Re: SPICA Belt Cost

["Dean W. Cains" <dwc@domain.elided>]

Hi Damian:

If you're paying someone to do the job, and they know how to do it 
correctly, $50 isn't at all unfair.  Don't let a non-Alfa mechanic do this 
job, though, which should almost go without saying, with regards to an old 
Berlina or any other 105/115.  The alternator/water pump belt has to come 
off, then the Spica belt cover, before the Spica belt can be replaced.  It 
takes me maybe 1/2 hour on my '74 Spider, but that's quicker than most 
because my car has no fan on the water pump and no fan shroud on the 
radiator, so there's a bit more room to work in.  Why not give it a shot 
yourself?  Unlike a cam belt, if you put the Spica belt on wrong, no damage 
will be done.  It's also a nice skill to have, if you become stranded 
somewhere with a broken belt, which IMO is most uncommon.

Regards,

Dean
'74 & '87 Spider's


At 05:26 PM 2/6/2003, you wrote:

> Date: Thu, 6 Feb 2003 11:20:32 -0800
> From: "Damian Magista" <magista@domain.elided>
> Subject: SPICA Belt Cost
>
> I was quoted $50 for a SPICA timing belt (for my Berlina). Is this what
> they run or were they yanking my chain? I thought it was a bit high
> considering that the alt belt was only about $5.
>
> I will certainly replace it no matter what it costs but I just want make
> sure I'm not being fleeced.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Damian
>
> Damian Magista
> 72 Berlina
> 87 Milano <-- getting an alignment at this moment
--
to be removed from alfa, see /bin/digest-subs.cgi
or email "unsubscribe alfa" to majordomo@domain.elided