How long to change an alternator plus service

[coolchris]

Hi,

Recently had a service and alternator change on my car (2nd alternator in last year and half).Going by my invoice its nearly 6 hrs labour i thought this was a lot?.Maybe you guys can tell me othrwise how long do you think it would take to do this work(routine service including plugs).My thoughts were 2 hrs alternator 2 hrs service ?.

Chris

[TuxMan]

Hi Chris , which service ? Full or half ?

6 hours sounds ok with a alternator change , it's a pig to change !!!!!

Tux

[GTO600]

Service + alternator change in 6hrs - look happy.

[coolchris]

On the service it had oil change/filter,plugs,advanced motor flush tratment/gas treatment plus brakes tyres ball joints etc checked over.Half the prob with alternator is getting the bolts out but as it was changed not long ago id have thought they would have come out pretty easy.So what we thinking then 3hs alternator 3 hrs service ?

[Adrian W]

What is an advanced motor flush?

[TuxMan]

Probably have to take the bottom engine tray off to get to alternator .

Tux

[sjc]

Had new alternator fitted last month, I'll check amount when I get home.

[Zoobeef]

Adrian W said:

What is an advanced motor flush?

Better than just using a hosepipe.

[Adrian W]

TuxMan said:

Probably have to take the bottom engine tray off to get to alternator .

Tux

I'm pretty sure it comes out through the side,I undid mine several times recently to tweak the line up of the pullys, you do need a very short or bent spanner for the top back nut.about 30 mins to get it off including removing wheel and side covers. I didnt need to pull it all the way out but pretty sure it will come through, I think we did Alex S's one through the side.

[Chapppers]

2 hours to do mine at a garage who'd never worked on a Noble before (RAC towed me there) and it came out by taking the side panel out (same as the fuel filter but opposite side)

[sjc]

Just looked up mine from last month, investigate problem, supply and fit alternator, £357.07 including Vat.Looks like £85+vat labour and £212.56+vat for the alternator.

[coolchris]

Well in that case im pretty certain my guy would have done it in 2 hrs max but probably less so that would leave 4hrs for a service.I have used the same guy for last 5yrs he is a good guy but the problem is on the invoice there is no breakdown of labour time for each job.
So im just left guessing how long it would have taken.Im just certain a competent mechanic would do a service in well under 4hrs.

[RobP]

coolchris said:

Well in that case im pretty certain my guy would have done it in 2 hrs max but probably less so that would leave 4hrs for a service.I have used the same guy for last 5yrs he is a good guy but the problem is on the invoice there is no breakdown of labour time for each job.
So im just left guessing how long it would have taken.Im just certain a competent mechanic would do a service in well under 4hrs.

Chris - if you have any queries on the bill surely the person you should be talking to is the the mechanic? Especially, if he is a good guy and you've been using him for 5 yrs. Either a simple mistake on the bill or something unforseen that took more time.

[sjc]

Mine was at Kerridges(Noble dealer). so I assume the 85 quid was one hour?

[GTO600]

RobP said:

coolchris said:

Well in that case im pretty certain my guy would have done it in 2 hrs max but probably less so that would leave 4hrs for a service.I have used the same guy for last 5yrs he is a good guy but the problem is on the invoice there is no breakdown of labour time for each job.
So im just left guessing how long it would have taken.Im just certain a competent mechanic would do a service in well under 4hrs.

Chris - if you have any queries on the bill surely the person you should be talking to is the the mechanic? Especially, if he is a good guy and you've been using him for 5 yrs. Either a simple mistake on the bill or something unforseen that took more time.

Couldn't agree more, why querie on a public forum without consulting the good guy you've used for 5 years. If l was the mechanic & read this l know what my response would be !!!

[sjc]

GTO600 said:

RobP said:

coolchris said:

Well in that case im pretty certain my guy would have done it in 2 hrs max but probably less so that would leave 4hrs for a service.I have used the same guy for last 5yrs he is a good guy but the problem is on the invoice there is no breakdown of labour time for each job.
So im just left guessing how long it would have taken.Im just certain a competent mechanic would do a service in well under 4hrs.

Chris - if you have any queries on the bill surely the person you should be talking to is the the mechanic? Especially, if he is a good guy and you've been using him for 5 yrs. Either a simple mistake on the bill or something unforseen that took more time.

Couldn't agree more, why querie on a public forum without consulting the good guy you've used for 5 years. If l was the mechanic & read this l know what my response would be !!!

In fairness, he hasn't moaned, just queried, and not named anyone either.

[TuxMan]

4 hours for a service seems pretty fair to me !! taking into account time to do the service , order the parts , answer the phone when you called to book it in and write out the invoice ect .

Tux

[Adrian W]

TuxMan said:

4 hours for a service seems pretty fair to me !! taking into account time to do the service , order the parts , answer the phone when you called to book it in and write out the invoice ect .

Tux

Im sorry but most of those things are overhead and should be calculated into the hourly rate.

Hours should be time on the job

[coolchris]

Sorry if I have upset anyone on here your right I should just speak to him.I just thought be nice to get feedback on here from the good nobility.