What To Do With My Alfa Gtv V6, Specialist Vs Mobile Mechanic

[jonalfaspider 0]

Hi guys, I rescued a gtv v6 from the scrapers last year as I have always wanted to drive a busso (still haven't) anyway I have done a bit of work on her like sorted the reason she was being scrapped the gears wouldn't go in and turned out to be gear housing. I have done all the basic jobs but The problem I have is time and money lol!

 

I sold one off my other projects so have put together a list and My v6 needs,

 

1) cambelt water pump and alternator (I have alternator already)

 

2) brakes are poor, needs compensator replacing (I have one) plus a right brembo rembuilding (quoted £100) and and brakes/system bleeding as when old compensator exploded lol! Emptied out all brake fluid. I'm hoping the pipes don't need doing on top of the compensator.

 

3) exhaust down pipe and rear section (I have down pipe and quads to go on)

 

4) rear doglegs fitted (I have complete ones ready to go on and powerflex)

 

So with this list do I need to take it into a specialist or can I use a mobile mechanic?

 

Option 1) specialist

So with time tight I got a quote for alfa specialist and they would do cambelt kit water pump and fit my alternator for £550 leaving me with the other jobs todo over the summer/this year only problem she won't be ready until next year.

 

Option 2) mobile machanic

 

My friend uses a mobile mechanic who would charge £250 for a full days labour but he's not keyed up to alfas but knows how to do belts, he thinks he can do all the jobs in a day so I would just have to supply parts. I'm thinking maybe a bit ambitious??

 

I of course I'm liking option two but with him not knowing alfas is it a bit risky

 

It's the Cambelt I'm most worried about, does he need any special tools? Is it realistic for a mechanic to get all that done in a day (I can do basic stuff but I'm a slow worker it would take me a lot longer and I wouldn't have a clue how to do belts.

 

So what do you think go for it!! Or have a bit of patience and get it do by specialist. It's doing my head in one week I think one the next another, ahhhh I get my funds through Wednesday so need to make a decision.

 

What would you do?? Any advise much appreciated :-)

 

 

 

 

[K9d 108]

I wouldn't trust a mobile mechanic with no specialist knowledge of Alfas to do the cam belt.

I've watched Smaky do one and its not an easy straight forward job, it needs knowledge and cam locking tools to ensure the timing is spot on. It could turn out to be an expensive way to save £300.

[jonalfaspider 0]

You wouldn't? It will cost me the same as I will have to buy the cambelt kit and water pump but I will get all the extra jobs done.

 

This is my project

 

http://www.squadra916.com/forums/topic/3595-alfa-gtv-v6-project-black-edition/

[LJ_GQV 115]

Why not get the important cambelt change done at a specialist as they will know what to do & get the other stuff done by the mobile mechanic? Sounds like the other stuff is only really putting other bits on so not much different to any other car.

[K9d 108]

You wouldn't? It will cost me the same as I will have to buy the cambelt kit and water pump but I will get all the extra jobs done.

 

This is my project

 

http://www.squadra91...-black-edition/

 

Sorry my bad, I meant wouldn't.

[jonalfaspider 0]

Thanks for the advise guys just read a cambelt guide for the 3.0v6 and it looks very complicated, I think specialist it is

[Smaky 73]

I'll tell you now, a mobile mechanic with no knowledge of Alfas wouldn't even get the alternator replaced in a day. I'm wondering why the alternator has been condemned??? Is it seized???.

 

Other points, rear brake lines always need to be replaced if the compensator has let go, not because of the compensator, but because they always seem to be corroded in that area and the unions twist the pipe at the connection and snap it.

 

The timing of the engine is vital, without the correct tools it's easy to mess it up, also water pump bolts often shear and there are other gaskets which are interfered with unknowingly when you do this job, a general mechanic may not know this and once you have the car back and the engine overheats you'll realise why you needed someone who knew what they were doing, or if they got the timing slightly out (by NOT loosening the cam pulleys which have to be removed anyway to this properly) then you'll need a rebuild as the valves WILL hit the pistons. Exhausts and doglegs are pretty standard jobs, but again there is the knowledge of how to support the car without causing damage to the body, and exhaust fitters are normally the place which cause the damage.

[jonalfaspider 0]

no worries k9d i appreciate the input

 

hi smarky, the battery light is on so assuming the alternator is knackard as the car has been sat for nearly 2yrs

 

crap i was hoping the brake lines would be ok lol!

 

didnt realise how hard the cambelt is a on v6, a few years ago with the help of my dad we did a ts and was quite simple but reading the guide i can see why its a specialist job.