Guys - I have been nursing my alternator for months, it has got exponentially worse lately and with the fear of being stranded, ordered a new one (rather reman. Bosch unit) from Imagine.

I removed the old one which was not bad at all except for my large hands! Took a couple of hours taking my time. For those who have never done it...its not bad at all.

I noticed that my car had a re-man. alternator (thought I was going to find the original unit) in it and so this at minimum is the 3rd alternator in the car. My car has 58K on it and so thats alot of alternators for very low mileage.

I am thinking that previous owners probably let the car sit for long times, letting the battery drain down and then jumped in the car and the alternator was working overtime to charge a really low battery, contributing to a very much reduced life of the alternator itself.

-Or- are these cars typically hard on alternators?

Your thoughts?

I will post up new pics after I get my fan and housing back from the Powder Coaters. Ironically I was talking to Schnele (Lincoln) on the 'phone just as I was starting yesterday morning....LOL! "Hi" Linc!

Hope everyone is having a great weekend.

Regards - Yasin

 

I've had the same one in my car for well over 20 years. I worry that it will lunch istself on me at some inoportune time.

 

Knock on wood, I've had good luck with this alternator, but I've only driven it 10-12000 miles in the past 5 years on the track. My 911SC seemed to eat them once a year or so.

 

I discovered last days that my fan ring
has hair cracks on 2 supports.

The supports are not fully cracked,
but I think better to exchange.
Maybe the alternator bearings are bad
and caused this.

I imagine real big damages if the alternator
comes out during high rpms.


Falk

 

I've never had an issue with a Bosch alternator in any Porsche (914, 944, Carrera 3.2 Euro, 930 Euro, 996 TT). They've always been great performers. Your comment about not keeping the battery on a trickle charger, but allowed to sit for long periods of time might be a contributor.

 

Thanks for all the comments gang!

Yasin

 

I'm on #3 since 2000. All Bosch.

 

I have been getting what sounds like bearing noise out of the alternator. Can you tell me which is the best replacement alternator for the 87 930? I know that there are different amperage ratings on these and I have one fellow who is willing to sell me a "90 amp VALEO #432794" which he says is the appropriate replacemnt...but he wants $345. I have only heard and read you folks using the Bosche units.

 

I paid $210ish for my Bosch Alternator from Imagine...its a reman. unit.

Yasin

 

I've only done 2 alternators in 5 years on the older cars..............FWIW.

 

mine is a '88 930 slantnose cab with over 207,000 miles. I replace the alternator at 60-65000 miles..use a new Valeo 90 amp...call Sidney at Vertex.... never had one go totally bad...but close. Had 2 distributors crap out at around 60,000...only ones available that I can see are remans from Porsche. also..if tach starts jumping around and lights dim a little at low rpm's...check the ground at the battery...or the battery is close to dead. after that...it's probably the alternator...but I say always use a new one.

 

Bruce: Thanks a bunch...that's the feedback I was looking for. I hadn't heard of the Valero 90 Amp unit and assumed that Bosche was the way to go. I will follow up with Sidney at Vertex....thanks again.

Chuck

 

I am about absolutely sure that these (Valeo) were original equipment in at least the '88s. I have never heard of one failing under 60K miles

 

i did the alt about 3 months ago, a bit of a PITA to get my hands in there.
i had it rebuild by the guy i have been using for years to rebuild my costomers alternators... works perfect, new bearings, brushes and a regulator... runs like a dream now.

 

I don't believe the cars are hard on the alternators at all, yet they're just not very good quality. Just replace them with a new one instead of a reman. for longer life. Nothing else you can do.