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Old 07-05-2021, 10:29 PM #1
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Duralast alternators are JUNK... or do I have a different problem?

This past weekend I put in the third Duralast remanufactured alternator into my 2007 4.7L V8 in less than 6 years. This last one was only 2 years old and the one before that was about the same age (2-3 years old). With my driving this equates to 20-30k miles before each failed. Are the Duralast reman's just that bad? Or could there be something else wrong? I don't have any strange "leaks" where the battery is drained slowly, it can sit for 2+ weeks and fire right up. Thanks for everyone's help, perhaps I should just spend the $$ on a rebuilt Denso unit.

PS - if anyone hasn't done the alternator on the V8 it isn't super fun... However, if you take off the pulley from the power steering pump, then take the pump off and move it to the side, the alternator can come out through the wheel well. The tire can stay on if you turn the wheel. I also took off the air intake and coolant reservoir, but those might not be necessary to remove.
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Old 07-06-2021, 11:52 AM #2
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i cant comment on duralast alts for 4runners but they should definitely be lasting longer than 2 years or 20-30k miles. was it a lifetime or the 1 year?

i have used the duralast on a coupel other vehicles with excellent results, most recently was on my 98 jeep cherokee daily driver, original one went to 150k miles & died, i replaced with a duralast lifetime & it went another 8 years & 60k miles with no signs of failing, sold the jeep 2 years ago & still see it driving around town on i assume the same alt.

cant say for sure whats causing your short lifespan on them but they should not be going bad that fast in normal situations... 1000 watt sub amps or tons of lights & other accessories will shorten the life but even then should last longer than 2 years.
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Old 07-06-2021, 02:31 PM #3
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Thank you! That's pretty much what I thought as well. My electrical system is all stock. However, my passenger side (left side correct?) valve cover gasket leaks a little oil. Perhaps it slowly seeps into the alternator and coats the rotor and brushes so they no longer make contact. Does this sound plausible? Maybe I should just spray a little engine de-greaser into the alternator every time I change the oil. ::

Last edited by cice; 07-06-2021 at 04:02 PM.
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Old 07-06-2021, 04:42 PM #4
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I had two cheap advance auto alternator remans die in about that same mileage on my 3rd gen. After those two died I went with a denso and haven't had any issues for the last several years and probably 50k+ miles.

Also had a cheap Chinese rebuilt starter that the previous owner put in instead of replacing the contacts in the Toyota one. That one died much sooner than it should have, opened it up and it had all sorts of corrosion in it.

I won't put anything that isn't OEM quality for electrical into any of my Toyotas after those experiences. Those parts are the only time my 3rd gen almost left me stranded. Never did leave me stranded, but got real close with those cheap parts.

I'd put a denso in your 4th gen. Or rebuild the OEM one if you still have it.
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Old 07-06-2021, 10:53 PM #5
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This may not be useful as I have no experience with their alternators. But I can say that in a pinch I've used their brake calipers and man do they suck. They were good enough to get me going on the road again, but swapped them out quick for better units.

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Old 07-07-2021, 05:24 AM #6
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Duralast is pure trash. I swore off that product YEARS ago, as I got tired of replacing and chasing down non-existent parts and problems. You get a lifetime warranty for a reason.

Start buying from NAPA or use Rock Auto and find a reputable brand.
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Old 07-07-2021, 08:10 AM #7
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Reman Denso is what you want. Rockauto has them for $125 plus tax and shipping after core charge. I don't install anything Duralast because....wait for it....they don't last.
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Old 07-07-2021, 08:28 AM #8
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Yes, they are that bad. Never by starters or alternators from anyone offering a Free Lifetime Warranty. The average person keeps their car for 2.3 years, when you sell it the warranty ends, Lifetime doesn't mean your Lifetime. In order for them to do this, as well as keep the prices so low is by using the cheapest parts when being rebuilt. About 30 min from is a massive building where they rebuild alternators for all the big auto parts stores. I knew several that worked there that said they would never buy an alternator that they had rebuilt. Sad but true statement about many products these days.

This doesn't mean you have to go to the dealer and pay their crazy prices. Look for a small shop in your area that rebuilds starters and alternators, ask shops in the area if you can't locate one. I have been using a small family owned shop not far from me for 25 plus years. They use quality parts and when you get it back it's better than new. If Brand X starters are known for using a weak component they know they and they use a quality component when they rebuild it. No need to ask them about a written warranty, they will look you straight in the eye and tell you that if you have a problem bring it back to them and they will fix it and shake your hand.

