I asked a question about verious problems on this board a couple of weeks ago, but still wasnt able to get it figured out, so Friday my 95 GS was towed to satan. Bad news..they did a compresion test and got next to nothing on the 3rd cyl. They told me its probably bent valves :((I dont think they did a leak down, Ill have to ask tomorrow). Anyways, they said its going to be a minimum of $1500 to fix, and I thought that sounded insanely high. Has anyone else had this done, if so how much (if you dont mind me asking). Im not very technically minded, and I know this is a major thing, but it still sounds high. Thanks in advance.:)

Wow man u got problems- if u bent valves then your car must have come out of timing, Im not a subject matter expert but I think you are getting ripped. $1500-Daaammmmmmn you could buy another engine for that. Anyway I would check the timing belt to see if it may have broken, I'm taking my car in the shop tommorrow for a valve job and it's gonna be $700.00 parts and labor included. I have the full use of a shop and tools-"military benefit"- to do it myself, but no one to help me and plus I don't want to get stuck and have to have my car towed. I got a lot of help on this board trying to figure out what it was and I thank all of you guys for your expertise-start emailing some of the guys/girls and maybe they can help you get closer to the problem, maybe someone live close enough to you to be of some help.

Good Luck

100%Full Stock 96 GS

Ya most shops will charge around 800 bucks for labor to remove the head, and send it to a machine shop for a valve job. That doesn't include the cost of the valves though, depending on which ones you get. Some are cheap, some upgraded stainless steel ones aren't as cheap.

Thanks for the replies! I thought I was getting ripped off.

BTW: No, my timing belt isnt damaged at all. And yes, Im sure my timing was WAAY off;) The 1500 was JUST for the valves, not including any other damages, so it looks like Ill be getting it towed to some other place here around Charleston.

Thanks Again!!!!:)

take the head off yourself and send it to a machine shop. i was charged 650 for a stage 3 port and polish with a 3 angle valve job (including 2 valves that were burned). i would get all stainless steel valves though. they're definately worth the money. i havent had any problems since i replaced mine. i think he charges like 200 for a valve job. if you didnt burn the valve seats then you just need new valves. very easy to change, just get a valve spring compressor from auto zone or o'reilly, or if you have strong thumbs you can press down the valve springs with your hands while someone else puts in those little pieces that hold the spring down. then get a complete gasket kit from satan. put the motor back together and you should be good. if you cant do the motor work find a friend that can help. where do you live? i may be able to give you a hand

I would LOVE to do the work myself, and I could probably do it if I had the time and resources, but I dont. I only have a basic tool set and because I just moved I dont really know anyone around here that could help.

BTW..thanks so much for the offer!! I live in downtown Charleston, SC, if youd like to make the trek from Texas (looked at your profile), you are welcome to stay here.;-)

Hey man, I can't believe you're from Charleston. I live about 30 min away in Orangeburg (half way b/t Cola. and Chars) I know a good many people that could help you out, plus the Import shop I use handles all of that. If you need any help with anything, e-mail me BlitzdEclipse99@aol.com or just post it here.

ummm, valves just dont bend, things have to cause it.... u know that.... what kinda service had u done in the past?? has neone else done werk on your ride?? u said the timin was off, had sumone done your t/belt??

satan F'd my baby up, and i got 2 new valves, new head gasket, etc...from their dumasses

what kinda mileage is on her??

i wish u good luck,

Well, all the problems started right after I got my timing belt done by a not-so-trustworthy mechanic about 20,000 miles ago (or thereabouts), but they were very minor (rough idle) so I didnt worry about it. Then they got progressivly worse after that. After I got the car back from the the timing belt replacment, I told them of the idle problem, and they just said I needed higher octane fule (yes..i believed them because I was a litle more ignorant back then;-)). Anyways, Its been about 12 months since then, so I doubt theyll accept blame on anything.

One strange thing I did notice before I took it in to satan (after it was completely not drivable) was that my exhaust cam gear(or whatever you call it) was about 40 degrees off from my intake cam gear! This leads me to believe they really messed somthing up when I had my timing belt change, but who knows. Thats the only time anything beyond simple maintenance has been done In the past couple years.

Also, satan isnt even sure if the valves are bent or burn, or if my rings are bad, or anything really. I dont think they did a leak down test (and yet they charged me $70 for an inspection?), but for some reason they seem pretty sure the valves are bent. They told me for $450 they would take the head off and find out, but thats only to take it off (and Id rather not be out 450 + 70 + towing just to find out my problem).

I called around to a couple places today and found someone who will do the same valve job for about $820, so it looks like thats where its gonna happen.

BTW, my car is a 95 GS with about 150,000 miles on it.

>Hey man, I can't believe you're from Charleston. I live
>about 30 min away in Orangeburg (half way b/t Cola. and
>Chars) I know a good many people that could help you out,
>plus the Import shop I use handles all of that. If you need
>any help with anything, e-mail me BlitzdEclipse99@aol.com or
>just post it here.

Thanks so much! Its good to know there are people near by If I need any help. Like I mentioned in the above post, I think Ive found a good shop to do it, so Im just gonna go that route. Just for future reference, what shop do you use? feel free to email: pimpdouteclipse@hotmail.com

Both of you guys should check out carolina dsm ( www.carolinadsm.com ) even though most of our meets are in NC right now we have a couple of members in SC who Im sure would love to meet U guys.