986 Alternator = £986!

[Mogul]

Cripes! Just been quoted cira £1k equivalent for a replacement alternator from my local Porsche centre - and that's for the part only and on an exchange basis!

Original one done for after 180k km over 13yrs.

[Trev450]

What a rip off. See here: http://www.porscheshop.co.uk/acatalog/porsche_caym...

[WinstonWolf]

You should be able to get it rewound for a fraction of the cost if you can find a decent local electric motor place.

[Mogul]

I will DIY the removal and replacement and the recovery driver who got me home gave me the details of an auto-electrician in Geneva who rebuilds them so I'll may try that first.

Regarding the reconditioned units that are available on the web, when you see such parts offered on an exchange basis, I guess that you are supposed to return the old part upon which you get your refund, but are you free to keep your old part and swallow the amount that would have been refunded if it is uneconomic to post it back?

[Trev450]

Mogul said:

Regarding the reconditioned units that are available on the web, when you see such parts offered on an exchange basis, I guess that you are supposed to return the old part upon which you get your refund, but are you free to keep your old part and swallow the amount that would have been refunded if it is uneconomic to post it back?

I don't see there's much they could do if you don't return the old one, especially since they've made a surcharge to cover against non-returns.

[Cerberaherts]

Euro car parts sell them way, way cheaper. Google your nearest branch.

[thegoose]

It's usually just the regulator that's bolted on the back that fails - c£35 for a replacement. Your rebuild man will be able to test it though to see what it needs. I had a BMW 645Ci one done last year - I expected a regulator but instead it needed the brushes and commutator - had to wait an hour (the place was 30mins drive away hence waiting) and it cost £90.

[Mogul]

Thanks guys. Half way through getting the alternator out. I think I might leave it overnight with WD-40 on that rusty rear bushing as I haven't been able to budge it yet.

Eurocarparts doing Bosch recond units with a free wheel pulley for £270 (£378 incl surcharge) sounds like a good deal if I need one (MSRP allegedly £1,503.55) but as above, it's likely to be the voltage regulator that has failed and I found a nice little video showing voltage regulator replacement...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QtyP7AyZxwg

[Cerberaherts]

Slacken the long bolt that passes from the front of the alternator through the bushing, then give it a sharp tap with a hammer. That will shift the bush, then remove the bolt..

[Mogul]

It sounds easy but there's rust on the visible part of that bushing but will have another go tomorrow after an overnight WD-40 soak. Quite funny that the Pelican guide states that a rubber mallet on the bolt should budge it. Others seem to suggest using a 3kg sledge! I've had a quick go with the latter but no joy but the seat is still in so I don't have much room to swing it.

[Longman66]

have a look on euro's other site , carparts4less , same item but £12 cheaper

[Mogul]

So the WD-40 worked overnight and a couple of chaps with a hammer with a drift on the right hand pulley bolt budged the bushing back by about 1-2mm, enough to lift it out of the channel and the alternator came out.

Got the back panel off the alternator but couldn't quite get the voltage regulator off (may need an impact screwdriver).

More worryingly, I noticed a bit of oil on the rear of the alternator so I peered into the void from whence the alternator had come and I found a few table spoons worth of oil trapped in various chocolate bar shaped rectangular recesses on the engine block/cylinder head but haven't got much idea as to where it could be coming from... Any thoughts?

[Mogul]

Alternator 'rebuilt' with a new voltage regulator and tested for under £100. Will put it back in today but slightly worried about the oil that I've found on the block as I can't trace the source...

[Bullet-Proof_Biscuit]

Mogul said:

So the WD-40 worked overnight and a couple of chaps with a hammer with a drift on the right hand pulley bolt budged the bushing back by about 1-2mm, enough to lift it out of the channel and the alternator came out.

More worryingly, I noticed a bit of oil on the rear of the alternator so I peered into the void from whence the alternator had come and I found a few table spoons worth of oil trapped in various chocolate bar shaped rectangular recesses on the engine block/cylinder head but haven't got much idea as to where it could be coming from... Any thoughts?

[

Hello. The oil is probably coming from the poften brittle & leaking oil filler tube. It is recommended to be replaced.

Beers, Biscuit