150k+ miles.
Starter?
We have radio, lights & fuel pump but nothing else.
Mechanic next door got it to start by smacking the starter.
He says needs a new starter.
$200 for the starter + 2-1/2hours labor. ($400 total)
I saw it, that starter is way down at the bottom of the engine & right tight to the fire wall. Not a place I’d want to go!
Is he overcharging us? He says it will cost at least $200 more if we take it to a shop.
If he’s right on the time required, why should he charge shop rate? He doesn’t have a shop’s overhead to pay. Someone will tell you where to google for standard shop rate, job time, and starter cost.
I checked the price for the starter, it’s pretty close to his quote. He is allowed to a bit of mark-up.
But then, we did the math & he’s charging us $88/hour!!!
I think we need to renegotiate!
2 1/2 hours? Maybe for a DIYer who has never done it before, but not a mechanic. WHy don’t you call a shop or two for estimates?