Rats nest under intake manifold + coolant valley estimate

[ironmountain]

Woke up to a flashing dash lights/CEL and took the vehicle in. Rats chewed knock sensor wires and have been making a 5 star hotel rats nest under the intake manifold.
The mechanic noticed the the notorious valley coolant leak happening and $1500 to fix the valley leak along with $800 for the intake manifold pull and reset.
Is this reasonable? Should I get it replaced while they’re in there? Not sure if this is high or standard. Thanks. Pic of rats nest for fun.

 

[tbisaacs]

Reasonable

 

[bloc]

I’ll admit I haven’t paid anyone for mechanic work in a long time but $800 for the harness job is fair?

Getting the manifold off is about half an hour, and the harness is $45 at the dealer parts counter. I guess time could add up if they messed up more than the extension harness though..

 

[ironmountain]

I’ll admit I haven’t paid anyone for mechanic work in a long time but $800 for the harness job is fair?

Getting the manifold off is about half an hour, and the harness is $45 at the dealer parts counter. I guess time could add up if they messed up more than the extension harness though..

The $800 is just for pulling the intake manifold and resetting with a new gasket

 

[TLC2013]

The $800 is just for pulling the intake manifold and resetting with a new gasket

$1500 for the valley plate is a good price especially with California labor rates. Now the $800 to reseal the intake manifold with gasket doesnt sound right at all. Doing the coolant valley repair results in pulling it and then installing it back to complete the project. Anything else mentioned in that $800 repair?
I have seen quotes as high was $2700 for the coolant valley repair at a lexus dealership and ultimately found a good indy shop that did it for $1400 labor and I supplied all the parts, gaskets, sealant etc.

 

[KLF]

$800 for the intake removal and replace is very high. I've done it 3 times now, for exactly the same reason (damned mice). The harness is about $65. The gaskets don't really even need to be changed, but I'm sure they will insist they do (any shop would).

I "armored" my harness when I replaced it last time, lots of loom and tape, leaving no wires exposed. Honda sells a rodent repellant tape that supposedly has pepper oil in it, but it's very expensive and hard to find.

 

[rexington14]

The $800 is just for pulling the intake manifold and resetting with a new gasket

But you weren't notified of the $800 charge to pull the intake before they went ahead and pulled the intake? Seems shady.

 

[ironmountain]

But you weren't notified of the $800 charge to pull the intake before they went ahead and pulled the intake? Seems shady.

No so how it went down:
Cel,
Took to shop,
Quoted $200 for inspection,
Called me back and said they found rats nest under intake manifold via a camera,
Then quoted $800 to pull the intake manifold, then stated that it could be up to $200 to replace the wire.
They found a chewed up wire and will be fixing that. I asked to waive the inspection fee and they’re giving back half. So all in for about $1100.
They noticed the valley coolant leak which would be in addition to the $1100. So $1500 + $1100

 

[marques]

How bad is the coolant leak (how often do you need to top off the coolant)? These leaks can be very slow and go on for years before they become a real problem.

You could kick the can down the road for now and just keep an eye on it. Doesn’t look like you’re getting any discounts for the duplicate labor associated with the intake manifold removal.

 

[ironmountain]

How bad is the coolant leak (how often do you need to top off the coolant)? These leaks can be very slow and go on for years before they become a real problem.

You could kick the can down the road for now and just keep an eye on it. Doesn’ look like you’re getting any discounts for the duplicate labor associated with the intake manifold removal.

They’re for sure doubling up on the labor so I will hold off for now. You can see seepage and have to refill every couple of months.

 

[rexington14]

No so how it went down:
Cel,
Took to shop,
Quoted $200 for inspection,
Called me back and said they found rats nest under intake manifold via a camera,
Then quoted $800 to pull the intake manifold, then stated that it could be up to $200 to replace the wire.
They found a chewed up wire and will be fixing that. I asked to waive the inspection fee and they’re giving back half. So all in for about $1100.
They noticed the valley coolant leak which would be in addition to the $1100. So $1500 + $1100

So you ok'ed the $800 then.
Personally I wouldn't run a UR long with a known coolant issue so I'd be inclined to fix it whether you pay for it now or DIY it as soon as you can.

 

[ironmountain]

So you ok'ed the $800 then.
Personally I wouldn't run a UR long with a known coolant issue so I'd be inclined to fix it whether you pay for it now or DIY it as soon as you can.

For sure. They had to pull the intake manifold in order to gain access to the knock sensor wires. How hard is the diy route on the valley leak?

 

[marques]

It’s not hard. Just somewhat tedious and time consuming. And you have to deal with the exhaust air injection valves, which can be a PITA due to limited access (especially if you don’t have small hands). There are a few threads and write ups on the subject (search “valley coolant leak”). Plan on spending a whole Saturday the first time you do it. The 2nd time you’ll do it in half the time.