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Old 07-19-2014, 10:56 AM
 
Location: East Terrell Hills
1,158 posts, read 1,724,829 times
Reputation: 1268

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Quote:
Originally Posted by outback1313 View Post

My 1992 Accord has 200K miles and is still on original alternator. Go figure!
My 2006 Civic has 117k miles and still has its original alternator, but I had to replace the original starter three years ago.
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Old 07-22-2014, 12:15 PM
 
Location: Keosauqua, Iowa
9,611 posts, read 21,135,113 times
Reputation: 13662
Quote:
Originally Posted by JohnnyMack View Post
As said Alternators can last 10,000 miles or 300,000 a year or the entire life of the vehicle ...

ONE thing said though it is a 15 minute job?? My feeling is this person has never done it themselves.

On most vehicles it would take at least 15 minutes to deal with the BELT, never touching the alternator.

Some older vehicles you have many belts to deal with, not just one serp belt.
If you're just replacing the alternator all you have to do is loosen the belt that drives it. No need to deal with more than one unless you're changing the belt as well and it's not the outer belt.

I've changed plenty of alternators and don't think I've ever had one that would have taken more than 15 minutes if I really got down to business.
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Old 07-22-2014, 02:23 PM
 
3,046 posts, read 4,085,479 times
Reputation: 2131
Quote:
Originally Posted by duster1979 View Post
If you're just replacing the alternator all you have to do is loosen the belt that drives it. No need to deal with more than one unless you're changing the belt as well and it's not the outer belt.

I've changed plenty of alternators and don't think I've ever had one that would have taken more than 15 minutes if I really got down to business.
Have you ever changed one on a pontiac grand am you have to do it from the bottom if you have the 3.1 v6 motor. Front wheele drive cars are different. The engine"s are stuffed in from the bottom. They are not put in from the top like a RWD car.
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Old 07-22-2014, 04:04 PM
 
Location: Blue Ash OH
150 posts, read 170,166 times
Reputation: 101
200,000 miles on a VW TDI Golf
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Old 07-24-2014, 01:15 PM
 
Location: Keosauqua, Iowa
9,611 posts, read 21,135,113 times
Reputation: 13662
Quote:
Originally Posted by Vannort54 View Post
Have you ever changed one on a pontiac grand am you have to do it from the bottom if you have the 3.1 v6 motor. Front wheele drive cars are different. The engine"s are stuffed in from the bottom. They are not put in from the top like a RWD car.
I haven't changed one on that model, and acknowledge that there are examples that are more difficult to change.

But this isn't universal for front-wheel-drive vehicles. I've replaced several in cars with transverse-mounted engines where it was right on top. The toughest part is usually getting the serpentine belt reset if it comes off of one of the lower pulleys in the process.
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Old 07-26-2014, 03:46 AM
 
Location: Ohio
2,801 posts, read 2,294,919 times
Reputation: 1654
Quote:
Originally Posted by duster1979 View Post
I've changed plenty of alternators and don't think I've ever had one that would have taken more than 15 minutes if I really got down to business.
What is this really "got down to business", it was said 15 minutes TOTAL and that is NOT possible.
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Old 02-05-2016, 09:56 PM
 
1 posts, read 982 times
Reputation: 10
I am replacing my alternator after only two and a half years. What gives? It's a $500 repair, and I can't really afford it, having $700 pet bill, tax bill and anticipating replacing tires and brakes this year. Advice?
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Old 02-05-2016, 10:00 PM
 
9,694 posts, read 7,327,792 times
Reputation: 9931
my toyota has the orignal alternator on it, its 31 years old
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Old 02-05-2016, 10:01 PM
 
Location: Southern NH
2,541 posts, read 5,823,962 times
Reputation: 1762
Not a frequent repair. Did one one a Camry once but it had over 200k on it. Original alternator on:

2000 Toyota Sienna 265k
1996 Acura RL 251k
2004 Honda Pilot 206k (still own it)
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Old 02-05-2016, 10:59 PM
 
Location: Denver
3,373 posts, read 9,150,561 times
Reputation: 3427
My 2000 Audi A4 had 195k on it when the alternator stopped charging.

We took it out and replaced the brushes. It is happily charging and it just crossed 215k.

The sad reality is the oem one that came with the car is such a higher quality one than you get at a big box parts store
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