Free head gasket replacement

[nb_351]

I have a mate of mine, we've been mates since we were born and grown up together, he has a corolla that needs a head gasket
Now he asked me if I could do it, I'm a diesel mechanic so of course I can lol
But he wants me to do it for nothing to help him out as he has no money and is going to reimburse me by giving me a second hand boxing bag
Is it just me or is that not enough of a payment for the good couple of days work before I work afternoon shift where I actually get paid?

[Landau Stable]

Depends on what kind of mate he is. I've done that stuff for free for mates before, but they have been the kind who have dropped everything and done the same in return. Regardless, the parts must always be paid for. The only thing they get for free is the labour.

[nb_351]

Yeah he reckons he'll pay for the parts I'm not doing that lol
He's pretty good, I suppose I could be nice and do it for free to help him out I just wish he was a panel beater lol

[KR1STO]

I'd just do it man.. If he's been a mate for as long as you say, then I'm pretty sure that one day in the future the favour will be re-paid in one way or another..
I've helped mates with things on their car and often supplied parts.. When it came time for them to lend a hand with stuff for me, they were there..

I guess that's how a good friendship works, a balance of give and take..

Cheers

[nb_351]

Yeah I guess, and it's only during the day before work I don't do much except work on my own cars or bludge lol

[tweeked]

I'd want pizza and drinks as well.

If he is a good mate, it will come around sometime. He might win lotto next year.

If you only hear from him when he wants something, then I wouldn't do it.

[Bushbasher]

What goes around comes around.

[2011G6E]

If it's a good mate, no question...who cares about labour costs?

It's a bit like people who add in the "estimated" cost of their own time and labour when telling you how much their car cost to modify. I got the qustion asked of me about my old 750 triple Kawasaki at a show once...I said to a guy from a bike magazine who asked about the work done to it "The gearbox internals came from Purple Haze racing in Colorado, the the other bits from the local Kawasaki dealer and bike wrecker, all up it was about $600 in parts I suppose". He commented "But what about your labour costs?". He honestly seemed puzzled that I couldn't wheel out an impressive figure of how much my hypothetical "mechanics labour charges" would have cost me to add to it.

If it's for yourself or a mate, "Labour" doesn't come into it. It's time you would have spent doing something else and most likely not have gotten paid for either, so why not use that time to help out a mate?

[Yellow_Festiva]

Very complicated question. Your history as 'mates' will dictate your decision. If you are asking here then I think you have doubts about doing it. I got close friends who go out of their way for me and I'm available to them any time any place. I had ex mates who I wouldn't pee on if they were on fire as they were just sponges who kept sucking my generosity.

Only you can answer your question, no one else.

[2011G6E]

Originally Posted by Yellow_Festiva

Very complicated question. Your history as 'mates' will dictate your decision. If you are asking here then I think you have doubts about doing it. I got close friends who go out of their way for me and I'm available to them any time any place. I had ex mates who I wouldn't pee on if they were on fire as they were just sponges who kept sucking my generosity.

Only you can answer your question, no one else.

Best response so far!

[nb_351]

I'm sure hell bring some beers around one day, that will help haha
Thanks everyone

[Kryton]

Why dont you do it as mates and both get in and have a crack.
Youd appreciate the help and he'd appreciate the knowledge .

[nb_351]

Yeah that will be the plan I think ;)

[Charliewool]

AND get him to supply the beers while you're doing the job

[Charliewool]

Hmmm, maybe a rethink on beers?
I remember years ago getting 3 mates to help me pull down old and put up a new side paling fence at home, with me agreeing to supply the beer & snags for the job.
Ended up costing me heaps more than getting a proper fencer.. Plus the bloody palings got more and more crooked as the fence progressed.

[nb_351]

Originally Posted by Charliewool

AND get him to supply the beers while you're doing the job

Maybe he can bring a case and well have one or two until its done lol

[NickyN]

If you two are that close, it would be a nice thing to do (even if it ends up costing you time) because one day when you need help he might be the one to help you out. You could also let him know that the only time you have is before work so..... Which means you'd have to put your own project aside or get in extra early to work on his. Hopefully he gets this? Or ask if he has time to stop by and help out.

You can always rag (friendly tease) him later if he doesn't bring pizza and beer and have a laugh. You'll always be one up on him then.

[mik]

it`s tuff to decide what`s right sometimes, i remember doing the head on my mates girl friends car years ago, i was happy to help them out, but him and i did stuff for each other(still do to this day 30 years later), on the other hand when distant relo`s ring you up and you help them out about 4 0r 5 times in one year and they continue sucking the life/ good nature right out of you .............

[mike_nofx]

What does he do for work? ie. what can he one day help you with?

[GhiaEB]

There will come a time when for whatever reason you will need help. And if all your mates remember that you charged them when they asked for help, they will return the favour.

[Franco Cozzo]

I have a good friend of mine who we both went to high school together, he is a few years younger than me but we've always been mates, he works at a local Ford dealership and has done some running around for me in the past, we always catch up, have dinner together etc and he is always willing to give me a hand with anything.

So I completely rewired his headlights/high beams on his 90s Hilux with new relays, converted them to positive switching, supplied all the wiring, fuses, fuse panel, relays, etc and gave him a set of new Hella driving lights I had driving around still in the packet and wired them up for him.

Cost me about $300 in parts, and loss of sleep with sunburn because being outside in the sun for a good 8 hours to do it all for him but its worth doing good deeds for good friends.

[jaydee]

Does your lawn need mowing and trimming, do an exchange of labour, paint a room or something.

[IceValk85]

a craprolla head gasket shouldnt take more than a few hours should it?

ive done a VR commodore with a mate, both sides with other upgrades in a day.

ice

[nb_351]

Originally Posted by mike_nofx

What does he do for work? ie. what can he one day help you with?

He's a warehouse manager so no real help there lol

[nb_351]

Originally Posted by IceValk85

a craprolla head gasket shouldnt take more than a few hours should it?

ive done a VR commodore with a mate, both sides with other upgrades in a day.

ice

I'm getting the head machined aswell, corolla has ohc so it's a bit more time involved aswell as changing the timing belt etc
Commodore v6 are almost as easy as they come lol
Ill be doing it a couple of hours a morning before I start work at 130 so a couple of days is about right

[Linkachu]

I've helped out heaps of mates and expected nothing but a thank you. When they cant even do that then i just never help them again and dont give advise either.

[XBROO]

I can't believe this question has been asked, Australia was built on mateship.

[2011G6E]

Another thought: turn up with all your tools, hand them to him, and teach him how to do the job. He might really appreciate it...many people nowadays didn't grow up like a lot of us did, fiddling around under the bonnet of cars.

[MNM96]

Originally Posted by Yellow_Festiva

Very complicated question. Your history as 'mates' will dictate your decision. If you are asking here then I think you have doubts about doing it. I got close friends who go out of their way for me and I'm available to them any time any place. I had ex mates who I wouldn't pee on if they were on fire as they were just sponges who kept sucking my generosity.

Only you can answer your question, no one else.

I think if you need to ask this question, then he needs to look at his friends.

I give up probably 8 to 10 hours a week for friends. Sometimes I get none a week in return, then sometimes I get a 100 hours back.

I give generously of my time, and enjoy helping. I also love getting it back when I need it, often without the need to ask.

[big_landau]

i have no problem with the job but he has to supply the beer,thats just the way it is.