Labor only price quote for radiator, alternator, water pump, and thermostat.

[coolman]

I looked around on the internet and can't find a place that would provide free price quotes. Does anyone know of such sites?

I have a 1994 Q45 car that needs the following to be installed and I already bought the parts: radiator (with hoses), alternator, water pump, and thermostat. I am missing small stuff like gaskets and etc. My question is what would be the approximately labor only cost for a local mechanic to install this stuff? I live in the San Jose, CA area.

I called one garage that quoted me $693 total for labor only (I already have the parts). Is this reasonable or a rip off?

Thanks,

[qship96]

My guess, around 5 hours labor total.

[captainluigi]

George, if i may give my perspective from under the shade tree. i think that is all posible within appx. 6 hrs. + or - .5. you do the math. if i am far off the mark i'm sure others will correct. that said, if you are going to a mech or tech for all your maint. items you just may own the wrong vehicle. don't get me wrong, if you have more $ than time then more power to you. my point being you may want to take a more hands on approach. all of your needs so far are doable w/the help of these very knowledgeable people on this forum.

GLUK

[Q45tech]

Shops [all from dealer to backyard] calculate profit from parts into mix to set labor rate.

We add $20 per hour to $85 per hour when customer bring their own parts and have then sign a disclaimer that THEY WARRANTY the parts they bring.

The rub is when the customer is missing a critical gasket or part this must then be ordered from Infiniti which means the car stays another day or two while we wait, taking up space and attention.

[superuber]

It's simply not worth our while here to install customer parts. To much wasted time with wrong items. If someone is willing to install them go for it.But expect higher rates.

Here's a thought: Do you take your own eggs and bacon to the diner for him to cook for you?

[maxnix]

Here's a thought: Do you take your own eggs and bacon to the diner for him to cook for you?

Why we have IHOPs and Dennys.

I have taken fresh jalapenos from my garden to the pizza place as I detest the pickled ones in comparison. Yup, I warrantied them as better from my stomach.

[superuber]

may as well take your tombstone to him. Hey, you could save $5!

[maxnix]

Ummmmmm.......plastic pizza!

[Q451990]

I have taken fresh jalapenos from my garden to the pizza place as I detest the pickled ones in comparison.

I'm having flashbacks to a Seinfeld episode with a bottle of real Syrup...

[superuber]

..yeah but the syrup is complimentary!

I didn't realize you could bring your own food to IHOP and they'llcook it for free for you. WOW! If this gets out............

Hopefully my plumber will install the water heater I got.

[Haitian_King]

It's simply not worth our while here to install customer parts. To much wasted time with wrong items. If someone is willing to install them go for it.But expect higher rates.

Here's a thought: Do you take your own eggs and bacon to the diner for him to cook for you?

Even if they get the parts from Joe?

[captainluigi]

many of my charterers choose to have their catch prepared by a local eatery.

the rub is they charge the same as off the menu. i guess the thought process is that they just paid big $ to catch a $50.00 dinner they sure as hell aren't going to cook it.

i luv tourist fisherpersons.

[Q45tech]

Part of the parts profit is used to set up a warranty reserve. [My MBA Finance background] so that the real profit doesn't get booked until the warranty expires. Too many people/companies book things before they are real.

Years ago we came to conclusion than non oem parts costs everything you saved in defects and bad customer relations and excess removal labor.

All Infiniti does for warranty is swap out a defective sold part in 12 months, 365 days no leap year..............you must still remove them and present to parts department for evaluation.

The point is if we don't make our 22% markup [MSRP after our discount] we won't take them out if defective you must pay to remove, handle the swap out to Infiniti, then pay to reinstall the replacement part. If the car locks up a lift because of your parts you get to pay extra to store it there and to push it outside and store on premises and push it back in later.

FAIR IS FAIR.

We had one customer bring us 3 Q junk transmissions and we charged each and everytime they failed all within 3 weeks.

[coolman]

Thanks for the replies.

I called repair shops and was quoted $700 labor only on 2 occassions to do a radiator (I got the hoses too), water pump, alternator, thermostat repair and I already have the parts minus the small things like gaskets and etc. I then went on Craigs List and found many Automotive Services being advertised. I found a shop that does BMW, Mercedes, Porsches and are Master Certified Techs who guarantee their work. They charged me only about $390 labor only. So, if the work requires 6 hours, 390/6 = $65 per hour labor cost which is fair enough. I have an appointment with them for this Saturday. So at the end, I was able to save about $300 on the labor.

Does anybody know what other parts are needed for the above repairs, e.g. Gaskets, seals, etc. I was told that the mechanic can use the clamps for the old radiator. I don't want the mechanic to suprise me with hidden fees or charges. I have been ripped off too many times and would like to avoid a repeat of that.

Since I never once change motor oil on a car, it would be impractical for me to do these repairs myself. I once bought a Darlington Resistor and did the labor on this myself using the instructions found on this or related forum sites, but that is about it. Also, I am a Network Test Engineer and make decent money and therefore can afford to pay someone else to do this as long as it is fair.

Thanks,

[maxnix]

Does anybody know what other parts are needed for the above repairs, e.g. Gaskets, seals, etc.

Joe and his crew will and he can ship overnight. Be aware that the lower metal pipe acts as a sacrificail anode and hould be repalced. Bring distilled water adn WAtter Wetter. Good time to convert to OAT coolant after the remaining coolant flushed.

[coolman]

maxnix,

What is this "lower metal pipe" which acts as an anode? I bought from the Scottsdale, AZ Infiniti dealer the radiator Assembly which comes with core and the other stuff. Does this assembly have this "lower metal pipe"?

Thanks,

[maxnix]

Don't know about the assembly, but there is one, and I recall it being the lower one. It is isolated from what I recall. Joe and the crew will know.