I had to replace the starters on my '95, '97, and '00 maximas right around 100k. Haven't replaced an alternator, fuel or water pump on a VQ yet.
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Alternator/starter/fuelpump lifespan
- Thread starter raaizin
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If you are looking for an answer as to how long something will last there really is no answer.
Anything can go wrong at any time new or old... If it works good leave it alone. I have been in the engine business a long long time and i really believe most things can outlast the car by a long long time.. Its a waste to spend money replacing something that is good and there is a good chance the rebuilt one will be worse than the one you have...
I buy mostly new when i need a part for my car or a customers car because today the rebuilt parts are mostly poor quality.. Actually the chinese are rebuilding better than the stuff i used to get from cardoone
Anything can go wrong at any time new or old... If it works good leave it alone. I have been in the engine business a long long time and i really believe most things can outlast the car by a long long time.. Its a waste to spend money replacing something that is good and there is a good chance the rebuilt one will be worse than the one you have...
I buy mostly new when i need a part for my car or a customers car because today the rebuilt parts are mostly poor quality.. Actually the chinese are rebuilding better than the stuff i used to get from cardoone
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I've got to agree with crazyoildude and others on that same point .
I will say that if you find a good buy on a starter or whatever and it makes you feel better having it on standby "just in case"....it's your money .
I did this a couple times with older cars . I found good buys on ebay on key components that I felt would fail such as you are thinking and as it turned out I did use some of the parts (97 Ford Taurus ) but I didn't use all and after I got rid of the car I sold the parts and got some of my $$ back so it's a gamble .
I will say that if you find a good buy on a starter or whatever and it makes you feel better having it on standby "just in case"....it's your money .
I did this a couple times with older cars . I found good buys on ebay on key components that I felt would fail such as you are thinking and as it turned out I did use some of the parts (97 Ford Taurus ) but I didn't use all and after I got rid of the car I sold the parts and got some of my $$ back so it's a gamble .
The reason why I asked I had a friend who ran a fleet of those town cars which had many accounts in NYC. I remember him saying there was a schedule that they woud use to replace the alternator and fuelpump so the fleet would not break down. Dont know if this was an urban legend and I lost contact with this person over time.
I was just thinking for a few hundred it would be cheap insurance rather than getting stuck from home on something silly.
thanks or those replies,
Ray
I was just thinking for a few hundred it would be cheap insurance rather than getting stuck from home on something silly.
thanks or those replies,
Ray
I plan on rebuilding the alternator on my truck at around 160k km (100k miles) since I can do it myself and the parts are inexpensive. I will probably do the starter at around the same time.
I plan on replacing the fuel pump at around 200k km, if it hasn't already needed replacing by then. GM truck fuel pumps have a high failure rate.
Here is a tip. Replace important relays before they break down. ECM, Ignition and fuel pump relays can strand you if they break down. I keep a spare relay in the glove compartment.
I plan on replacing the fuel pump at around 200k km, if it hasn't already needed replacing by then. GM truck fuel pumps have a high failure rate.
Here is a tip. Replace important relays before they break down. ECM, Ignition and fuel pump relays can strand you if they break down. I keep a spare relay in the glove compartment.
My 96 Saturn ate an alternator at 70k and a starter at 100k. But I had a lot of unusual issues with that vehicle and its duty cycle was not typical.
On a VQ35, I would be far more concerned about the timing chain failing.
On a VQ35, I would be far more concerned about the timing chain failing.
JHZR2
Staff member
Cant say Ive ever heard of a TC failing... though their wear "stretch" can screw things up. You can get a lot of misalignment from the wear (MB sells woodruff offset keys up to 8 degrees, for example.
The alternator in my 25x,xxx miles LS400 bite the dust at 220k+ miles and starter dead at 240k+ miles, fuel pump is OEM and still working.
You can't really predict the life of alternator/starters/fuel pump and I'll throw in waterpumps too. It depends on a lot of variables. I tend to think alternators are usually the first to go and would ball park it at around 70k. My '87 Escort over 14 years and 150K miles need an a starter, fuel pump and water pump, but the alternator was original and working when I drove it to the junkyard. A '95 Cavalier over about 12 years and ~200k needed just an alternator I think, can't really remember if I replaced it for sure, but the original starter was working fine when it was sold.
I think starters and alternators are more reliable than they use to be. You do start to see these parts failing at upwards of 75K miles but sometimes they last over 200k and replace them at 100k when they are showing no problems and might have half their remaining lifespan seems like a waste of time.
I think starters and alternators are more reliable than they use to be. You do start to see these parts failing at upwards of 75K miles but sometimes they last over 200k and replace them at 100k when they are showing no problems and might have half their remaining lifespan seems like a waste of time.
I am only planning to rebuild my alternator at 100k because it is easy and inexpensive to fit new brushes, bearings and a regulator. Cost is under 40$ and time required is about two hours.
