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California has a law called contingent liability, which means (as I understand it) that if the mechanic makes a mistake, like leaving your oil drain plug loose, he must pay for the engine damage.
In Virginia the law is he has to replace the oil and tighten the drain plug so it does not come loose again.
Both scenarios have their rationale, and can be argued add-stupidium, but part of the cost of labor in Cali is "insurance" against a 15 dollar labor job costing the shop thousands in repairs-replacement of damaged parts.
Bottom line is probably a 33-50% bump in labor to cover the contingent liability.
I think the previously mentioned bad back precludes much home mechanicing.
regards
Mech
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