[project2501]

Hey Gang,

How does that price sound? The shop I go too seems very honest so I have no reason to doubt the price or their intentions. Just wanted to bounce it off you guys.
Also, on a scale of 1-10, how would you rate the difficulty of replacing the water pump yourself?

Thanks all.

 

[Davo1954]

run away....You can do that pump in two hours.. 5 tops....... take your time, follow advice already on the BB, get to know your engine compartment, a great feeling afterwards and spend the other 400 dollars on.... other cool stuff for the car....
mi dos centavos...

 

[jillian70]

Whoa. That's about $300 more than I paid in LA for a water pump and belts 2 months ago.

 

[Tifosi]

Find a local Alfisti and get help getting it done as they talk you through it for the price of the part + mabe a 6 pack or pot of coffee and some conversation.

$525 is WAY outside a fair price range.

 

[GV27]

The pump is about $100. Don't know what the book says, but it couldn't possibly take a pro more than 2 hours. I'm slow as molasses in winter and I did mine (not really knowing what I was doing) in 2 or 3. Figure $100/hour = $525 seems too high. Are they doing anything else? Ask them to break out the costs for you.

For a "fair" price you should be paying parts + maybe a small markup and time "by the book" at around $100/hr depending on the location, mechanics experience, etc. If you're paying less you're getting a deal, significantly more and you're getting screwed. Don't nickel-and-dime them on either parts or labor - I'd rather pay a specialist $120 per than some guy at the gas station $80 per - but they should be able to tell you what they're charging you for and why. Look the parts up at Centerline or IAP or Vick's or wherever. If they're charging you 10% more or so, then whatever. If they're charging you like twice on parts, tell them you'll supply the parts. If they're reasonable on the labor and within 10 or 20% on the price of parts though I like to just let them order the parts.

Or do it yourself. I'm talking about what I always do when I take a vehicle to a shop but out of 5 vehicles I've had a total of 5 shop visits in the last 5 years or so......

Anyone know how much time "the book" says this job should take?

 

[Tifosi]

Oh, and AFA difficulty level, I don't like the 1~10 scale onnaconna my 1 might be someone elses 8 or vice~versa :shrug:

You ever change the head gasket on a Briggs and Stratton 3 or 5hp lawnmower engine without taking the engine off the mower chassis?
It's somewhere in that range of technical expertise requirement.
Straight forward, not a lot of tools, with just a little snag here or there and some crap in the way to move first.

 

[ghnl]

I would say its on the upper end of cost estimates but not as far out of line as others might imagine. The pump costs ~ $100. Shop labor rates can be from $60-$100/hr. To R/R the water pump requires removal of the radiator so add a couple of radiator hoses, some fresh coolant & a new fan belt to the parts bill. To get the pump off one either has to remove a couple of studs behind the crank pulley (can be quick & easy or a real PITA - no way of knowing ahead of time) -or- remove the crank pulley - again sometimes it is easy, sometimes it aint.

If I were estimating the job I'd plan more than 2 hours and then hope for the best. So, lets say ~$150 in parts & ~4 hours X $75 in labor and we're getting close to the estimate you were given.

 

[Tifosi]

To R/R the water pump requires removal of the radiator

It does?.....

 

[project2501]

Thanks for the replies guys, keep em coming.

What would you consider a fair price?

I'm searching the forum now looking for replacement guidance.

This looks like the correct part.
IAP - Water Pump

Thanks guys, I welcome all input and guidance.

 

[ghnl]

It does?

OK, maybe not mandatory but a lot easier with the radiator out of the way. Especially if one is going to do the shop manual way - removing the crank pulley.

 

[Tifosi]

Eeeww..... screw that!
Or rather don't. Just go the stud removal route instead

Besides, you can't bleed proper like to ensure a successful repair if you don't grouse your knuckles on radiator fins.
I mean there's little else to create an acceptable blood sacrifice with in the process unless mabe you crush a finger under a drive belt or stab yourself in the palm with an open ended wrench.
Otherwise you'd just be looking for an excuse to make yourself bleed and as we all know, that doesn't count unless its a chicken or a kitten.

 

[papajam]

Anyone know how much time "the book" says this job should take?

Series 3 Spider is 3.25 hours.

 

[Tifosi]

So about 90 minutes then

 

[Steve Ray]

It does?.....

It does. Because you have to remove the crank pulley to remove ONE BOLT, if I remember from doing it 20 years ago. It's behind the pulley and can't be pulled out otherwise.

Pulling the radiator takes no time at all. While it's off, if your plastic fan is old and yellow, change that as well.

 

[ossodiseppia]

Series 3 Spider is 3.25 hours.

So, what you are saying it that $500 is about right.

 

[Duke58]

Drive it out here to Albuquerque this weekend and I'll do it for a 12-pack of Pilsner Urquell.

 

[Gubi]

Man. Not sure where you guys live, but around here if I got out of the shop for $500 for everything involved in a Spider water pump replacement by a guy who I trusted to do the job properly I'd be pretty happy.

 

[ossodiseppia]

Man. Not sure where you guys live, but around here if I got out of the shop for $500 for everything involved in a Spider water pump replacement by a guy who I trusted to do the job properly I'd be pretty happy.

I think most independent wrenches are charging close to $100/hr.

 

[jillian70]

This thread has really enhanced my appreciation for my Alfa shop!

 

[Tifosi]

$89.50 for the part, say $15 shipping for a total of $104.50
$104.50 - $525 = $420.50
$420.50 / 3.25 hours = $129.38 dollars an hour
Take off $20~$25 for coolant disposal and replacement and you're still looking at over $120 an hour.

Did you ask if that $525 was if they supplied the part at thier price (and what was that price?) and if you'd get some knocked off the overall if you supplied the part yourself? (or are they one of those places that will use no parts except the parts they supply?)

@ Steve Ray:
The pump definitely can be removed w/o removing the crank pulley or radiator. You double nut and remove the offending stud.
Lots a threads in this very forum discussing and describing the technique along with a couple showing photos of same and exactly how I did mine about 3 years ago.