Thread: Alternator — preventative servicing

I think it can be a good idea, but would depend on where you live and where you take your D3/4. If it never leaves a city environment then I'd just wait for it to fail as the cost to tow isn't a biggie. But if like me you live in a remote area then a failure would be a major drama so replacement would be a good idea. Question then is whats a good age to replace it?

...and is there any hint when it's starting to fail?

I pulled mine down at 250,000km and the brushes were only half worn, so it’s more likely a diode failure which is at a random interval.

I recommend 150k interval. This is based on years of experience with these engines/ alternators. I would say that rectifier failure or stator shorts to earth seem to be the common cause of death. Some pretty dramatic, too😅

I recently read a thread on the disco 3 UK site where there is a "How to" overhaul your alternator , I am not sure if the parts are available readily in Australia or what the costs are compared to a new one. Would be keen to do the exercise on the costs to overhaul it.

I bought a new spare not long after buying the car , so will likely wait till it fails then just change it.

Cheers Ean

I had the alternator on our D1 overhauled at about 180,000 after it started playing up. It was a while ago and I can't remember the details, but from memory the work included new brushes.
I have heard of people having crud cleaned out of their alternators.
An alternator is such an essential thing that you wouldn't want to skimp on it.

Changed mine ay 160k , kept old one as a spare .

Just remember that ELF are not that uncommon. So you could be removing a unit that is stable to replace with a new faulty unit or one that fails in short order!