Quick question. What are your thoughts on using an aftermarket re-manufactured vs an OEM new alternator on my XK8. I've always used OEM parts on my other vehicles. The service department gave me the option to save a boatload of $$$. I'm leaning towards OEM but thought I'd see what you all think.
Thanks,
Scott

 

I would get my factory unit rebuilt locally if at all possible.
Cheaper and you are sure it's the correct one too.
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I usually get the alts rebuilt from a local rebuilder. Cost is around $100 to $150 depending on what is wrong.

bob gauff

 

Alternators are not rocket surgery.

An appropriately repaired alternator is as good as original.

 

Ditto, support your local starter/alt. rebuilder. Qualiity parts are the key, buying a reman. unit from India or elsewhere may be fine on one that is easy to replace but, not on a jag v8. I paid $175 for my last one.

 

My vote is with the local rebuilder option too.

I've rebuilt a few alternators. Even the one on the boat that had spent a month underwater worked fine afterwards. Two decent quality bearings ($10 each?) and a set of slip-ring brushes ($10 a pair?) is all it takes as long as the rectifier/regulator module isn't dead. And even then they are usually easy to get hold of. What I like about that option is that you know that top quality bearings (SKF or BTN) have been used and the rest is OE. Whilst it's in bits its easy to clean and paint too. I took the opportunity to upgrade to bearings with seals on both sides, certainly in the boat I think they'll last a lot longer that way.

Good luck.

 

Another vote for local or self rebuild. The latter one being the most preferred.

Garages used to rebuild in house as a matter of course. Not anymore.

The last time I asked for in house rebuilding, the garage owner only agreed
because it was one more required check mark for the apprentice. Otherwise,
it was going to be a purchased rebuilt. That was at least 15 years ago.

 

When I worked at a repair shop in the early 80s there was a guy that used to repair starters/alts/generators for a living before working at the shop.
He would drive around Texas and pick up cores at shops, rebuild the units, drive back to the shops and deliver them.

When I diagnosed an alternator as FAULTY he would ask "what is wrong with it"?????
I wanted to get a replacement but he would not hear of it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The boss agreed and I would have to disassemble, diagnose and repair the unit.

I got good at rebuilding but it is easier to let the 'professionals' get the correct parts and warranty the rebuild. They do this every day for a living.

I sometimes rebuild my personal parts but I don't have time to do every little thing to repair customer cars on a daily basis.

If you have the time and parts it is a good idea to do the work yourself.

bob gauff

 

We generally use commercial rebuilds as well.. It's all about cost and expedient repair times. Customers don't want to wait 2 or 3 days for their car while it sits at my shop with the alternator removed and out for rebuild.

I had an alternator fall recently in my 1997 corvette. Apparently the 97-01 vette used a very specific Valeo alternator which had a unique set of electronics in it in the rectifier. All the vette forum guys warned against swapping out that alternator bc the interchange ones tend to be a mix and match of alternators from any year c5 vette camaros and GM trucks. All will bolt in and work but unless you have the specific electronics they will set off the charging system fault warnings etc.

So I set out to find a local rebuilder. It was intially harder than I thought but I found an old school guy. He was like u ever had one of these apart before? I was like nope. He's like well you are welcome to hang out if you want. He basically ended up walking me through rebuilding my own alternator - except for the soldering / desoldering the brushes with the largest soldering iron I have ever seen.

Works good as new and cost me $120. About $80 less than a commercial rebuild that was a bit of a gamble.

Take care,

George