Alternator? OR: How I wasted $300

[carringb]

In a pinch, the turbo hoses can be reused if you hit them with some AquaNet. I've never had one come back off using the hairspray.

Also.... Another reason to beware of shade-tree mechanics is they don't have insurance to cover you if they cause more damage. Even something like a stray bolt in the wrong place can earn you a new motor. All real shops have insurance to cover incidents like that, and affiliated (NAPA, AAA etc) chains will also throw in a nationwide warranty.

[daveb]

Originally Posted by carringb

Even something like a stray bolt in the wrong place can earn you a new motor. All real shops have insurance to cover incidents like that, and affiliated (NAPA, AAA etc) chains will also throw in a nationwide warranty.

I just couldn't get the local Ford shop to believe it was their screwdriver that ended up in my radiator. Have you ever seen a shop that would admit a mistake? Another tow was when a heater hose popped off and they wouldn't even admit that they did that. But I get the shadetree mechanic thing... it can hurt the pocketbook.