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Old 03-13-2025, 06:06 PM   #1
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Chain rail guide repair

Looking for some input based on experience of what this repair should cost. I'm in MD and getting 8-9k which includes replacing the two hydraulic tensioners for 4k and 15-40 hours labor. Any insight would be welcome.

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Old 03-14-2025, 02:58 AM   #2
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You must include what you're driving.

I don't know how much that repair would cost... but $9K seems ridic. Does that $9K meet your acid test? Not mine. For $9K I'd be looking at other shops.

You could purchase another car for $9K. Hope you get the answer you're looking for. GL.
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Last edited by Starter986; 03-14-2025 at 02:59 AM. Reason: nunya
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Old 03-14-2025, 06:11 AM   #3
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What all is included in your quote?

I have been exploring this as well and was recently quoted half that which includes engine out, all three tensioners, timing chain rails, and tensioner guide sets with 20 hours of labor.
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Old 03-14-2025, 03:11 PM   #4
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What all is included in your quote?

I have been exploring this as well and was recently quoted half that which includes engine out, all three tensioners, timing chain rails, and tensioner guide sets with 20 hours of labor.
About that and one quote with variocam solenoids which most likely aren't needed. Any chance of doing repair is out of play with what Im getting.
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Old 03-14-2025, 08:43 PM   #5
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Originally Posted by Md986 View Post
Looking for some input based on experience of what this repair should cost. I'm in MD and getting 8-9k which includes replacing the two hydraulic tensioners for 4k and 15-40 hours labor. Any insight would be welcome.
Were they wearing masks and holding a gun on you at the time? I'd call some shops and ask them what the flat rate is for those procedures.
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Old 03-15-2025, 08:12 AM   #6
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If you look at https://youtu.be/ocntYwozZBY and if you mean these rails, you can get an idea of the work involved and make your own price estimate. For a built-in motor, I would estimate one day (8 hours) per side, plus materials, assuming the person has done it before
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Old 03-15-2025, 09:16 AM   #7
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If you look at https://youtu.be/ocntYwozZBY and if you mean these rails, you can get an idea of the work involved and make your own price estimate. For a built-in motor, I would estimate one day (8 hours) per side, plus materials, assuming the person has done it before
Yes, I watched that video numerous times from what I've seen it's the best one out there. I got 15 hours from one of the supposed best garages around but the labor was 200+hour so I'm looking at around 5k which doesn't excite me.
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Old 03-18-2025, 05:07 AM   #8
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Originally Posted by 997_986 View Post
If you look at https://youtu.be/ocntYwozZBY and if you mean these rails, you can get an idea of the work involved and make your own price estimate. For a built-in motor, I would estimate one day (8 hours) per side, plus materials, assuming the person has done it before
a professional shop with mechanics who know this, should be able to do both sides in 8 hours easily.
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Old 03-19-2025, 02:22 AM   #9
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a professional shop with mechanics who know this, should be able to do both sides in 8 hours easily.
I don't want to argue, but this is only possible if everything is freely accessible, what indeed isn't. With the calculation of ~15h you are not wrong if you want to calculate the budget.
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Old 03-28-2025, 05:32 AM   #10
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I just got quoted this in Dallas area for my 01 S. It was only itemized down to "Remove and replace camshafts" and parts were listed as "Genuine Engine Timing Chain Tensioner Guide". $3500
Not replacing tensioners, just replacing the pads.
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Old 04-02-2025, 01:15 PM   #11
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Originally Posted by Md986 View Post
Looking for some input based on experience of what this repair should cost. I'm in MD and getting 8-9k which includes replacing the two hydraulic tensioners for 4k and 15-40 hours labor. Any insight would be welcome.
recently called a few places out in Arizona where im at for replacing the chains and guides for my 99 boxster and estimated roughly $5,000-7,500. biggest claim from em was "we take out the variocam solenoids and clean them which takes more time." given the information in this thread, id say a decent price (depending on what exactly you want done) should estimate upwards to $5,500 and below, but anything more seems like robbery
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Old 04-03-2025, 08:50 AM   #12
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I only ask is it worth it? I have a 1997 and it is not worth the cost of what they want to charge. Plus, it is a sure bet there will be other things that need to be attended to once out of the car. Good luck is all I have to say and enjoy the ride ...
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Old 04-03-2025, 10:53 AM   #13
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I only ask is it worth it? I have a 1997 and it is not worth the cost of what they want to charge. Plus, it is a sure bet there will be other things that need to be attended to once out of the car. Good luck is all I have to say and enjoy the ride ...
It is if the car has to pass state inspections, which it will fail if the CEL is lit.

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