Oil pan gasket on 1999 Ford Ranger

[The Grebe]

Just wondering if any of you fellas are familiar with having an oil pan gasket replaced, either doing it yourself, or having the garage do it.

The fella at the garage said they have to lift up the motor to get at it and I was kind of shocked at how much it would cost! Anyone ever had this done? Is it really that expensive if you have the garage do it? The dude was talking over $500 bucks!

[Scott K]

I am assuming your ranger has the 3.0L engine, because if it had the 4.0 it would be twice that. $500 sounds pretty close, If you figure $100 per hour, plus gasket, updated pan bolts, engine oil and oil filter. Its about right.

[PierBridge]

You can sneak the gasket in if you know what your doing I think my ford gasket was 6 hours in the book and he did it in about an hour and half.

[Scott K]

You are right if you know how to sneak them in, you can save alot of time doing it that way. I do all the one piece rubber gaskets that way. That doesnt mean the customer will get the discounted rate. If they use flat rate it will be book time, that means if the book says it pays 3.5 hours, thats what the customer pays! Regardless if the tech gets it done in an 1 hour, or if it takes him 10 hours!

If you are a good customer to the shop, or if they are slow and looking for work, they may cut you a break! If you lived closer to me I would do it for you for alot less then that!

[The Grebe]

Thanks guys!

I talked to the mechanic and asked him if that was the bottom line. I asked him to confer with the garage owner and since I always have my vehicles serviced there, to see if they couldn't sharpen their pencil a bit.

Well, it paid to dicker a little....I bring the truck into the shop in the morning at a reduced rate.

Thanks again, I really appreciate you throwing out the info and 4wandering eyes, if I lived closer I would dam sure let ya have a crack at it!