Shop time info

[rocketman]

Is there any good web site that gives approximate hours of shop time for labor to do certain repairs on a Mooney? I just had my alternator replaced in my 201  and was charged 5 hours for labor. Seems excessive to me. It was replaced with a new alternator, simple and straightforward.

[KSMooniac]

I don't believe there is a flat-rate type book for us like there is in the automotive world.  

 

As one who has personally changed an alternator, I'd say you got hosed.  Should be two hours give or take IMO.  Maybe a bit more if you had them put a new belt on which requires pulling the prop.

[N601RX]

Lycoming publishes a list of times for all the parts for their engines. It doesn't include cowl removal. I can send you a copy if you want it.

[MB65E]

Appears high to me. If they pulled the prop, you got a deal!!

Sounds high but there could have been reasons.

Did they do the troubleshooting? Order and supply the alternator? If they did there would be some time there. Maybe 30 min if they were good.

15min pull cowl,

30 min removal of alternator.

Any cleaning, replacing lock washers, messing with baffing issues. 15 min.

Installing new alternator with new cotterpins(Sorta tedious), and maybe replacing a terminal on the field wire. 40 min.

Run up 10 min to check system.

Close up cowling while checking for other issues.

20min.

Log books, and release paperwork. 30min.

That's just over 3 hours all added up on a good day with no issues. If they pulled the prop add another 1.5hr. So with these times listed it only only allows for a half hour of unexpected items encountered along the way.

What was the shop rate?

I'd ask for an explanation, then try to move on.

Good luck!

-Matt

[Guest]

Without knowing the airframe it's all a wild guess. An older E model with 125 plus or minus screws to get the cowl off, or a J with Camlocs? A K model where you have to drain the oil first before spilling it out the alternator mounting hole. Too many possibilities to give an educated number.

Go back and ask the shop owner for a better understanding of the charges.

Clarence

[Piloto]

A repair job may take less time than on the quote because there was more than one mechanic/worker involved. Labor cost is estimated in man-hours that can include more than one person doing the job. Some shops also include hangar time/space and peripheral costs. Because of these expensive shop repairs many owners are opting for having their planes maintained in their own hangars by competent APs that work on their spare time or like to work on their own. I have been seeing this trend at KFXE. Inclusive AI & APs that drop by the owner hangar giving out business cards. For the owner works out very well because of the reduced cost. Here at KFXE most shops would rather work on a turbine plane than on a piston single.

 

José 

[chrisk]

I recently had the alternator changed on my 231.  I was charged 2.5 hours.  I would think a J would be less.

[N601RX]

Here are the Lycoming Allowances. Some things around the back of the engine on a Mooney may take longer.

Cowl                     1/2 hr

Alternator              3/4hr

Prop                      1-1/2hr

Belt                        1/4

ssp-875.pdf

[jetdriven]

It also says "cowling when required" 1.25 hours. The fuel pump is allowed 1.5 hours but on my J it takes twice that.

5 hours to r&r an alternator along with removing the prop and changing the belt is a pretty good deal. The alternator is no more than a 2 hour job on a J model.