Van Update

[kevin_standlee]

My mechanic called me at around 7:30 PM last night to let me know that the alternator was indeed failing, and that part of the reason may include the seven-year-old battery, which he recommended I replace as well. I agreed to all that. He asked if he needed to get it done tonight, and I told him, "No, tomorrow is fine! Call me when it's ready and I'll walk over and pick it up." The estimated damage is $417, total parts and labor.

The very fact that he'd offer to stay that late and do the work if it was urgent that I needed my vehicle first thing this morning is one of the reasons I keep taking my vehicle to him. Fremont Wheel & Brake is a lot more than just wheels and brakes!

Comments

[renegade500.livejournal.com]

Ouch on the sticker shock but yeah, it's nice to find someone in this day and age who is honest, does good work and is willing to help you when you need it.

[tkunsman.livejournal.com]

Agreed. I don't think I've ever had a mechanic (other than my brother) call me at 7:30pm to tell me about my car.

Very good place you go to! Impressed too!

[nojay.livejournal.com]

It's unlikely the ageing battery would have caused the alternator to fail -- the squeals you heard are from the alternator shaft bearings (and possibly the rotor touching the stator inside if the bearings are sloppy enough to allow enough free play). A 7-year-old battery is getting on though, and swapping it out now will save you grief later (see my LJ tale passim about autopope and his Swedish Nanny Tank's battery)..

[kevin-standlee.livejournal.com]

What the mechanic said was that the aging battery, being less able to hold a charge as it got older, was likely to make the alternator have to work harder, which caused it to fail. Whether that was the cause or not, I'm better off with both parts replaced, especially before a long trip.

I remember installing the current battery, and it's hard to believe it's been seven years, but I guess that's right. I'm pretty good with some scheduled maintenance -- I had the oil changed just before the Vegas trip, and I'm in the middle of the current 7,000-mile cycle for rotating the tires, so I should be good to go for the Denver trip -- but batteries aren't something I'm apt to remember until they start to fail.