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Speaking of alternators, how do we make them last longer?

spoulson

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Feb 5, 2003
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2,908
Location
Worton, MD
Mine just died. At least I think it's the alt. I was a few blocks from home when I realized why it was for the last 3-4 weeks my car was knocking so bad, misfiring, and now ABS light and radio cutting out, the sure sign. I had a Mitsu alt from JNZ from back in Aug 07. *sigh*

I expected it to last longer. I'm sure missing the top manifold heat shield doesn't help, and having two amps w/ sub isn't great, either. I'm considering taking out the sub/amp. I listen to talk show podcasts 99.999% of the time anyway.

Anyone interested in a Clarion 200W monoblock and 10" kicker sub/box configured for 400W@2ohm? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
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Polish

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Jan 10, 2005
Messages
8,936
Location
NE, IN
+1 Heat shields.

That is the biggest thing, imho.

The amp will only kill it if you jam out ALL the time, otherwise it shouldn't really bother it or shorten it's life much at all.
 

ktmrider

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Joined
Sep 10, 2007
Messages
3,128
Location
Tempe, AZ
+2, heat shields AND keeping fluids away ( PS and engine ).
One note, we have a local place that rebuilds alternators to spec. They can even bump up the amperage/windings for specific needs and offer a good warranty. I also understand they use better quality electronics ( diode pack and regulator ) than the chain stores.
If you have something like that local look into it.
 
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I got one too

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Joined
Apr 1, 2004
Messages
114
Location
San Diego, CA
+3 on heat shield.

My manifold heat shield is on, but not the O2 housing heat shield. I'm sure without the O2 heat shield the radiant heat is shortening the life of the alternator. I'm planning on wrapping my tubular O2 with heat wrap this weekend. I've killed 2 alternators in two years! Maybe it's just the crappy Kragen alts?!
 

jepherz

Staff member
Joined
Aug 8, 2004
Messages
7,877
Location
KC, Missouri
All BMWs have cooling ducts on their alternators. Some even are liquid cooled. It'd be cool to integrate something like that since our engine bays are so darn hot.
 

atc250r

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Sep 11, 2003
Messages
13,235
Location
Orange County, NY
Leave it on the shelf. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dunno.gif

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rofl.gif
 

iLLeffeKt vr-4

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Jul 26, 2004
Messages
2,153
Location
NYC
Or on Jack Stands. JSBFTMFW. +4 on heat shields.
 

GreenGSX

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May 15, 2005
Messages
681
Location
Rochester, New York
Move it to the back side of the block where it belongs anyway. Once I moved mine a few years ago I haven't had one alternator fail yet. That includes the 4500 miles we put on the One Lap VR4 using the JNZ alternator relocation kit.
 

iLLeffeKt vr-4

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Jul 26, 2004
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NYC
That only works if you got rid of the A/C
 

Brianawd

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Apr 18, 2005
Messages
2,117
Location
Portland OR,
Quote:
Move it to the back side of the block where it belongs anyway. Once I moved mine a few years ago I haven't had one alternator fail yet. That includes the 4500 miles we put on the One Lap VR4 using the JNZ alternator relocation kit.



That will not work for me as I still have a working AC with r12. It works so well that on a 90-100deg day, I still have to turn the ac down because it gets to cold inside the car /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 

Quoting spoulson:


I expected it to last longer. I'm sure missing the top manifold heat shield doesn't help,




I'm sure missing the top manifold heat sheald DOES help... Alternator needs to stay cool. Had a BMW in the garage yesterday wich had an liquid cooled one, and it was pretty awesome. Never saw that before in "real-life". Very nice find from BMW(even though i'm not sure if the "original find" was from BMW)
 

dmj

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Feb 2, 2008
Messages
673
Location
orlando FL
Some Caddilacs have the watercooled alternator also, PITA to remove when they go bad though.
 

turbowop

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Apr 29, 2001
Messages
11,971
Location
Yakima, WA
Brian, where does your wastegate dumptube terminate? The one I got from FP I extended with some of that cheap flexible exhaust tubing you can get from Autozone. It just clamps on with a U-bolt. I extended mine about an inch below and behind the front crossmember.
 

CarRacer

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Joined
Jun 28, 2007
Messages
4,371
Location
Shakopee, MN
^ I did. There's a photo in the other alternator thread. I had issues yesterday with it. I installed a gusset to stiffen the shield and keep it from rattling. The alternator wires were touching the shield and the extended drive heated up the shield enough to melt the insulation and shorted the wire. I bent the shield away and all is well.
 

+5 Heat shield.
I once bought the cheap alt from napa, died within 2 days. When I went back I had them test the exchange, it was bad. The next three we tested were also bad. In the end I bitched and moaned until they gave me the full rebuild for the price of the cheap one.

Strange, as I usually have good luck with napa.....shows you never can tell.
 
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spoulson

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Joined
Feb 5, 2003
Messages
2,908
Location
Worton, MD
Ok, I'll be putting that top heat shield on for sure.

For the record, I ended up getting the alternator rebuilt at a local shop with heavy duty regulator for $150 with 2 year warranty.

Btw, R&R the alternator is a HUGE pain in the arse. Too many hard to reach bolts that must be undone with hand wrenches.
 
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