[Vwdiesel] Changing alternator on 03 TDI

[Tad]

The local trusted VW/TDI independent tells me that he will only install new
Bosch OEM alternators.

Sure, this could have something to do with being able to charge a bigger
markup, but probably has more to do with saving himself from come-backs and
having to do the same work twice if a part fails.

On Mon, Nov 16, 2009 at 10:28 AM, Herold, Walter L <
Walter.Herold at cengllc.com> wrote:

> I'm not knocking after market parts suppliers, but for some odd reason, I
> have found out, over the years, to stick with strictly VW OEM parts.  They
> seem to last much longer than after market ones
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: vwdiesel-bounces at vwfans.com [mailto:vwdiesel-bounces at vwfans.com] On
> Behalf Of Tad
> Sent: Monday, November 16, 2009 1:17 PM
> To: Val Christian
> Cc: vwdiesel at vwfans.com
> Subject: Re: [Vwdiesel] Changing alternator on 03 TDI
>
> Val - rebuild quality aside, you seem to have terrible longevity from your
> alternators.  Is there something about your environment or usage that taxes
> them excessively?
>
> On Sun, Nov 15, 2009 at 5:02 PM, Val Christian <val at mongo.mongobird.com
> >wrote:
>
> > I replaced my OEM Bosch alternator on my 03 TDI at 45,000 miles.
> >
> > I used an Autozone sourced "lifetime" warranty alternator,
> > which subsequently failed, although not as catastrophically
> > as the OEM one, at 99,000.
> >
> > The second Autozone alternator is now in the car with 129,000
> > miles, and I am expecting that sometime in the next 10 to 20,000
> > miles I'll be replacing it again.
> >
> > In my 91 IDI Jetta, I replaced the brushes in the OEM alternator
> > at 38,000 miles.  Again at 61K and again at 83K, and again at 110K.
> > At 128K, I replaced the alternator with a Autozone lifetime alternator,
> > which was subsequently replaced at 152K, 191K, 239K and 288K.  Since
> > I still own the car, I expect to put another in sometime in the next
> > 30K.
> >
> > I am sure that there is some difference between the various rebuilds, and
> > I'm sure that I have had poor rebuilds in various parts I've gotten, but
> > I have had reasonable luck with Autozone and other lower-end retailers.
> >
> > I can also tell you that I went through 4 starters for the TDI from
> > Advance auto, and recently found out that they were supplying a 1.1 kW
> > starter, rather than the 2.0 kW starter that application requires.
> > Fortunately, the starters were easy to swap out.  A real pain.  Turns
> > out that Autozone spec'd the correct 2.0 kW starter, but I went to
> > Advance because their price was $20 less.  Because they had the wrong
> > starter listed...
> >
> > I'll stop, as this is long, and perhaps it doesn't matter much to most
> > people.  They get their parts where they can, and were it works timing
> > wise.  I get from my local Autozone and Advanced, and they all know me
> > by first and last name, and my cell phone number.  I also order from
> > several mail-order places specializing in VWs and similar parts.  In
> > general, I'm very happy with my suppliers.  Then again, I could be
> > unusual.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > >
> > > I have a place several miles from me that rewinds our "small" 100 hp
> > > electric motors, I haven't taken anything to them myself but I think
> > > they do automotive alternators as well, might be worth a shot the next
> > > time my $200 vw alternator craps out.
> > > On Nov 15, 2009, at 12:39 AM, William J Toensing wrote:
> > >
> > > > Loren's point is well taken. The one point I wanted to make was if
> you
> > > > have a GOOD auto electric repair shop that does their own repair &
> > > > does not farm their work out, you are probably better off having them
> > > > overhaul your alternator, starter, etc., rather than buying a
> > > > "rebuilt" unit.
> > > > Bill Toensing, Nevada City, CA
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> > > >
> > > >
> > >
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