The second capacitor was added due to the fridge relay circuit. It is there
to absorb the coil voltage spike on turn off.
Let's not confuse quality with design issues. One describes consistency and
fit finish. That small bearing in the insulator housing is a poor design
just like the drive belt not wrapping around the crankshaft pulley.

Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Arkady Mirvis
Sent: Thursday, April 15, 2010 1:33 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: The alternator issue

I am sure that many will agree with me on doubtfull quality of made by Bosch
alternators installed in Vanagons. They are mechanically unreliable. I am
pointing to the bearing on a small end. In my Westy I spotted the shaft
wobbling  after 14,000 miles. The nylon sleeve the bearing had as a seat was
very loose on the bearing and in the bore. The bore became out-of-round and
had conicity. I decided not to bother with opening the bore and making
larger sleeve and got another alternator remanufactured by Bosch. Out of
curiocity I took it apart and witness the bearing and the sleeve to be
loose. That alternator had even shorter life. The seat was enlarged and
TOLERANCE RING installed. The problem was cured.
Speaking alternator. The original Bosch 33 x alternator has 2 capacitors.
Most alternators I've seen on Jettas do have one capacitor. Example Bosch 27
X ( I do have one new ). Can somebody explain to me what the second
capacitor is for.
Can I use Bosch 27 X alternator when I want in My 1987 Westy?
Thanks in advance.