Alternator

[RangeRoverHP]

In my experience the Bosch rebuilds are junk. I've seen them last four days to nine months. Just my experience. You can replace them 'till the cows come home. Because you will. And I have. But is it worth it?
A Mag, or Denso unit is worth the money. IMO. I haven?t had an issue ever with either.
Can't comment on local rebuilds. Did it once. Didn't work out. May have been the shop. It goes back to that "Is it worth it" thing.

 

[emnat]

Any thoughts on the Mean green????

 

[Robbie]

Any thoughts on the Mean green????

mixed feelings. i have it, and have been running it for about a year+. had some build issues when i first got it, returned to MG for repair, and been running great since then. whines a bit, but otherwise good to go. but honestly, there wasn't much out about them when i first installed mine, and now after reading some people's comments, not sure if i would actually buy one again. seems build quality is lacking.

 

[johnnyx]

Hey Jason, yeah my original Alt just died (wouldnt charge) and now three of the last four (including the one in my DI right now are dying the "howling/growling" kind of death... my guess is the bearings they use are SHIT... that is if they use new bearings... im beging to wonder if the shop is just "regreasing the bearings" and replacing the "diods" what ever the hell those are...

then when the alt grease runs out and they start howling/growling the extra friction starts to build up heat which kills the "diods"... cause the last three died the same death...

start howling/growling...
then tach starts bouncing...
then battery starts slowly dying
then i have to replace alt

it runs quite for a several months
then howling/growling starts up...etc...etc...etc...

So this "howling/growling" thing... Mine's been doing that (something under the hood has....) for a couple months now. It started quite faintly and more recently has becoming almost embarassing when stopped and in neutral.

I'm not positive it's the ALT, but putting my head under the hood I'd bet $20.00 that it's the culprit.

If I grab the throttle cable and give it a tad of RPMs, it appears to go away, but I'm still not liking it at all.

Sounds like classic alternator failure?

(I'm also getting the P0171 and P0174 codes...left and right bank too lean...but that's another story... )

Comments? Suggestions?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Robbie]

could be anything with bearings in there making that sound. my alternator didn't make any sounds when it went out. just typical electrical issues. my p/s pump started to make grinding sounds on it's way out though. but could also be tensioner, water pump, etc. just have to open the hood and isolate it.

 

[johnnyx]

Thanks Robbie. Yeah, I think the stethoscope (sp?) trick might be in order to better narrow it down.

 

[Asolo3j]

So I ended up buying a new Marelli from DAP Inc for $300. I took off the old one last night and what a PITA it is to ge tthe belt off. I loosened the belt tensioner and after some choice words and cut knuckels the belt came off. I am a bit worried that I may not be able to get the belt back ON. Is there a trick to it?

I am pretty happy to say that it is the original that I am replacing. Manufac. in 1994 and it has 100K on it... doesn't owe me anything. I also need to get a new battery as mine is fried. Wont hold a charge at all. Looks like I might get a marine gell G-34.

 

[GregFrench]

Bosch are junk. After going through 5 in 2 months, the regional manager actually sent me my NEW magnet murelli for free with a bunch of Bosch t-shirts and hats, and a personal $20.00 check for all of my trouble. I will never buy Bosch again, but at least the Bosch people are high quality.