NAPA POS alt

[Martin U]

I'm all done buying from NAPA%^&&**&^%^ I just installed the best alt they had last week. I was in the process of trying to get a powerlogger run for Eric. I might have had 2 wot runs and 5mi on it. While washing it today I noticed a large bump on my hood, opened the hood and the liner was peppered with plastic shrapnel. The moron at napa just said so we will get you a new alt-MAYBE! I'll have to talk to the boss tomorrow WTF. I can see the trying to get out of trying to fix the hood.
I should have kept my mouth shut and just showed up tomorrow with the car and asked them what are they going to do about it. Just venting.
Marty

 

[Martin U]

Well, I'll never learn... Napa is going to replace the alt. and sent me out to get 2 estemates on the body work for the hood! I must still be dreaming.
Mart

 

[49-blues]

Did you put a full charge on the battery before installing the alternator? If not it's called alternator death. Was it made in USA? Or china?

 

[novaderrik]

it's not NAPA's fault- they get their alternators from the same 2 or 3 rebuilders that all the other places get them from.

what were the pieces of plastic from? did the fan come apart?

why doesn't anyone just get a rebuild kit and fix their own alternators any more? it's not that hard to do and it costs way less than even a cheap reman. just buy the parts from a local electric motor/alternator rebuilder.. if installing brushes is over your head, then take the alternator to that same rebuilder and let them fix it and upgrade it for you..

 

[LOT]

I had one built

it's not NAPA's fault- they get their alternators from the same 2 or 3 rebuilders that all the other places get them from.

what were the pieces of plastic from? did the fan come apart?

why doesn't anyone just get a rebuild kit and fix their own alternators any more? it's not that hard to do and it costs way less than even a cheap reman. just buy the parts from a local electric motor/alternator rebuilder.. if installing brushes is over your head, then take the alternator to that same rebuilder and let them fix it and upgrade it for you..

The smaller body--140 amp with an external adj. voltage regulator.

 

[Martin U]

The fan blew apart, left hole and shrapnel in the liner. They told me to go out and get 2 repair estimates.
I was going to do a repair and replace of internal parts, I was in a hurry to get it running so I could get help from Eric on tuning the 6.0WB chip.
I didn't have to give up my old core, so I'll be doing a rebuild up to the 140 amp this winter.
Mart

 

[Martin U]

new alt fan hot air

Just a heads up. Got the new alt from NAPA and turned in the body work estimates. Just in passing I mentioned that the 87 alt had steel fans on them. He went in back to see if he had one in stock. I took it home removed the plastic one with an impact and the steel fan, spacer, and pulley fit like a glove.
No more worrying about blowing the fan out again.
Marty

 

[novaderrik]

i've never heard of one of the plastic fans coming apart like that- even on some engines that rev a lot higher and faster than a turbo 231..

 

[Martin U]

Oh and buy the way I know it isn't NAPAs fault even though this was a NEW alt not a rebuild. I was POed at the night shift guy who was rolling his eyes at me saying what do you want me to do about it,and the anticipation of the run-around I was putting together in my head
This guy gave me grief before trying to order a case of VR1, said they couldn't do that and I needed a different kind. I explained to him I built the engine bolt by bolt including a bunch of machining on it all by my lonesome.
Anyway I did have the chance when I was talking to the manger to pass that info on...he knew exactly who I was referring to. I was able to tell the manager how happy I was with HIS service and to keep it up and he will have a long time customer.
Mart