Off-brand "New" vs. Name-brand Reman Alternator

[CTX-SLPR]

Been working on a friend's 2000 Nissan Frontier and I suspect the alternator might have just eaten it after getting soaked in oil from a front main seal leak. Looking through RockAuto and there are "New" alternators from various brands I've never heard of and reman's from brands that I have. I'm not sure which I'd trust at this point, price is basically a wash after you take the core charge out.

Thoughts?

[cstmwgn]

I've been less that thrilled with the quality of re-man stuff for quite awhile now. With that said - perhaps a little deeper research into the no-name options might find something acceptable. Hard to believe that 'NEW' junk wouldn't be better than poorly rebuilt junk.

[Captain]

My Nickel Ninety Five...

I Look at the "Long Range" pictures for the Vehicle.
A well used high mileage Daily Driver with a possible Trade In or Sell Off in it's future, I go the Cheapest Route.

Something that you plan on keeping,
Skip Cheap, and get New Name Brand Parts,
Or From a Quality Parts Supplier,
i.e. NAPA, A1-Auto

[CTX-SLPR]

He absolutely loves this thing, so he wants something he doesn't even have to think about (because he won't, not a car guy). He's also frugal so he doesn't want to pay $350 (roughly twice any of the RockAuto options) for an OEM unit neither unless he has to.

[oletrux4evr]

He absolutely loves this thing, so he wants something he doesn't even have to think about (because he won't, not a car guy). He's also frugal so he doesn't want to pay $350 (roughly twice any of the RockAuto options) for an OEM unit neither unless he has to.

you might want to remind him of the old commercial: "you can pay me now, or pay me later". Good advice to pony up for something that will last.

[DanStokes]

I got nothin'. However, I'm having great luck with an alternator from Phoenix Alternators (I think that's the name - it's Phoenix Something Electrical) after I couldn't keep a voltage regulator in a Power Bastards unit. They were very helpful on the phone which is a big deal to me given that some of them only want to deal online. We also have a good local rebuilder so you might want to look into that option though I have no idea of your local choices. If they put out a bad product they know you'll be back and they'll have to eat it.

[CTX-SLPR]

you might want to remind him of the old commercial: "you can pay me now, or pay me later". Good advice to pony up for something that will last.

That's really what we're after, do we need to spend the money on the OEM because the other options are crap. The most recognizable rebuilt is a Bosch that's basically the same cost as the priciest "new" unit from BBB (???) with a rebuilt Remy for $10 cheaper in the $110-140 range.

Dan,
I think it's bearings as something made a terrible noise then the engine died when it was sitting at idle. I didn't keep poking around and am working on a final project (hence 0100 posting) to not go back and poke as I definitely have to drop the oil pan to fix a poor RTV job I did the first time. Scouting the field for replacement bits as it was very oily when I pulled it out to diagnose the leak.

[SuperBuickGuy]

to me it's a wash - I've had trouble with pretty much all of them. Which leads me to "Autozone" or "O'Reilly's" recommendation with their lifetime warranty. The only one I'll never use again is Powermaster.