Two hours is a long time at the side of a busy highway with cars whizzing by you, but, on a lazy Saturday afternoon, two hours isn't that long a time. Besides, I don't watch TV, don't take any interest in sports and don't drink, so I gotta do something with my time.
Two hours is a long time at the side of a busy highway with cars whizzing by you, but, on a lazy Saturday afternoon, two hours isn't that long a time. Besides, I don't watch TV, don't take any interest in sports and don't drink, so I gotta do something with my time.
So far I've had to replace 1 starter, 1 alternator, and 1 fuel pump out of around 20 cars/trucks. All due to negligence. The fuel pump due to setting, starter I have no idea how the PI screwed that up and the alternator was my fault from switching the leads. Fresh batteries probably help with the alternators and starters. Unless you have a make/model known for killing one of these leave it alone.
Originally Posted By: Eric Smith
The fuel pump due to setting.
?? Sitting?
The fuel pump due to setting.
?? Sitting?
Originally Posted By: George7941
Originally Posted By: Eric Smith
The fuel pump due to setting.
?? Sitting?
Yeah that's it.. my 3 year old was using me as a jungle gym
Originally Posted By: Eric Smith
The fuel pump due to setting.
?? Sitting?
Yeah that's it.. my 3 year old was using me as a jungle gym
Don't know if my car can be compared to a later model Maxima, but I have a 1979 280ZX with 250,000 miles on it. It has the original fuel pump and starter,(although I have cleaned and relubed the starter bendix a few times in the last 30 years). I replaced the alternator brushes at around 120,000, and the regulator burned up at around 170,000, so I installed a rebuilt alternator that has been working perfectly. The original water pump started leaking at 80,000, and I had to replace the water pump 5 times, as they didn't seem to last very long (new GMB brand, with Autozone lifetime warrantee). No bearing problems, they all had shaft seal leakage issues, and most were infant mortalities. This last water pump has been good to me and now has about 70,000 miles on it. I am kind of embarrased to say that this car still has the original radiator hoses, heater hoses, and fuel hoses on it, but they are inspected frequently. Except for the suspension improvements I have made, and my attempts to lighten the car for better performance/handling, I guess you could say "I don't fix what isn't broke"! This Z has been extremely reliable, and I expect to get well over 300,000 miles out of the original engine and drivetrain, with nothing but normal maintenance.
I use OE parts. I have not ever had a timing chain fail in a VQ and I have put some miles on them. I generally get rid of them by 180-200K though so if it happens after that I wouldn't know.
Is this common - I have not heard of any issues since the VG's with bad tensioners.
Is this common - I have not heard of any issues since the VG's with bad tensioners.
OE alternator in the expedition made it about 3,000 miles (from new). The replacement is still going 72k miles later. Fuel pump lasted 58k miles in same vehicle. OE Starter.
OE Starter in Jeep Wrangler (2.5L) lasted about 25k miles. OE alternator, fuel pump.
OE alternator in cavalier lasted 130k miles. Original starter, fuel pump.
Aunt had a 03 cavalier with 163k miles. Original Alternator, Fuel Pump, Starter. Died when timing chain broke, causing untold destruction inside the engine.
OE Starter in Jeep Wrangler (2.5L) lasted about 25k miles. OE alternator, fuel pump.
OE alternator in cavalier lasted 130k miles. Original starter, fuel pump.
Aunt had a 03 cavalier with 163k miles. Original Alternator, Fuel Pump, Starter. Died when timing chain broke, causing untold destruction inside the engine.
+1 if it ain't broke don't fix it.
I have a 1994 Honda accord with 150,000 miles and a 2000 Toyota Sienna with 175,000 miles. My previous vehicle was a 1990 Nissan pathfinder which I sold with 150,000 miles.
On all three of these vehicles alternator/starter/fuel pump and water pump have never been changed - knock on wood.
I think it is important to change your battery right away, when it starts getting weak, to avoid damage to the starter or alternator. Most shops can test the battery. If your battery is more than 6 years old I would looking into having it tested.
Plus I always drain and refill my antifreeze on a regular basis - approx 2 to 3 years and I change fuel filters as recommended. These steps can save your fuel pump and water pump.
I have a 1994 Honda accord with 150,000 miles and a 2000 Toyota Sienna with 175,000 miles. My previous vehicle was a 1990 Nissan pathfinder which I sold with 150,000 miles.
On all three of these vehicles alternator/starter/fuel pump and water pump have never been changed - knock on wood.
I think it is important to change your battery right away, when it starts getting weak, to avoid damage to the starter or alternator. Most shops can test the battery. If your battery is more than 6 years old I would looking into having it tested.
Plus I always drain and refill my antifreeze on a regular basis - approx 2 to 3 years and I change fuel filters as recommended. These steps can save your fuel pump and water pump.
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