I wonder what it is about Vanagon starters and alternators that they fail so early. The 480k
km  *original* Bosch units on my Jetta were still going strong when I parted out the car due to
rust. It also still had one original inner CV, the rest last anywhere from 250 - 350k kms.

I generally try to stick with oem new or reman for most parts, but I've not had to make the
choice that often. With my cheapo CVs, I may regret the choice if I end up replacing one on a
dirt road somewhere. I hope not...

On 2 Apr 2006 at 19:30, Jere Hawn <jghawn@EARTHLINK.NET> wrote:

> Now Ron lets not get pissy.  My 1990 van has 340,000 original miles on it (one
> of the aternators i returned the next day beacuse it was bad.)  so i get about
> 70,000/80,000 miles from each alternator (about the same as i got from the
> german one.)  With 5 free replacements that adds up to over $600 saved!!  Think
> of the amount of coolant one could buy.  This is not to mention the starter.
>
> As far as as a hidden cost well an alternator isn't that hard to change.  I
> would rather change an alternator that fix a flat tire. (the starter fairly easy
> but dirtier and about the same as changing a flat.)
>
> I must agree with you about those discount part places.  the trick is to
> evaluate the part, the cost, time, and how critical it is before you purchase
> there.  In my book alts, strts, and front brake pads belong in the discount auto
> list.  other more important parts i agree belong with Bus Depot etc.....
>
> Jere
>
> -----Original Message-----
> >From: The Bus Depot <vanagon@BUSDEPOT.COM>
> >Sent: Apr 2, 2006 6:50 PM
> >To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> >Subject: Re: Ebay CV "kit"....is it any good?
> >
> >> I have gone the Schucks and purchased
> >> their $80 lifetime warrenty unit...  When this one gose
> >> bad in 5-7 years I take it back for a new one for free...
> >> I did that with my starter (5 times), alternator (6 times),
> >> and front brake pads (lost count.)
> >>
> >> Jere
> >> 90 Carat-a-version
> >
> >
> >
> >Well, let's see...  If each rebuilt starter or alternator you bought failed 5-6
> >times, and the failures were 5-7 years apart, then by my math you purchased the
> >original units about 36 years ago!  I presume these were not for your
> >16-year-old Vanagon. :-)
> >
> >I'm being facetious, but I'm also making a point here.  Good rebuilds just
> >don't very often.  It has been said on this list more than once that those
> >"white box" reman's from the various discount auto parts chains have a hidden
> >cost, which is the cost (in dollars, time, and aggrevation) of repeatedly
> >having to remove and reinstall them when they fail.  In the end you pay much
> >more than you saved on the initial purchase.  Plus, sooner of later one of
> >these failures is bound to happen at an inopportune time, leaving you stranded
> >far from home in the middle of the night.
> >
> >Discount auto parts chains (as a whole, not singling out Schucks) don't get
> >their remanufacturing done by the best in the business, or even the second or
> >third best. They buy from whoever can promise truckload qualities at the
> >cheapest possible price.  Often these "reman's" are little more than tested and
> >repainted used units. The "lifetime warranty" is a red herring - the same
> >tried-and-true marketing gimmick used to convince late-night TV viewers that
> >the $19.99 Ginsu knife is better than a $500 set of W�sthof's. (It has a
> >lifetime warranty, so it must be good!)  It cheaper to cut corners on the part
> >and throw in an free extended-warranty, than to build the part well in the
> >first place (and you get to play the "Ginsu knife" marketing angle to boot).
> >The cost of "rebuilding" to this standard can be so cheap that they can afford
> >to exchange it once or twice and still make a profit.  Moreover (and this is
> >what they are banking on), most people never take advantage of the warranty
> >when the part fails.  Many lose their receipt. Others are caught in a bind when
> >they unexpectedly break down, and forgo the warranty in favor of getting a
> >replacement quickly wherever they can. Others move, sell the vehicle, or just
> >get fed up after the second exchange and buy a replacement somewhere else.
> >
> >My 1989 Vanagon (140k miles) has only had one replacement starter,
> >alternator, and set of CV joints since new. My '85 Vanagon and my Bus (about
> >200k miles) had two. A quality part lasts, and often doesn't cost very much
> >more. Rather than replacing the same part again and again, isn't it smarter to
> >buy a quality part in the first place and just be done with it?
> >
> >Off my soapbox... :-)
> >
> >- Ron Salmon
> >  The Bus Depot, Inc.
> >  www.busdepot.com
> >  (215)  234-VWVW
> >
> >_____________________________________________
> >Toll-Free for Orders by PART # :  1-866-BUS-DEPOT
>

Shawn Wright
http://members.shaw.ca/vwdiesels
'88 Westy 1.6TD 5 speed
'82 Diesel Westy 1.6NA
'85 Jetta Diesel 1.6NA