valve job cost at shop not dealership

1996 SATURN SL1
17,000 MILES
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ANKHAMUNGUS
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1996 Saturn SL1-- a valve job--I have an out of work certified mechanic friend who will do the work. He told me to research going prices and let him know. So my question is: How much would a valve job cost at a shop not dealership?

Car needs a valve job. Out of work mechanic friend will do work. I need fair market value of a valve job.
Apr 22, 2012 at 7:13 AM
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RASMATAZ
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The cost of the valve job might be as low as $100 for the machine shop portion of the work, plus $60 to $75 for gaskets and antifreeze, plus $250 to $400 labor to remove and install the head.
Apr 22, 2012 at 9:30 AM
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SATURNTECH9
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Just to add to this one betime you pressure check the head surface it a lot of places make you hot tank it and the valve job your looking at more then 100.Your going to want to pressure test it the single cam S model saturn heads are known for cracking and leaking oil in the coolant.I have replaced tons of those heads for that and seen tons more come into the dealer for that.Also inspect the cam journals closely for cracks thats where they crack.Especially the number 3 or 4 cam journal also make sure you get a paper intake gasket dont get a metal one they compress and leak.Also if your going to do do a valve job it would be silly not to put a new timing chain kit back in.
Apr 22, 2012 at 3:52 PM
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SATURNTECH9
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Also if memory serves correct its 6hrs labor warranty time which is lower then the time they use at the repair shops just to replace the head gasket.I belive its a about 10 hrs labor to do a head job.Whats your zip code?
Apr 22, 2012 at 3:56 PM