Recommendations on Alternator Rebuld Shop in LA?

Hugh R · 11-23-2007, 05:07 PM

I pulled it today, 12.2 volts at 2000 rpm. Light was coming on. Any recommendations on a rebuild shop in the LA area? Don't want to just go to a place that may or may not have done a 911 one before? Thanks

Formerly Steve Wilkinson · 11-23-2007, 06:14 PM

An alternator's an alternator. Any competent alternator shop can do them for Porsches, Cessnas, Cadillacs, Farmalls, John Deeres...

450knotOffice · 450knotOffice's Garage

I pm'd you, Hugh.

Steve is right, btw (regardless of what Loren might have to say about this).

TexasPete2720 · 11-23-2007, 08:23 PM

I just replaced mine thru Lomita 911, in Lomita. Gotta Derrick to replace it with a brand used rebuilt.
Like Wilkinson said, rebuilt is rebuilt and you'll know its workin when its in.

01sport · 11-23-2007, 08:32 PM

I used Foreign Alternator & Starter in Northridge (near Parthenia and Reseda). Been about a year now and all O.K.

scottb · 11-23-2007, 08:44 PM

Hugh: Foreign Alternator & Starter (FAS) is on Parthenia between Tampa and Reseda (closer to Reseda, on the south side of the street). They did mine several years ago, and I've had no problems since. Very reasonable prices.

911pcars · 11-23-2007, 11:13 PM

BUCHAK GENERATOR & STARTER INC
818-244-5740
5404 San Fernando Rd
Glendale, CA 91203

Sherwood

Hugh R · 11-24-2007, 09:19 AM

Thanks guys. I understand an alternator is an alternator. Just don't want someone with zero experience learning on mine. Sort of like someone learning to do their first pcar valve adjust, but has done plenty of other cars. Just not the same thing.

SandyI · 11-24-2007, 10:46 AM

Get an opinion/price/thought from a Porsche perspective. Call Otto's Venice.

Hugh R · 11-25-2007, 12:32 PM

Ok, the fan came right off. However, I removed all six of the nuts off the back of the housing that are connected the the long bolts that hold the alternator together and I've got the housing on 2"x4" wood and am using a piece of oak and a hammer to hit the nuts which are screwed back on loosely. I can't get the alternator to separate from the housing. I don't see any set screws or anything else. And the Searches I did only said remove the nuts and tap around the six bolts to tap it loose. Am I doing something wrong?

jklaspok · 11-25-2007, 12:44 PM

The alternator pressure fits in to the housing. I took a couple of short 2x4's and set them on the floor at the width of the housing. I then tapped the housing on 2x4's and the alternator separated.

Formerly Steve Wilkinson · 11-25-2007, 01:18 PM

Yes, that is a tight fit. The alternator is held in place against the considerable pressure of the fanbelt not by the six long studs (which after all pass through the plastic airflow guide right where they're nutted in place, so how tight can that be?) but by the interference fit into the fan casing.

If the various 2x4 applications don't work--they usually do--heat the housing with a propane torch for a few moments on the ring that supports the alternator and it should expand enough to release the thing.

Formerly Steve Wilkinson · 11-25-2007, 01:21 PM

Oh, and by the way, Hugh, the alternator shop really doesn't give a rat's ass what kind of car the alternator came from. It's irrelevant. Sort of like needing to know whether the typewriter is used to write fiction or nonfiction if you're trying to repair it. (Remember typewriters? Remember generators?)

Hugh R · 11-25-2007, 03:03 PM

Thanks Steve. I'll try the heat.

rnln · 09:58 PM

Hugh,
I brought mine to a shop near 405 and 22, well known shop around here (for their reputation and price), last me maybe around a year now. Total charge was $100 even. Years ago, I bought their parts to build my BMW's alternator too, and it last years before I sold the car. Let me know if you decide to try them.

BTW, I brought them the whole thing, alt and fan housing in one piece.

caliber60 · 11-27-2007, 08:12 AM

Don't rebuild it. Buy a rebuild one from Porsche dealer for less than $200 plus $30 core charge. I just did my alternator last year. You can not tell it from new. It also comes with warranty.

scottb · 11-27-2007, 08:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by caliber60

Don't rebuild it. Buy a rebuild one from Porsche dealer for less than $200 plus $30 core charge. I just did my alternator last year. You can not tell it from new. It also comes with warranty.

I don't really see the difference in having it rebuilt yourself versus buying a rebuilt from the dealer. Most reputable rebuilders will offer a warranty.

I guess there is one difference -- you pay the "Porsche tax" when you buy it from the dealer.

Lorenfb · 11-27-2007, 08:19 AM

"the alternator shop really doesn't give a rat's ass what kind of car the alternator came from. It's irrelevant."

That's a rather a naive statement. Just like there're marginal engine rebuilders (MM),
so there're marginal alternator rebuilders. Remember, there're junk parts that can
be used, e.g. the bearings, regulator, not replacing the slip rings, & diodes.

"Don't rebuild it. Buy a rebuild one from Porsche dealer for less than $200 plus $30 core charge."

Did we forget about Pelican Parts? They supply most all Porsche parts, & especially alternators.
Don't think that the local Porsche dealers are Pelican advertisers, are they?

scottb · 08:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lorenfb

Did we forget about Pelican Parts? They supply most all Porsche parts, & especially alternators. Don't think that the local Porsche dealers are Pelican advertisers, are they?

Very good point! Pelican gets $245 for a rebuilt, and you have Pelican standing behind it. Given a choice, I'd rather pay Pelican, even if it's a few dollars more than the dealer.

scottb · 11-27-2007, 08:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lorenfb

"the alternator shop really doesn't give a rat's ass what kind of car the alternator came from. It's irrelevant."

That's a rather a naive statement. Just like there're marginal engine rebuilders (MM),
so there're marginal alternator rebuilders. Remember, there're junk parts that can
be used, e.g. the bearings, regulator, not replacing the slip rings, & diodes.

I think the point that was being made is that it doesn't matter if the alternator comes from a Porsche or a Hyundai...an alternator is an alternator. If the rebuilder does quality work, he'll do a good job regardless of the car from which the alternator came. Thus, I would agree with the statement that it's irrelevant that the alternator is from a specific type of car. OTOH, if the rebuilder does shoddy work, he'll do shoddy work on any alternator (as Loren seems to be saying).