Don't Believe it - Both Alternators Seized !

Pilotpak · **Posted:** Tue Mar 11, 2014 9:19 pm

My previous post about a fire (well, lots of smoke anyway), mentioned that the toasted serpentine belt was caused by a seized alternator. Bummer...there goes another $1,000 !

The other side engine didn't sound quite right when it started on the day of the meltdown, so I got engineers to check it out. They now tell me the other alternator has also seized.

another $1,000- thank-you

Anyone ever come across both alts failing at exactly the same time ? It had only been 4 weeks since I was last at the boat. They only thing I can think of was that a coolant hose blew off during the last use, and maybe both alts got wet.

noexcuses · **Posted:** Tue Mar 11, 2014 9:49 pm

$1000 for an alternator seems steep even for OEM, why so much?

crossram · **Posted:** Tue Mar 11, 2014 9:54 pm

if you had a hose blow and soaked the alts i could see that happen if they sat with water in them for a few weeks

NiagaraChillin · **Posted:** Wed Mar 12, 2014 7:27 am

Salt water + alternator = fried.

$1000 ??! for an alternator?! At most, maybe a 100 bucks at any aut parts store. It takes about 20 minutes to change one with a couple of wrenches. You, my friend, are getting hosed by your engineers. Do it yourself, you'll save money, learn more about the boat, and have a better sense of accomplishment.

Capt. Hoss · **Posted:** Wed Mar 12, 2014 7:30 am

I had my alt rebuilt last spring for somthing like $60. You my friend are getting ripped off.

Paul I. · **Posted:** Wed Mar 12, 2014 8:17 am

Yes, a grand is a little high. But some one mentioned "any aut parts store". Unless they are marine rated, I would RUN from that store. Marine rated also mean ignition proof. If fumes build up and that auto ALT will produce sparkes. Welllllllll..... We may not see you are your boat again. To save a few $$, its not worth it!

NiagaraChillin · **Posted:** Wed Mar 12, 2014 10:01 am

Paul I. wrote:

But some one mentioned "any aut parts store".

I mentioned it, and ooops, Paul is right. But a quick internet search revealed several marine rated alternators for under a hundred bucks...

pet575 · **Posted:** Wed Mar 12, 2014 10:04 am

Yep the marine spark-shielded alternator will be more expensive. $1000 sounds pretty high unless you're including labor. I could see it taking awhile to change it if the access is not generous. Let's all ease off on telling him he got screwed since we don't know those things yet.

Cap'n Morgan · **Posted:** Wed Mar 12, 2014 10:05 am

NiagaraChillin wrote:

I mentioned it, and ooops, Paul is right. But a quick internet search revealed several marine rated alternators for under a hundred bucks...

You searched Austrailian internet sites for the cost of alternators down under ? Very resourcesful.

NiagaraChillin · **Posted:** Wed Mar 12, 2014 10:24 am

Cap'n Morgan wrote:

You searched Austrailian internet sites for the cost of alternators down under ? Very resourcesful.

Nope, was just offering a counter point to the $1000 price tag he was quoted. I assumed he knew where he lived and that he would have to buy it locally or pay shipping. Just trying to help a new guy out, so he doesn't get gouged.

ric · **Posted:** Wed Mar 12, 2014 11:39 am

Marine alternator is a automotive alternator, on the marine version the outside casing has a screen built in. Buy $60 automotive alternator and swap out the case. Done.

JohnnyMarlin · **Posted:** Wed Mar 12, 2014 12:30 pm

Or take YOUR alternator to a local re-builder.........you get your OEM alternator back with fresh innards.........

Capt. Hoss · **Posted:** Wed Mar 12, 2014 2:37 pm

JohnnyMarlin wrote:

Or take YOUR alternator to a local re-builder.........you get your OEM alternator back with fresh innards.........

Thats exactly what I did and best I remember it was like $60. I know I shopped around last year cause I didn't know anyone or any place to have it rebuilt, but the cost was like less than $300.

LouC · **Posted:** Wed Mar 12, 2014 4:31 pm

It's a little bit hard to imagine how one leak could shower BOTH alts in salt water seeing as how they are not exactly right next to each other...and I had a bad leak last year (hose from the transom to the P/S cooler on the back of the engine popped off) it did spray some salt water around (actually filled the bilge to over the starter). I replaced the starter naturally (believe it or not it still cranked even full of salt water, I pulled it out and tested it) since it might work for a bit but for sure would fail. I had some corrosion on the carb body but no issues with anything else.
Depending on how common GM based I/Os are in Australia it should be possible to get it done cheaper than that.

Pilotpak · **Posted:** Wed Mar 12, 2014 6:06 pm

Thanks for the replies,

Unfortunately my marina is isolated, many miles from any other marina with a mechanic, and the only mechanic here will only use genuine parts.

The marina also has a "Closed Shop" policy, outside or mobile mechanics are not permitted to enter the premises - quite a monopoly !

I understand we have a small market here in Oz, effecting the cost of anything boating related, but I'm curious about the US - If you get non-genuine marine parts, say for example an alternator that cost $350, what would you expect the genuine Mercruiser article to cost ...maybe double that price ?

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Don't Believe it - Both Alternators Seized !

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