops- you have 24 valves, I have 12. On second thought, 2800 doesn't seem as outrageous...

t

I feel pretty good about the shop. He was the ONLY person in town that even knew about the Mits. blue smoke valve seal problem. They service ALL import makes. Assured me of all Mits. dealer OE parts being used. I had a CV boot replacement and a few other thing done there a while ago on my Audi. Very quick turnaround and very reasonable. My 'regular audi guy' commented later on the quality of the repairs that this shop had performed when he saw my car, so, I am going into this optimisticaly :-)

-Aaron

I agree with researching shops. Currently work that I farm out for midsize vehicles(I own alot of vehicles) I take to a place that priety much <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/butwiggle.gif" alt="" /> me over. 85.00 diagnostic they charge even if they do the work(I now tell them whats wrong 95% of the time to avoid that), they charge stealer rates, mark up parts 40% or more <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/scared.gif" alt="" /> I dont mind markup and profit, but jeesh. BUT, they do it right every time and I never break down again or have to take it back, and many times thats what I need, and it sometimes pays in the long run. ALthough, I have sued and have a current lawsuit against a shop in town,(They get a default judgement next week if I dont hear from them) those lawsuits were both against a high end, respectable appearing shop and a low end shade tree type. My point is any can be bad. I WILL pay for quality and to get it done right, but I have had similar luck with more cost effective shops as well. One trick may be to call the BBB and see how many complaints they have.(dont disreguard them for one complaint) I really want to open a shop one day, and do it right. Getting the right technicians of course is the first challenge. I was inspired by a shop in Trukee(fourwheeling capital of California), as to the level a shop can achieve!