Anyone know how often valve clearances should be checked/adjusted and how long it typically takes?
Every 24,000km or 15,000 miles The basic procedure takes about 18 hours, but it depends on how many need adjusting, and now that the cars are getting old... peripheral jobs relating to access (injection unit needs to be moved etc) Also, replacing cam seals and the cam seal housing O rings should be added at the same time... so allow 24 hours to do a major service... plus repairs outside the service schedule.
Genuinly surprised you say it takes as long as that. I had mine checked last year and my cambelts changed + all other V Belts changed. Compression test done & a few other minor bits & pieces & the bill was around £1200 including VAT (sales tax of 17.5%). This was all done by QV London. If I remember correctly their stock price for checking valve clearances is about £400 with an extra £150 or so if you want the camshaft oil seals replaced. FWIW at 30K mile out of 32 valves only 3 of mine were slightly out of spec & they were only just out. I.
What does the labour content of the QV bill involve? They do offer competitive servicing... but it is a typical marketing strategy.... Yes, typically, from my experience on lots of these cars, the valves are usually good for a double stint... but you can't know until you know... They close up eventually... which means there is no noise to make diagnosis.
Ferrarifixer said: "Yes, typically, from my experience on lots of these cars, the valves are usually good for a double stint... but you can't know until you know..." Agreed.
The bill broke down as follows: Cambelt change (Inc cambelts & V Belts) : £349 Valve clearance job: £357 Change camshaft oil seals, replace cam cover gaskets inspect g'box oil level, brakes, drive shafts, adjust clutch & handbrake & carry out compression test: £250 2 Shims: £5.98 4 Camshaft oil seal : £35.96 4 Cam O Rings : £14.40 1 HT Lead clip : £3.00 1 litre of brake fluid supplied: £14.33 Total £1029.67 VAT £180.21 Paid £1209.88