I keep my vehicles for years and I've never had to take one back to them. Most days if you drop it off before 10 am they will have it done that afternoon. I just had my 20 year old 7.3 alternator rebuilt by them and it cost me $65 and it was done in a few hours. Best part is I get back the same factory body that I gave them. This is huge, those Lifetime parts often have very cheaply made bodies made in China just like the parts they put inside them. I hope this helps someone, God Bless.
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Old 07-07-2021, 08:30 AM #9
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Process of elimination, start with a Denso reman if you can find a decent price. If you can't there is a company on eBay that has U.S. made upsized alternators that sells them for like 160$ new. I've had pretty good luck with their stuff.
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Old 07-07-2021, 08:43 AM #10
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My experience with "house brand" parts from Autozone, O'Reilly's and Advance is that their stuff is purely designed for price sensitive shoppers who think all parts are they same. (Spoiler Alert: They're not!) Since this kind of shopper only cares about low price, the whole supply chain for this kind of stuff is geared around saving every last dime. What pops out the end of the pipe is a (generally) decent looking product made out of crap parts with crap processes with crap quality assurance. Oddly enough, they don't last for crap.

The only parts store I've found with half way decent house brand parts is NAPA. And guess what? They cost more. Go figure.
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Old 07-07-2021, 11:09 AM #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cice View Post
Thank you! That's pretty much what I thought as well. My electrical system is all stock. However, my passenger side (left side correct?) valve cover gasket leaks a little oil. Perhaps it slowly seeps into the alternator and coats the rotor and brushes so they no longer make contact. Does this sound plausible? Maybe I should just spray a little engine de-greaser into the alternator every time I change the oil. ::
the side of the vehicle is usually based on sitting in the seat, passenger side is usually called the right side.

cant say a v/c gasket leak would coat the alternator without seeing it but it would have to be a pretty bad leak to get into the alt since its in front of the v/c & air flows back & away from the alt.

do NOT spray anything into the alternator!

if youre having that much trouble with the duralast alts, get the denso & see if it lasts longer.
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Old 07-09-2021, 09:49 PM #12
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Thanks everyone, reman Denso it is, well worth the $$ to not be stuck on the side of the road.

PS - thanks for the correction on left/right side of the vehicle, I always get confused on if it is facing the engine or sitting in the vehicle.

to Duralast!

Last edited by cice; 07-09-2021 at 10:09 PM.
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Old 07-10-2021, 03:57 PM #13
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I agree with all of the folks who say most parts house remans are junk - they are.
I found a nice local mom and pop shop that does general automotive electrical work and also rebuilds starters and alternators. I've used them for the last several and while it does cost a little bit more than parts houses they use better parts and I'm also supporting a local business which in my mind is worth a couple extra bucks.
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Old 07-12-2021, 11:41 AM #14
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Amen. Local auto electrical shops have saved me major hassle with parts store rebuilds, including undersize diodes (and cheaply made) that blew repeatedly at inconvenient times.

The one I've been using for the past decade also uses only US or Japan-made bearings. The Delco alternator they built for my other vehicle is still quiet after 6 years of hard use and track events.

With that said...I popped a Denso rebuilt alternator from RockAuto in my '07 4Runner in 2018. No problems at 3 years and 65K+ miles on it.


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I agree with all of the folks who say most parts house remans are junk - they are.
I found a nice local mom and pop shop that does general automotive electrical work and also rebuilds starters and alternators. I've used them for the last several and while it does cost a little bit more than parts houses they use better parts and I'm also supporting a local business which in my mind is worth a couple extra bucks.
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Old 07-12-2021, 08:06 PM #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by waypoint View Post
Amen. Local auto electrical shops have saved me major hassle with parts store rebuilds, including undersize diodes (and cheaply made) that blew repeatedly at inconvenient times.

The one I've been using for the past decade also uses only US or Japan-made bearings. The Delco alternator they built for my other vehicle is still quiet after 6 years of hard use and track events.

With that said...I popped a Denso rebuilt alternator from RockAuto in my '07 4Runner in 2018. No problems at 3 years and 65K+ miles on it.

Yup, people don't think there is a difference but then can't understand why they're going through the cheapest option every few months...yeah because it's done as cheap as possible to hit the price point and make a profit.
Our society has forgotten how to care for things and make them last. Too much throwing away.
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