Brown Water

Intake manifold seal leak - $725
Valve cover gaskets - $854

This is with the engine already out of the car. 2008 A8L, 134k miles. Curious if that's reasonable, and I'm guessing it's the smart thing to do if I intend to keep the car for any length of time.

PaulW

$854 for valve cover gaskets with the engine is out of the car? I have not changed them myself, but that seems like highway robbery to me. Or should I say basically normal for the dealers in the Chicagoland area. They seem to be crooks.

Tstealth32

Valve covers- Even with the engine in the car, it's pretty straight forward. The drivers side comes out with ease, the passenger side needs a low profile wrench to get some of the rear ones out. BUT, with it out, it should only take them 30 minutes a side.

Manifold gasket- Same thing, maybe even shorter with the engine out. I'd say 30 minutes for the entire thing. It's 8 bolts on top, and the manifold comes off. Wipe out the residue, put the new gasket in, and put the manifold back on.

This whole thing should only cost $500 for everything. But it's a dealership. Try to negotiate.

Jack88

Agreed, sounds absurd. Those are the dealer prices for doing it with the engine in the car. I had an Indy replace valve cover gaskets a couple years ago, and it cost me $100 in parts and they charged an hour labor.