repair quotes.

[new alfa75 owne]

Hi Everyone,
i'm not sure if anyone else is interested in comparing quotes for various repair jobs but i think i need some help. Ive had two quotes to fix my 75, 3.0 synchros, the first quote was 900, and he didnt say exactly what he was doing. i believe it was just to fix 2nd. another quote was for 2000, and i think that was to do 1st, 2nd, and 3rd synchros and sleeves. im not sure what i should be paying for these jobs. i thought 2000 was a bit steep. i have a bit of trouble downgearing into 2nd, but the car is at 280,000kms. being a uni student, money is in very short supply so every dollar saved is a dollar towards the next repair...
does anyone have any idea what i should be paying, or where to go for another quote. i live in SE melbourne. At that amount of kms is it just better to replace the box? what would that cost or would it save in labour??

thanks for any help anyone can give, i really wanna enjoy driving the alfa, not get a sore shoulder out of it...

[beatle_bayly]

Brian,

Any chance you would be willing to do the job youself ? With a bit of care and patience it's relatively straightforward to change the 2nd gear synchro with the transmission still in the car. In fact, if the snchro isn't completely trashed, you can swap it with the one for 5th gear (I think its 5th) so you don't even need to buy parts.

[Damo105]

For $2000 I think you'd be getting close to a full gearbox rebuild. I suspect that's what the second quote is for, whereas the first one may just have been to replace the 2nd synchro. Remember that a fair amount of labour is involved in removing and refitting the box, so while it's out of the car you may as well get it rebuilt.

A cheaper alternative may be to source another box, but a second hand box might not be any better than the one you have.

I'd suggest you get another quote, and ask for a price for a full rebuild. If you want details of another workshop, my mechanic is very good, and his prices are fair. He isn't the cheapest around, but he's honest and is very very experienced with all things Italian. Contact Michael at Ital Motors in Hawthorn on 9818 2597. Tell him you're a poor student and looking for a cost-effective solution!

And if you're not sure what the first 2 quotes are actually for, just go back and ask them to explain exactly what you'd be getting for the price. If they don't want to provide details of what they've quoted on, then they're dodgy!

[C&S]

If I had the same problem (and I do!) and I was a uni student I'd just be learning how to double declutch. I've had no synchro on second or third for 3 years, it's only a problem when I'm hungover, and it means the missus is too scared to drive the car Cheapest fix, and not that hard to learn. Plus, even if you get the synchros fixed, if you don't learn to do it, the problem will resurface eventually. (Don't quote me, but I've heard it can happen in 2 years!) I'm in South Yarra, happy to give a lesson.

You don't mention where you've been, possibly wisely. I can recommend Maranello Motors in Brunswick. Excellent service and work. Reasonably priced, but they're usually pretty busy, so can sometimes take a while. The old story:-Fast, good, cheap. Pick any two.

As above, mention you're a student, you might get lucky.

[lowmileage]

IAP sells a remanufactured in Italy Alfa trans at $1,895. Part #37267. Includes shift housing but not bell housing. Core chg $550 if you don't have one to swap - must be rebuildable and not disassembled. Includes all new synchro rings, sleeves and bearings.

No affiliation.

EDIT: I see you're on the (way) other side of the pond so I would assume shipping is a killer.

[new alfa75 owne]

hey,
thanks for all the great replies, i checked what my quotes were for, the 900 was just the 2nd gear, and the 2000 was just the 1st, 2nd and 3rd synchros and sleeves. i am in the process of getting used to the double clutching...

[new alfa75 owne]

a new problem has shown itself. when the car is warm, sometimes when i turn the key to ignition, nothing happens, it doesnt make a sound, but when i hold the key there for about 5 seconds it starts without hesitation. without jiggling the key or anything(i have a worn ignition barrel but i dont think that is related. any suggestions??

[C&S]

I don't know what this is caused by, but i do remember reading about it the Milano/75 forums on this site. have a search through them, I gather it's a reasonably common problem.

[Damo105]

Welcome to the world of Alfa Romeo electrics!! It's called character :P

[beatle_bayly]

Quote:

Originally Posted by new alfa75 owne a new problem has shown itself. when the car is warm, sometimes when i turn the key to ignition, nothing happens, it doesnt make a sound, but when i hold the key there for about 5 seconds it starts without hesitation. without jiggling the key or anything(i have a worn ignition barrel but i dont think that is related. any suggestions??

[oz3litre]

Quote:

Originally Posted by beatle_bayly Brian, Any chance you would be willing to do the job youself ? With a bit of care and patience it's relatively straightforward to change the 2nd gear synchro with the transmission still in the car. In fact, if the snchro isn't completely trashed, you can swap it with the one for 5th gear (I think its 5th) so you don't even need to buy parts.

[Craig]

G'Day Brian,

Quote:

Originally Posted by new alfa75 owne a new problem has shown itself. when the car is warm, sometimes when i turn the key to ignition, nothing happens, it doesnt make a sound, but when i hold the key there for about 5 seconds it starts without hesitation. without jiggling the key or anything(i have a worn ignition barrel but i dont think that is related. any suggestions??

[Craig]

Quote:

Originally Posted by oz3litre I'd be very interested to know how to go about doing the job that way Beatle. My GTV needs the 2nd gear synchro fixed one day.

[giulia_veloce]

Quote:

Originally Posted by new alfa75 owne a new problem has shown itself. when the car is warm, sometimes when i turn the key to ignition, nothing happens, it doesnt make a sound, but when i hold the key there for about 5 seconds it starts without hesitation. without jiggling the key or anything(i have a worn ignition barrel but i dont think that is related. any suggestions??

[giulia_veloce]

Quote:

Originally Posted by new alfa75 owne hey, thanks for all the great replies, i checked what my quotes were for, the 900 was just the 2nd gear, and the 2000 was just the 1st, 2nd and 3rd synchros and sleeves. i am in the process of getting used to the double clutching...