Alternator: Labour quote

facade

01afraser4 wrote: »

I originally thought that I'd get the alternator myself as there is a local auto-parts shop which has come quite highly recommended in terms of price and guarantees that they offer

The guarantee is not much use to you, as you would have to pay someone to do the work again. You might possibly be able to claim the labour back but I doubt it, it is probably a "Bring the faulty one back and we will give you another" guarantee. Fine for a DIYer.



If the garage supply and fit, then they should. provide a guarantee on the whole job

reddwarf2002

I suspect the £230 price was for supply and fit. They probably missed that you were suppling your own parts.

debtdebt

Try and take the alternator you bought back for a refund and go supply and fit based on the above.

Robisere

Phone round local, independent garages for a quote to supply and fit. They will use non-Fiat Motor Factor parts which will be no different in lifetime, function and operation than factory Fiat, but will be cheaper. Take a look at the alternator belt and check if it is worn before you have the work done. If it looks worn, frayed or very shiny on the edges, ask for a price to include that too, they cost very little.

Joe_Horner

For the guys saying a couple of hours tops, it looks like on the Punto - if it has aircon - then you're supposed to evacuate the system and remove the compressor to get access to the alternator. That's not to say you can't fight access around the compressor but not a nice or straightforward job either way.

Another vote for supply and fit - let someone who's already got all the odd kit you may suddenly need have the aggro

System

As above it depends on the job. The starter motor on most cars is a quick job to do but on my wife's Renault Trafic van you have to take the entire front of the van off so the headlights, grille, bumper, cross member, bonnet slam panel all have to be taken off and the radiator out to get to it so what would normally be 30 minutes to an hours labour for a starter motor change on most vehicles is a 7 hour job on her van making a £100-ish all in job a £450 job.

If it is as Joe Horner says and has aircon then its not a normal quick 30 minute job.

chrisw

incidentally, its a known problem on Fiat Puntos. The drain from the scuttle under the wipers discharges on to the alternator!

Many people have modified the drain tube, or alternatively replaced it with an alfa romeo tube which discharges to one side of it.

Further details can be found on the Fiatforum website.