[MLB]

Hi,

Porsche's price for an alternator is ridiculous (over $750, AFTER $550+ core refund) !

Witness:

http://www.sonnenporscheoemparts.com/por...alternator

http://www.sunsetporscheparts.com/porsch...alternator

 

My indie mechanic says he can get a bosch (he didnt tell me a part number yet) from SSF for $250 or less.

Anyone know where I can direct order a quality rebuilt bosch for that amount?

 

REASON I want to replace my original is a rattle-y squeal on startup, that at first I feared was the supercharger. But no, pretty sure its coming from the alternator, which quits squealing after a minute or so. Also, there seems to be a significant gap between the halves of the case, which I suppose made water entry easier, and could have led to failure. Lastly, I stripped one of the mounting bolt holes which is important for securing the supercharger, and I was going to helicoil it this spring, but if the alternator is going out, just fix that with a replacement.

 

Actually, maybe its just the bracket (944 126 123 06, for another $250) that contains the threaded hole that got stripped)

 

Thanks,

--Michael

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[williamoss]

I have had great luck ordering rebuilt starter, and a a/c compressor from AutoZone. I get the ones with the Life time guarantee.  Well worth the extra few bucks for piece of mind.

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[pwillissc]

I work in this industry. The same companies sell to Bosch and to AutoZone. Assembled by the same people and tested on the same machines. 

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[MLB]

I found the voltage regulator referred to by Westy in another thread, Kaehler brand, about $15 from ebay.

For that cheap, I will start by ordering one of those, as an emergency spare if nothing else.

FWIW, it looks identical to the Bosch, except for the Mfr name badge in the center, but the Bosch is like 10X the price (depending on where you look)

 

   

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[MLB]

So, to answer my own question about the alternator, it looks like Pelican lists the Bosch re-man for just under $150, after $85 core refund.

I will phone them tomorrow, just to make sure these replacements are actually available at that price. But I wont have my car out of storage until early March, and they usually want the core back within 30 days. I will see what can be arranged.

 

(Unfortunately, I am finding a number of instances where the online sources like Sunset, Sonnen, Gaudin, can have wrong or misleading info on their websites, so telephone verification is the safer bet. This was the case with my recent searching for a correct radiator, and waterpump, as well as alternator)

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[MLB]

Ordered the AutoZone alternator this morning. Surprising how inexpensive, about $130 + $54 core. Hope its not a 'get what you pay for' and lasts for only a year. Pelicans price is @ $230 plus $85 core.

Thanks williamoss and pwillissc, for the pointer to AutoZone.

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[williamoss]

In my 968 I now have from AutoZone, the starter and a Alternator. The first Starter lasted about 7 years, but was replaced under their warranty, The alternator is now about 1 year old.

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[Kaj Hallstrom]

I replaced my starter motor some months ago. Genuine new Bosch 944 604 104 AX.  2 year 24/7 roadside warranty and lifetime defect warranty $368. The old starter lasted 22 years.

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[flash]

i have used the KAE before.  no "real" issues with it, though it does output a slightly lower voltage than the bosch.  fine for most cars.  i had a really big stereo though, and needed every volt i could get.

 

re: alternator - even porsche sends theirs out to be rebuilt.  they don't do it themselves.  they just have a slightly higher level of spec, so you tend to get less "iffy" units. also, they back it up with no hassle.  that being said, i think i may have had a grand total of 2 bad units from other sources, out of the 100 or so units i have changed in the 40 or so years i have been dealing with cars.

 

that being said, it's a bit of a pain in the butt to change an alternator on these cars, so i'm not sure i would go the budget route, if it meant that it stood any chance of me having to do it twice.

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[MLB]

Alternator out was easy since i had so many other parts out of the way. But now i realize that the weak sorta stripped bolt hole reqd for SC mount is actually part of the A/C compressor. Both the front and back (aluminium?) mounts for the compressor seem to have both been seized, and i want to get the back one out too so i can helicoil both. Im nervous about breaking a tab or something

Anyway, another prob is the alt to starter cable. ALL the internal insulation is crispy crackley. Nice for a breakfast cereal, very bad for an electrical comnection. And of course the part (944 607 029 04 manual, -08 tip) is discontinued...

