Is $900 (parts + labor) for a new starter reasonable?

[Free Bird]

Well hopefully some more astute members can chime in tomorrow, best of luck on that.

[nords]

General advice - shop for a repair shop when you don't need a big repair. Get advice from a local school bus garage - they won't do the work but probably know the competent mechanics in the area. Have the shop do an oil change and pay for an hour for them to look over your entire bus. Talk to other local bus owners. Use the force. Trust your instincts. One place near me charged dealer prices (they were a large truck repair facility) but ran my OBD2 scan for free and told me that I could hold off on the work but should be aware of it. Expensive but I can trust them. I got an emergency tow to another for a bad fuel pump. $900 later, after dropping the tank and changing the pump, it told me it was a bad ground connection. Honest but didn't offer a discount on the pump work. Lost a transmission line 200 miles from home. The GMC dealer replaced it for $700, then told me the tranny was bad, wouldn't go into reverse, should they replace it for $4200? Big dealership. They had backed my bus into its parking space. I was able to drive it home. The bus garage I bought it from connected me to a local truck shop who put a used tranny in for $1200 (the garage knew the bus it came out of and was sure it was a good one - the bus was being scrapped for a different problem). They have given me good results from looking over both my buses and are now my go-to place. I will bring them cookies every time I go. If you can't do the work yourself, this is *VITAL* to your bus ownership.

[o1marc]

Originally Posted by nords

General advice - shop for a repair shop when you don't need a big repair. Get advice from a local school bus garage - they won't do the work but probably know the competent mechanics in the area. Have the shop do an oil change and pay for an hour for them to look over your entire bus. Talk to other local bus owners. Use the force. Trust your instincts. One place near me charged dealer prices (they were a large truck repair facility) but ran my OBD2 scan for free and told me that I could hold off on the work but should be aware of it. Expensive but I can trust them. I got an emergency tow to another for a bad fuel pump. $900 later, after dropping the tank and changing the pump, it told me it was a bad ground connection. Honest but didn't offer a discount on the pump work. Lost a transmission line 200 miles from home. The GMC dealer replaced it for $700, then told me the tranny was bad, wouldn't go into reverse, should they replace it for $4200? Big dealership. They had backed my bus into its parking space. I was able to drive it home. The bus garage I bought it from connected me to a local truck shop who put a used tranny in for $1200 (the garage knew the bus it came out of and was sure it was a good one - the bus was being scrapped for a different problem). They have given me good results from looking over both my buses and are now my go-to place. I will bring them cookies every time I go. If you can't do the work yourself, this is *VITAL* to your bus ownership.

I went to my local school bus yard to ask about getting some side help on the bus. They were totally uncooperative, said they didn't allow their mechanics to do side work and sent me on my way.

[PNW_Steve]

Originally Posted by o1marc

I went to my local school bus yard to ask about getting some side help on the bus. They were totally uncooperative, said they didn't allow their mechanics to do side work and sent me on my way.

I have asked the same thing at three bus yards and got a similar response. All three told me "no, our guys work on buses all week, they don't want to work on your bus in their off time".

The managers at all three were friendly and spent time answering questions. The last one spent 30 minutes giving me detailed instructions on how to do what I was wanting to hire someone to do......

[Versatile]

Originally Posted by Sleddgracer

a month ago I bought a starter for a 454 gas - top of the line, lifetime warrantee, with my discount, taxes included, it was $110 - took my stepson 1/2 hour to install it ( and I'd bet he stopped for a smoke ) -seeing the price difference between diesel and gas maintenance and repairs is one thing that makes me nervous ( scared ) about buying an old diesel bus - I know there are going to be repairs needed - a statement I made a while ago about estimating the cost of diesel repairs was to take the cost of repairing a gas model and add a 0(zero) is close to reality - doesn't take many of those added on 0's (zeros ) to buy a lot of gas

took my stepson 1/2 hour to install it

Take him on every trip.

