> > 1997 Buick Custom LeSabre 80K miles (Canada)
> >
> > Had a small oil leak and my regular guy suggested steam
> > cleaning the engine and putting a fluorescent dye in the oil.
> > Later that day, with a UV lamp you could see where is was
> > coming from - around the oil pan.
> >
> > Change engine oil & filter, lubricate chassis as required,
> > check all fluid levels 0.3h @ $0.00/hr..............$0.00
> >
> > Install oil pan gasket 1.5h @ $79.95/hr.........$119.95
> >
> > Steam clean engine 0.5h @ 79.95/hr...............$39.95
> >
> > 3 litres 10W30 Hight Grade Motor Oil............$18.00
> > 1 Oil
filter........................................................$11.95
> 1 Oil pan gasket............................................$104.40
> > 1 Engine cleaner............................................... $9.95 > >
> > This guy is good (or the best I've found to date), pleasant,
> > I can walk in the shop, and no recalls. What surprised me
> > was the cost of the gasket! He showed me the old one, I
> > have it here, at home. It's extruded plastic (you can see all
> > the make-up marks) and has a thin red rubber-like channel
> > on each side, about 2mm wide.
> >
> > The part number on the shipper's invoice (Collins Automotive
> > Parts) is 16681, list $88.37 (so the markup was $16.03).
> >
> > The old one is stamped 2/97. Any guess on how many were
> > originally made? Design, making moulds can be expensive,
> > but if you make enough of them . . .I wonder what the
> > distributor buys them at. Did I get a good deal?
> >
> > From a quiet part of Toronto,
> > Alan
>
> Thanks for all your replies. I don't suppose that either Ian or Charles
> is anywhere near Toronto (Canada)? Your expertise is impressive. >
Im outside of Dayton Ohio USA. Im no expert or impressive. Im just an old beer drinking redneck :) Charles