Will probably have to make from scratch, as Robby has never replied to my inquiries...

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[MCL968]

Alternator out was easy since i had so many other parts out of the way. But now i realize that the weak sorta stripped bolt hole reqd for SC mount is actually part of the A/C compressor. Both the front and back (aluminium?) mounts for the compressor seem to have both been seized, and i want to get the back one out too so i can helicoil both. Im nervous about breaking a tab or something

Anyway, another prob is the alt to starter cable. ALL the internal insulation is crispy crackley. Nice for a breakfast cereal, very bad for an electrical comnection. And of course the part (944 607 029 04 manual, -08 tip) is discontinued...

Will probably have to make from scratch, as Robby has never replied to my inquiries...

I have a post on here somewhere with a part number from Summit Racing that I used to replace the charge cable from the alternator to the starter. While you are at it, replace the trigger wire to the alternator and reroute both of them along the wheel well so they stay cooler. It was engineering genius to put two of the most critical (read fire prone) wires in the hottest part of the engine compartment.

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[MLB]

Found it, thanks MCL968

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[Waylander]

I completely rebuild manual starter motors for about $60


I refurbish alternators for about $75


I have done about 10 of each over the last 3 years and they are all still working fine


We get robbed blind because we own a Porsche

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[MLB]

Hi Waylander, i would learn a lot by rebuilding the alt myself but my inexperience leaves me unsure how to find the right rebuild kit and what to watch out for.

Agree about outrageous pricing when the porsche name is attached

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[Waylander]

If you use the Bosch number to search for spares it makes life a lot easier


We have a company over here called Wood Auto they just sell spare parts for starters and alternators


I am sure you can find some where like them in the USA


http://www.woodauto.com


The only big one with alternators is getting the pulley off the rest is pretty simple, the bearings are standard sizes and can be bought for just a few dollars at your local bearing shop.


Plenty of YouTube video to show you how it's done


I also rebuild manual gear linkages, carbon canisters, brake calipers, throttle bodies, ambient temp gauges and steering shafts for the folks on our uk forum and I do it for free just shipping and parts

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[MLB]

Here's a picture of the sticker on my original alternator (generator), with bosch and Porsche part numbers    

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[MLB]

Hey Waylander, my original, as well as AutoZone replacement, alternator both have keyway crescents on the shaft and the pulley, fan, and large flat spacer washer have keyways too.

but I did not notice a key fall out when I took the pulley off the old alternator, and there was no key provided with the new alternator. also the original washer that goes under the pulley nut is one of the wavy Pringles like type, but a split washer with came with the new alternator.

Do I need to find a key for the key way, and should I use the split or wavy washer?

Thanks

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[Waylander]

I don't think it really matters about the washer they are both anti shake / lock washers, the key is an interesting one I'm sure mine had one.


But as long as the nut is done up to the right poundage then you should be fine.

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[snova]

just wanted to put in a note for others.  I tried to find replacement alternator locally in the US.  As most know they are mostly remanufactured now.  Napa, Autozone didn't seem to have them anymore.  Ended up finding at O'Reilly remanufactured by Ultima. Their part number is R111493A.   When I received it, it looked new.  Looked identical to my original Bosch unit with same part number stamped into the housing.  Cost $142.99 with free shipping to my house.  15% off coupon took it down to $121.54.   Core charge was $54. I was able to return in locally at O'Reilly store to get my core charge back.

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[snova]

Hey Waylander, my original, as well as AutoZone replacement, alternator both have keyway crescents on the shaft and the pulley, fan, and large flat spacer washer have keyways too.

but I did not notice a key fall out when I took the pulley off the old alternator, and there was no key provided with the new alternator. also the original washer that goes under the pulley nut is one of the wavy Pringles like type, but a split washer with came with the new alternator.

Do I need to find a key for the key way, and should I use the split or wavy washer?

Thanks

Mine original Bosch unit didn't have a key either.  Only the "spring" washer that you describe.  The rebuilt unit I bought from O'Reilly remanufactured by Ultima came with a lock washer. Just like yours.

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