Thread: Alternator - to replace or not?

I'd change it over. I'm at 130,000km (December 2013 build) and already thinking about a new one, perhaps sometime around 170,000km or if I ever need to do any major work on the engine (inlet manifolds, turbos etc).

Replaced mine at 160k km preventatively, i was getting some transient errors. Pulley bearing was also getting noisy.

Alternator is at bottom right of engine (when viewed from drivers side) so not related to manifolds or top of engine access. relatively easy changeover, a few extension pieces. Hardest part is the cable at the rear,for some reason JLR decided to make this cable ridiculously short, so you're fitting the locknut and washer on blind.

Thanks guys - I think it makes sense to bite the bullet. Yup, I've seen some comments around that cable - I have large hands, so it'll be a bit of a curse-fest, but its only time, and overall the job doesn't look too challenging...

Originally Posted by Jpdv

Thanks guys - I think it makes sense to bite the bullet. Yup, I've seen some comments around that cable - I have large hands, so it'll be a bit of a curse-fest, but its only time, and overall the job doesn't look too challenging...

You'll be right, I did one in 2hrs once so I could make it to pick my daughter up from school.. Had to come home and recheck everything. But if you allowed 3 you should be fine. I'd keep the old one as the spare.

Originally Posted by Eric SDV6SE

Replaced mine at 160k km preventatively, i was getting some transient errors. Pulley bearing was also getting noisy.

Alternator is at bottom right of engine (when viewed from drivers side) so not related to manifolds or top of engine access. relatively easy changeover, a few extension pieces. Hardest part is the cable at the rear,for some reason JLR decided to make this cable ridiculously short, so you're fitting the locknut and washer on blind.

Ain't that the truth. Denso unit which was new in 05/16, 105K km.
Being replaced on Thursday this coming week as we are off on a 2 week jolly three days later.

Replace I reckon. They die, and when they do, they can take out a battery, potentially catching fire.

I’m on my third at 215k…

Never replaced mine and as far as Im aware its the original, at 408k

Damn you Shane! Now I'm tempted to wait and see! It'll go on me somewhere horrible if I do, of course...

So another question - do they tend to fail gracefully/slowly, or is it a sudden terminal grinding to a halt in the middle of nowhere? That would influence the chain of logic, I guess...