redm3turbo

Hey all....
I have a all stock 00 civic ex that I drive as a daily.Its completely up to date on all maintenance, and I do alot of preventative maint, like changing out the belts pretty much yearly.
Here's my question, the car is 11 years old, and just about to be 160k, and Ive owned since day one, so Im certain the starter and alternator are originals.

I want to change them, I can do the job myself, so all I need is the parts. I really prefer to use Honda gen parts because to me it seems to last a bit longer, and are made of better materials.
Now the starter and alternator have never gave me any issue, however I figure they are up to be changed, and I will be traveling 400miles 2x a week in the upcoming future, so Id much rather be safe....then stuck on the side of a highway somewhere.

I went on manchester honda online and got prices....alternator 694 bucks, and starter was just about 200.....
So I checked out advanced....
starter - worldwide? was 119 and beck/arnley - 188...
for that amount, might as well just put in OEM honda...

Alternators like I said, were almost 700 from honda
and "worldwide" are 100, and bosch professional is 179 (*with 2 year replacement)

Now what starter/alternator is everyone using? For starter, I could just get OEM because really its about the same, but saving 500 on the alternator? It seems almost stupid not too...

however if the bosch is going to last just about 3 years or whatever, and Id get another 11+ years out of the OEM honda...Ill spend the extra money.

Thoughts?
What is everyone else using? OEM? Replacement? if so.....how do you like?

Thanks in advance

Former User

I have an 00 Civic EX and the alternator is still going strong. With the engine warm and idling, what voltage do you measure across the battery posts under no electrical load? What voltage do you now measure across the battery posts with the high beams, rear window defogger, and max A/C on? Post the voltages. This should tell you whether your alternator is pooping out.

For my 97 Civic, in 2006, I purchased a rebuilt alternator (AutoZone) that carries a lifetime warranty. I have replaced it (free) twice now, although the last time I did, the alternator was actually fine.

redm3turbo

I dunno.... Ill take a voltage reading though.

Afaik- the alternator/starter are fine (I mean, the car is running tops) but like I said, Im going to be driving alot in the next few months, so Id rather just change em out and have less to worry about. Id rather just take an afternoon and change them and not have any thought about either-

Thats my plan anyhow.... however $700 seems like ALOT for an alternator....

Former User

I couldn't agree more.

LowNstocK

I wouldnt spend 700, ive always used advance auto parts and havent had any problems, I always try and buy new but if they dont have them ill get them rebuilt, and they always have warranties on their parts.

94EG8

It is, but you rarely have problems with real ones, parts store alternators are pretty hit or miss. Personally if it's not giving you trouble i'd leave well enough alone.

grumblemarc

iTrader: (4)

If $700 is too rich then but from a parts store with a lifetime warranty.

redm3turbo

Ive had Hondas since 96.....Ive never had an alternator go honestly....I even had a acura legend that was passed around my family with over 400k on the original alternator...

So....do they go bad? I was just thinking....Im going to be taking alot of long trips in the next few months for work...and I really dont want to get stuck anywhere....and alts aren't really changible on the fly on the side of the road if need be. With a starter at least I can beat on it with a screw driver if need be.

My alt right now is performing perfect to my knowledge...Ill get a volt test tomorrow....as its 7 degrees outside right now for me.

I just bought a new battery for it at the start of the winter, the one that was in the car was working fine, but 6 years old....I got it tested and they said it was fine...however, for my sake of mind I got a deal on a sears 7 year bat for under 100 so I grabbed it...I was thinking to do the same for the alternator...

Well....til I priced it at 700 anyhow...

This is the issue though...I hate buy auto parts from parts stores...because it usually ends up being 1/3 the price...and I have to change it 3x times....

So things like belts that I can change in 20 mins in my driveway thats fine....but things like waterpumps or alternators or whatever....Id rather just get the good stuff, and change it once every 100k miles... instead of every 1.5 years.

Eh....so, general opinion.....wait til it breaks? correct.

Ill have to look tomorrow at my alternator to see how hard its to change...if its 3 easily accessible bolts....Ill just wait til it breaks....

redm3turbo

Yea....this is exactly the problem. I guess $700 isnt too bad considering. If I buy the bosch preffered is $200....even if I bought it once....Id rather not be changing it (or more precisely) be losing time and replacing them. Its one thing if Im 5 miles from my house and the thing goes, so I just got to run to the auto store and swap it out...

Its a WHOLE other story if Im 500 miles from home and I get stranded....

That and I hate dealing with auto stores....it seems like I get more junk then good from them.

Guess you get what you pay for.

hatchet_honda

wow 700 for an oem alternator? thats the price of a starter on a diesel truck at work!

94EG8

Again, keep driving it till something happens. More often than not all that happens to the OEM alternators are they seize from sitting. Honestly the voltage regulators and bearings very rarely go bad. Starters last forever too, if it's a 5 speed I especially wouldn't worry about it, as long as you can get it rolling about as fast you can walk hop in and put it in 5th and pop the clutch and it'll start everytime.