while auto parts may seem expensive, compare to what my buddy just paid for the 8 spark plugs in his aircraft...$1200. oof...

My local chain auto store had the plugs at $20/ea. I usually find their prices to be 30-50% more than Rock Auto. I was very surprised at how much more the local dealer was charging. A different dealer had the plugs at $30/ea. I'll still buy stuff occasionally from my local chain auto store. They take my used oil and have generally been helpful when I come in with questions.

Nothing in general aviation maintenance costs less than a grand.

Edit - nothing in *Certified* GA. You can put all the lawnmower parts you want in an experimental.

Hence the term "Aviation Monetary Unit" or AMU. One AMU = $1,000. Or as we used to say, if you have to ask, you can't afford.

Greg

The VWG likes to put up ridiculous prices for seemingly inexpensive parts. I've left my faulty wing mirror folding mechanism as is, after finding out it had to be replaced for a whole new unit for the cool sum of $381 :eek:

Yep. I couldn't ignore the leak so I had to eat that one. The pan is plastic. My mech said I should consider them a wear item. Aften enough heat cycles, they eventually warp and leak.

Plastic oil pan?! Yow, you should look into whether your engine ever came with a metal pan. If so, perhaps the next time you could put that in when this "new" one needs replacing. I know, Good Luck!

Some cars indeed come with plastic pans from the factory :mad:

It's almost all profiteering. Very little of it is true inflation. Corporations are posting the highest profits in 70 years.

My mechanic just replaced my plugs on 2004 Volvo XC70 and they were $24 for 5 plugs.

A google search on 2003 Toyota Corolla spark plugs, shows prices ranging from $16 to $4. The devils in the details, and not all spark plugs are created equal.

At my first job, I earned $1.75/hr.

At the time houses were $50 ;)

VAG wanted $565 for a replacement trunk latch for my vw. The part has been in use on various vehicles since the early 2000s.

Amazon sourced part was $39 and came with the tools to replace it.. buying the triple square wrenches would have cost $40 alone.

99 cents in the 1960s