[nords]

Originally Posted by o1marc

I went to my local school bus yard to ask about getting some side help on the bus. They were totally uncooperative, said they didn't allow their mechanics to do side work and sent me on my way.

Yeah, I have never gotten a bus garage to do the work or have a mechanic who would do it after hours. I am only suggesting asking them for the names of local places they would recommend. If they do give you advice (like the other person got), it is nice to respond with something non-alcoholic. We have a local place called The Cookie Factory, which is my go-to for thank you stuff. Just drop it off and say you appreciated the advice. The next time you come in, you will get more advice, quite willingly. Of course, it depends on the person. Some people just don't give a crap. No cookies for them.

[Versatile]

Google your starter for a price. Did you keep the old one?

[plfking]

Originally Posted by o1marc

I went to my local school bus yard to ask about getting some side help on the bus. They were totally uncooperative, said they didn't allow their mechanics to do side work and sent me on my way.

Why the 'confused' icon? Isn't this like the 4th or 5th time you've said that an establishment had refused your business?

[PatrickBaptist]

If you are going to rely on shops to do your work for you then get ready to be ripped off is all I can say with the upmost respect. Hope you have plenty of money to burn.

[Versatile]

Shop for parts online just like anything else you buy. After you know the starter price; then see how much was labor.

[musigenesis]

Originally Posted by PatrickBaptist

If you are going to rely on shops to do your work for you then get ready to be ripped off is all I can say with the upmost respect. Hope you have plenty of money to burn.

It's funny how people only use the phrase "with the utmost respect" when they're being disrespectful.

[o1marc]

Originally Posted by plfking

Why the 'confused' icon? Isn't this like the 4th or 5th time you've said that an establishment had refused your business?

I may have relayed the same story a few times. You only think I'm dumb as you think.

[PatrickBaptist]

Originally Posted by musigenesis

It's funny how people only use the phrase "with the utmost respect" when they're being disrespectful.

I sure wasn't trying to be, but I am very blunt about it.
I'm a roadside tech as one of my trades, can't believe how many people roll out on long road trips and can't do much for themselves.
I say these things to encourage people to learn and help themselves, maybe I should encourage them to remain ignorant so I get more calls and make more money.

[musigenesis]

Originally Posted by PatrickBaptist

I say these things to encourage people to learn and help themselves

My $1200 repair bill has encouraged me more than you ever will. Nothing you've said has been helpful to me so far.

[Brad_SwiftFur]

There are times when paying someone with the proper tools, knowledge and facilities simply makes more sense than doing it ourselves. Major engine rebuild (crank and head work)? Some of us have physical limitations, can't crawl under vehicles any more. How about moving?


Yes, paying someone to do work for you costs more, but (hopefully, at least) it's done right by someone who knows what they're doing.

[PatrickBaptist]

Originally Posted by musigenesis

My $1200 repair bill has encouraged me more than you ever will. Nothing you've said has been helpful to me so far.

I'll try to make sure not to speak to you in the future, I am sorry you are so upset. Take care out there.

[PatrickBaptist]

Originally Posted by Brad_SwiftFur

There are times when paying someone with the proper tools, knowledge and facilities simply makes more sense than doing it ourselves. Major engine rebuild (crank and head work)? Some of us have physical limitations, can't crawl under vehicles any more. How about moving?


Yes, paying someone to do work for you costs more, but (hopefully, at least) it's done right by someone who knows what they're doing.

" but (hopefully, at least) it's done right by someone who knows what they're doing." Hopefully indeed. I've just seen way too many hack jobs to trust anyone to do it for me. But like you said, some just can not do it, I'll be in your camp before I know it, my shoulders are ruined as well as my heart. I simply can't afford bloated repair costs, so I figure it out one way or another, I do have have the majority of tools to do most everything other than machine shop work tools. Got everything for the 7.3s, some tools I've fabbed up myself. In my area if you need work done on a diesel you will get shafted, I know I wind up with them later on and hear the horror stories, I'm the guy in my town people bring their 7.3 powerstrokes to. You sure don't want to check out the ferd dealers around here LOL.
Take care bud.