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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.
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.
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.
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?
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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