[kmostert1]

My Patrol GU 3.0 diesel alternator packed in and I took it to the auto electrician for checking. I was informed that the alternator was to be replaced. Costed me $450. When I picked it up, there was no nameplate on the alternator so I asked the supplier what brand it was. It was a name I never heard of, but it has a 12 month warranty.

It is very noisy at low rpm's, but goes quieter at higher revs. Maybe it is just the pitch of the noise that change. It concerns me.

Does anyone have any experience with these ebay-type alternators?

 

[fnqcairns]

I dunno good luck is all i can say, my original GQ 4.2 alternator is 15 years old and still plugging away, I consider that fair service. If you have the spare cash consider sourcing an original and rebuilding? then sell off the unknown cheapo...still many sell their cars often so in the end doing anything above the minimum necessary to a car can become a bit of a joke.

 

[THE FERRET]

If they are anything like the Korean ones on the Mercruiser, they are a "throw away" as the bearing at the drive end can't be replaced without the end plate, and I dunno where you would get that!!

 

[kmostert1]

Thanks.

I got my old alternator, well parts of it, back from the auto electrician. I will keep the cheapo until I have mine rebuilt.

Does anyone know where I can get spares for Hitachi alternators? Also, does anyone have an exploded diagram of the alternator assembly?

 

[RosieBear]

Good luck getting parts for it, better off trying to get a couple of stuffed ones and make one good one, other than that I have a 100 amp ebay jobbie on my 4.2, looks identical to the hitachi, no issues at all, been nearly 12 months now, got a 110 amp spare in the shed supplied by the auto leckie as a warrantyreplacement for the stuff-up on the original repair, looks like it had a vac pump on the back, but the shaft was machined, and theres a rubber plug in the back now.

 

[CSAGQ]

 

[kmostert1]

Thank you for that.

Getting spares seem to be a problem. So far, only the Nissan dealer could offer me spares at $700 for the regulator assemby and $1350 for a new alternator.

What would be a good replacement for the Hitachi alternator? Reliability is very important to me and if I cannot get a good replacement, I will fork out the cash for a new Hitachi. When you compare the cost of being recovered from the Simpsons Desert with that of a new alternator, the new alternator wins.

 

[RosieBear]

Christ just buy one off ebay, or get two if your paranoid about it failing. like I said, more than happy with my ebay jobbie., as are dozens of others. You'll still be ahead, even on buying spare parts and rebuilding the old one esp after you factor in labour by a auto lecky for the rebuild. You have to be mad to buy new from nissthief. $1350 for a $400 alt is crazy. Nissan must have Ned Kelly managing the parts division.

Check out the wreckers bound to get one somewhere, or try and adapt a late model falcon or commodore 110 amp jobbie I think they are a 2 wire. or get price on a Leese Neville 140 amp from as used by kenworth trucks, sometimes you can get these big alternators comparatively cheap from the trucking parts distributors, minor mods to the mount, I think for foot spacing, google/ebay are your friends in this.

You're more likely to get stuck in the simpson desert with a broken alt drive belt.

Q. Are you likely to be in the simpson desert? or is that Just an extreme example. You are much more likely to be 25 kays from home when it fails.

 

[2P'sinapatrol]

Mate try this mob.
Ashdown-Ingram Australia - Automotive Electrical & Thermal Control Parts

They should be able to get the parts you want.
If you need bearing any bearing shop should be able to supply them.

 

[kmostert1]

Thanks 2P'sinapatrol, I will try them.

Yes, I have been to the Simpson Desert. Last trip the diesel pump packed in. Turned out to be a very, very expensive trip. Going there again this year.

 

[RosieBear]

kmostert1 take a spare alternator and fuel pump this time