A/C and Valve Cover Gasket Labor Costs ??

I need a couple items repaired on my 198 928S4.
1. A/C compressor and dryer - replace compressor and dyrer and recharge system
Compressor - $477
Dryer - $200 (seem way way high)
Labor - $500

2. Valve cover gasket replacement
Gasket - $426
Labor - $400
Does anyone have an idea of reasonable labor/parts charges for the above?
Am I getting ripped off or are these charges reasonable? The quote is from a small shop that specializes in porsche/foreign repairs.
Thank you!
Darrell

Hello Darrell,

Most higher-end shops have labor rates of $100/hr or more. So $400 & $500 labor quotes indicate somewhere between 3 - 5 hours which are in line for the labor related to these jobs. Many shops mark up parts prices 30% or more above what they pay for them as part of their business model. Therefore you can compare parts prices with costs that you would pay for them, but that price is only meaningful if you install the parts yourself. Some shops may charge a lower hourly labor rate, but mark up parts more, others the opposite. It is the cost of the entire job that you need to compare with other shops.

Just as important as the price is the skill and background of the shop. You get what you pay for ... we want the job to be done right, using high quality parts that will last, so finding a shop that does everything right the first time is as important (more?) that the cost of the job. Have they worked on 928s in the past, have they done the job before? You don't want to be paying them to learn. What is their warranty?

With the Porsche 928, the choice of replacement parts is very important. I had a Bosch rebuilt A/C compressor installed in my 1987 S4 when replaced in 2009. It was more expensive then others replacement units but had a 2 year warranty and it has lasted well (42,000 miles so far) and done the job in the Arizona heat.

My advice is visit perspective shops, ask them about your experience and have them explain what parts they purchase (OEM?) and what they'll do. For example, for the A/C job will they replace all O-rings in the system? ... they should with a job this size and it will ensure that you don't have leaks in the future. If they won't take time to talk with you, odds are they aren't the type of shop you should do business with.

Rich
928 Owners Club Charter Member & Membership Chairman
1993 928 GTS Cover Girl
1987 928 S4
1979 928 5-speed - now in print
1979 928 track beast

Thank you Rich.
Very much appreciate your feedback/advice.

On the above vehicle, I had the A/C compressor change, the system O-rings, and the Freon filter as well. However, the air from the front vent is still not cold as it was originally.
The system was also converted from R-12? Freon to R134A? Freon.
The shop says the issue may be the front evaporator and suspects its clogged and not allow full free flow. At high RPMs the A/C gets cold but previous, I could not set A/C to lowest setting in mid-summer as I would freeze.
Any ideas? Is there anything else to consider that might be an issue besides the evaporator? What is a reasonable cost for the evaporator? And replacement?

Thank you!
Darrell