Alternator options and install questions

[nrets617]

Regarding my MY74 911. Indy tells me my alternator needs to be replaced (as well as battery) and he has told me it has an internal voltage regulator. I asked about rebuilding mine and their recommendation was to purchase new from Valeo for $295. Labor quote is 4 hours!

So my questions; am I getting the best advice on the alternator replacement and is 4 hours reasonable to "remove and replace" an alternator? Porsche is located in Miami.

Also, as per Pelican, "all 911's up to 1981 has external regulators." So either the shop is incorrect, the Pelican parts tech article is wrong, or at some point a newer (post 1981) alternator was installed with an internal regulator (if that is even possible). Comments appreciated here as well.

[Jdub]

Yes, 4 hours is reasonable for this task and your car, like mine, was updated to the Valeo with internal regulator - no surprise there this is really common for our cars. As to rebuild, I often preach to rebuild, but I am bucking my own advice and installing a new (not rebuilt) Valeo this weekend - I got one rebuild out of the last one (2000) and I won't take a chance on it now.

Your tech doesn't want to have to guarantee a rebuild by a 3-rd party job unless they really trust them. For them better to install a new one and have a direct replacement for their work (plus maybe Labor) if the unit is dead on arrival or fails otherwise. So consider the guys doing the work.

OTOH, it is not a difficult part to get to, and you can polish the fan, which lasts about a week before dulling, and spray some semi-gloss that will also fade, and smack the unit to center the fan so it actually spins...

[Eli W]

Don't rebuild.

It is not worth it, I did it last year and just installed a new valeo this past week because my rebuild failed.

The install is easy really plenty of info on how to do it and if you can turn a wrench you can do it your self.

I had a local very good shop install my rebuild and the belt would slip and squeak. The last one I just bought the the new alternator through them around the same price you were quoted and did it my self and the belt does not make a peep.

Read the info on it.

The hardest part is getting the fins that direct the air flow over the motor off the fan assembly. Leave it in place with all the wiring in place so you don't have to fish them through again. Take your time and enjoy the process.

[turbo951]

In the starter alternator shop. I would say the valeo is not the best . We do see alot of those come across the counter for repair.. This is just my opinion, Bosch is a better unit than Valeo its more in cost but has better parts ... My 2 cents Thanks Russ Oh and the rebuild is the better way to go. An alternator only has a few moving parts . If its tested correct when completed it will be a much better unit usually Thanks again

[tobluforu]

Rebuild, had mine done years ago, still going. But maybe your shop knows the work that is done at the shop he would bring it to.

[grizzfan]

+1 for turbo951's comments. He just rebuilt mine (Marshal-SEV) and it's a beautiful piece of work and a nice piece of craftsmanship. More economical to rebuilt too.

Tom

[nrets617]

Originally Posted by turbo951

In the starter alternator shop. I would say the valeo is not the best . We do see alot of those come across the counter for repair.. This is just my opinion, Bosch is a better unit than Valeo its more in cost but has better parts ... My 2 cents Thanks Russ Oh and the rebuild is the better way to go. An alternator only has a few moving parts . If its tested correct when completed it will be a much better unit usually Thanks again

Originally Posted by grizzfan

+1 for turbo951's comments. He just rebuilt mine (Marshal-SEV) and it's a beautiful piece of work and a nice piece of craftsmanship. More economical to rebuilt too.

Tom

So if I go with a rebuilt Bosch unit, it will have an external regulator; correct? I'm in Miami; I have no idea if there is a good local shop to rebuild the alternator. I imagine I can mail it anywhere to rebuild. "Turbo951" what do you charge? Thanks.

[turbo951]

An Internal reg is really a better deal if thats how yours has been set up ..Iam not sure what alt you have .If you can take pic and post it that would help . I cant tell you exactly the charge because the parts you need are inside.. If i was you email Tom he can tell you how his process went,,,, Thanks sir We are very fair with with Pelican members ... We can rebuild whatever ..

[larrym]

Originally Posted by turbo951

An Internal reg is really a better deal if thats how yours has been set up ..

X2

- i b'ot an IR Valeo from ebay (well- known LA area seller) when this happened to me 4 yrs ago - it's fine - the only issue is some rewiring so you can use the IR on the older car

- mine came with the instructions to do it

my rebuilder shop says Valeo now owns almost all the euro alternator production

Bosch units in the 84-89 Carreras had a rep for only 30K life - i have one of those as well - rebuilder had to build it inside the fan housing cuz it was corroded into the housing so bad that he was afraid he'd break it - not enuf miles on it yet to say if it was worth the trouble

.

[onboost]

Originally Posted by nrets617

I'm in Miami; I have no idea if there is a good local shop to rebuild the alternator.

Since you're in Miami you should call or go-by Vertex..

Porsche Alternator &amp Engine Electrical

[911 envy]

I just purchased a new alternator from or host. I believe it a O.E.M. Is that a third option along with Bosch and Valeo? I’m assuming it is not OEM as in original Porsche.

[mysocal911]

Originally Posted by larrym

X2

- i b'ot an IR Valeo from ebay (well- known LA area seller) when this happened to me 4 yrs ago - it's fine - the only issue is some rewiring so you can use the IR on the older car

- mine came with the instructions to do it

my rebuilder shop says Valeo now owns almost all the euro alternator production

Bosch units in the 84-89 Carreras had a rep for only 30K life - i have one of those as well - rebuilder had to build it inside the fan housing cuz it was corroded into the housing so bad that he was afraid he'd break it - not enuf miles on it yet to say if it was worth the trouble

.

Bosch units were never installed as an OEM alternator in the '84-'89 3.2 Carreras. They were all Valeos, which were marginally reliable over time, the regulators.

[wazzz]

My '88 was equipped with a Paris-Rhone. Still has it, I rebuilt it at 100kmiles.