I do hope that you will give the mechanic hell for what they have put you through and I'd make them not charge you for the newer alternator.

There but for the grace of god go I! I don't even want to think about getting my car fixed. I've spent enough money on it last year. And there is a $200-$600 issue looming, depending on if they have to drill through the distributor cap and what they find. Since it is not affecting the car other than running a little rough, I'm sticking my fingers in my ears and singing "lalalalala" at least until I can get the money together.

Good luck on getting home!