[AndreasPassat]

I'm finally back on my wife's car. I have made the reluctant decision to replace the alternator. The old one I don't think will last very much longer, has a slight tick when the pulley is rotated plus it doesn't spin very easy, more effort is required to turn that I'm comfortable with. I figure with all the work I'm doing to this car I might as well do it right through and through.

Now the question is... Has anybody replaced their alternator and what brand?
The genuine Audi / VW Bosch unit is stupid expensive, even with the core refund. I'm willing to spend the money if I have to. But if anybody can vouch for the Valeo or other brand I'd be interested in someone's input.

 

[hu vw]

Vale is a reputable brand. The alternator on our Golf was a Valeo and it lasted forever even with the demands placed on it by the car being a diesel. Have you considered having the alternator rebuilt?

 

[ylwagon]

I second the idea of rebuilding. Check into automotive electric shops in your area, get quotes on bearing and brush/regulator replacement. Those are the only wear items.

 

[Mtech]

I third the idea of rebuilding. Better for the environment too.

 

[wmj259]

Are Valeo Alternators brand-new or rebuilds from the cores?

 

[AndreasPassat]

Well it's obvious what the results are. Re-build the unit. Only problem is the only company that I would even consider taking it to moved away a few years ago. The others that are left have a horrible track record. Big time failures. I think I'll try the Valeo unit as it is at least half the price.

 

[Mtech]

Valeo is the brand on my 2004 1.8T, seems to be fine after 12 years and about 159,000km.

 

[PZ]

Valeo is one of the OEM alternator, Bosch is the other. I've used several AutoZone remans over the years without a single failure, but not everyone is as lucky.

 

[AndreasPassat]

Are Valeo Alternators brand-new or rebuilds from the cores?

I'm assuming they are brand new units as there is no core charge with these. At least on the site that I'm thinking about buying it from.

 

[AndreasPassat]

Valeo is one of the OEM alternator, Bosch is the other. I've used several AutoZone remans over the years without a single failure, but not everyone is as lucky.

I can certainly respect what you have to say Paul, but with that being said, my luck with AutoZone has not been good. If this were my Ford truck I'm working on, I wouldn't think twice about a AutoZone unit, but on a VW and the headache that goes along with changing an alternator on a V6, I'm just not willing to take that chance.

 

[PZ]

I understand, the V6 alternator is a bit of a pain.

 

[AndreasPassat]

I jumped on the Valeo unit. $212 on FCP Euro. No core charge, still don't know for sure if it's a reman.

Just for grins I looked up the one from AutoZone. $206 for 120 amp unit.

 

[Ray]

I replaced mine last year along with the timing belt and got everything from German auto parts


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[woodardhsd]

After my original OEM Valeo alternator died on a trip, I replaced it with a reman from Autozone. It lasted 2 weeks. It was replaced under warranty, but the 2nd unit lasted 1 week. I ordered a brand new Valeo 439338 from RockAuto for just over $200. The new Valeo has been perfect for over a year now.

 

[sipes216]

a good reman in the dallas area may run ~$100 from the right shop.

autozone reman alternators are either remy, or cardone. either of which are a long shot from what they really used to be...

 

[AndreasPassat]

Ironically enough I pretty much had the answer sitting in the garage. The alternator was so corroded from the PO I didn't think there was anything left to figure out what brand it was.
I found enough of a label that clearly proved it was a Valeo unit. So, with that I feel I made a sound choice in buying one from FCP Euro.

 

[brpete]

For those who are looking for a write up on how to replace the alternator, I saw this thread-- http://www.passatworld.com/forums/b5-information-base/301600-v6-alternator-replacement.html