Date: Thu, 9 Jan 2003 09:16:52 -0800
Reply-To: TJ Hannink <tjhannink@YAHOO.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: TJ Hannink <tjhannink@YAHOO.COM>
Subject: Re: Total Cost of a complete engine overhaul
In-Reply-To: <Pine.SUN.3.96.1030109091317.24631D-100000@grex.cyberspace.org>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
The O.E. alternator on my van was replaced at 75,000 miles. The P.O's first
rebuilt replacement worked for more than 100,000 miles. I expect my current
alternator to last at least that long. I have all my starters and alternators
for my (and my friends) various vehicles rebuilt at a local auto electric shop
and have never had to replace any of their products. My '75 bus used to eat
parts store Bosch rebuilt starters, a new Bosch starter lasted a couple of
years. The current local shop rebuild has been in for 6 years.
I don't agree with the "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" theory of vehicle
maintenance. In order to inspect most connectors, mounting surfaces and hoses,
it's necessary to disassemble them. My ecu is original, but I have removed it,
blown the dust out of it, cleaned the connector and ground point and
re-installed it without a problem. I've removed, cleaned and re-assembled (with
corrosion protection) every electrical connection in the engine compartment and
on the exterior of the vehicle. Is this overkill? Probably, but with all the
problems you read on the list caused by corroded connections, I think its
pretty good insurance.
Thanks for listening.
Tim
--- David Brodbeck <gull@CYBERSPACE.ORG> wrote:
> I agree, but I think replacing parts like the ECU and alternator is
> unnecessary unless they're showing signs of problems. My feeling is that
> replacing parts like that preventatively is as likely to cause problems as
> it is to prevent them. Wiring harnesses get disturbed, bolts get
> loosened, hoses get pushed out of the way...and every so often that causes
> an unexpected failure a few miles down the road. The ECU that's in there
> has been working fine for years, why disturb it now? It has no moving
> parts and it doesn't wear out unless something breaks from vibration or is
> damaged by a wiring problem. Alternators sometimes fail but have been
> known to last the life of a car, too -- and an OEM alternator is much
> better than a rebuild you got from the parts store.
>
=====
TJ Hannink
Goldibox - 1987 Vanagon Camper, Wolfsburg Edition
Winter Park, Florida
http://home.earthlink.net/~tjhannink/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/wolfsburg_campers
http://photos.yahoo.com/tjhannink [Vanagon] Album
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