# Repair cost **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** escape, ford\ **Created:** [January 18, 2011, 7:13pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/repair-cost/60125 "2011-01-18T19:13:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![specialeyes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@specialeyes](https://community.cartalk.com/u/specialeyes)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2011, 7:13pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/repair-cost/60125/1 "2011-01-18T19:13:44Z")
What would be the approximate time it would take for a mechanic to replace the oil pan gasket on a 2005 Ford Escape? ---
**Author:** ![ken\_green](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/ken_green/32/816_2.png) [@ken\_green](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ken_green)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2011, 7:17pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/repair-cost/60125/2 "2011-01-18T19:17:03Z")
Engine size ? AWD ? FWD ? ---
**Author:** ![specialeyes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@specialeyes](https://community.cartalk.com/u/specialeyes)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2011, 7:37pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/repair-cost/60125/3 "2011-01-18T19:37:31Z")
3.0L V-6 AWD ---
**Author:** ![ken\_green](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/ken_green/32/816_2.png) [@ken\_green](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ken_green)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2011, 7:56pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/repair-cost/60125/4 "2011-01-18T19:56:56Z")
Flat rate manual says 1.7 hrs for the engine oil pan gasket replacement. This shop is $70.00 hr. X 1.7 Ford OE part 3W4Z-6710-DA $46.00 ( metal with rubber gasket ) New oil and you may as well change the filter now too $24.95 - shop materials and tax. $211.30 Different shops have different hourly rates. Aftermarket parts may be available at different prices. ---
**Author:** ![jesmed1](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/jesmed1/32/2097_2.png) [@jesmed1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jesmed1)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2011, 8:14pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/repair-cost/60125/5 "2011-01-18T20:14:35Z")
Here’s a handy webtool that gives you the estimated labor and parts cost for a repair in your area: > **[Car Repair Estimates | Auto Shop & Mechanic Reviews - RepairPal](https://repairpal.com/)** > > RepairPal is the leading provider of auto repair and maintenance information to consumers. Our RepairPal Certified shop network helps you find a repair shop you can trust, and our RepairPrice Estimator ensures you never pay more than you should. We... ---
**Author:** ![specialeyes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@specialeyes](https://community.cartalk.com/u/specialeyes)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2011, 8:16pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/repair-cost/60125/6 "2011-01-18T20:16:53Z")
Thank you for the info. It was very helpful. My local shop charged me $322.00 for labor. The gasket, oil, and filter was $63.13. He also replaced spark plugs and the plugs were $56.00 apiece. I didn’t even know there were plugs that expensive. What are your thoughts? ---
**Author:** ![cigroller](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c68b51/32.png) [@cigroller](https://community.cartalk.com/u/cigroller)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2011, 10:53pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/repair-cost/60125/7 "2011-01-18T22:53:57Z")
Most of it looks fine - except for the $56 spark plugs. Was the labor included in that price? On some engines changing spark plugs is a nightmare and requires quite a bit of labor. If the plugs & labor were all lumped together I suppose that could make more sense. But it still sounds fairly excessive. ---
**Author:** ![specialeyes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@specialeyes](https://community.cartalk.com/u/specialeyes)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2011, 11:00pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/repair-cost/60125/8 "2011-01-18T23:00:34Z")
I appreciate the responses. After visiting repairpal I called my mechanic. The plugs were supposed to be $5.99 instead of $55.99. He also overcharged labor on oil pan gasket (4 hrs instead of 2). So everything seems good now. Thanks again ---
**Author:** ![jesmed1](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/jesmed1/32/2097_2.png) [@jesmed1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jesmed1)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2011, 11:00pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/repair-cost/60125/9 "2011-01-18T23:00:36Z")
That’s a bit steep for labor. Here in ZIP 11751 (suburb of NY city) the total job should cost $300 at most. And $56 per spark plug…that’s just plain robbery. ---
**Author:** ![ken\_green](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/ken_green/32/816_2.png) [@ken\_green](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ken_green)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2011, 11:03pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/repair-cost/60125/10 "2011-01-18T23:03:51Z")
$56.00 may have been the price for a set of six , but… Motorcraft SP417 plugs list at 8.38 each , our shop sells at $6.70 each. 56 each is waaay too much. ---
**Author:** ![jesmed1](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/jesmed1/32/2097_2.png) [@jesmed1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jesmed1)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2011, 11:04pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/repair-cost/60125/11 "2011-01-18T23:04:30Z")
Glad that helped. And I hope the misplaced decimal point was just an honest mistake by your mechanic. If not, though, you might want to find a mechanic who doesn’t need to make such large boat payments. Use the “Mechanics Files” to find a (different) recommended mechanic near you: > **[Mechanics Files](https://www.cartalk.com/mechanics-files)** > > Car Talk from NPR. Car advice, tips, troubleshooting, and answers to your car questions. Find a mechanic, hear past shows, play the puzzler, join our discussion boards, and learn safe driving tips.