11 month old rebuilt starter died: Considering just going brand new this time, worth it?

[98FordLove]

Another thing I should mention is that since I bought this ACDelco gold locally I get a 2-year warranty.

so if this was to go bad within 2 years I just take it back to the store get a new one, over the counter. So having a backup one sit in the truck all the time is redundant no?

Also the new starter, since I put it in starts the truck so much quicker even at cold starts
before with the old starter sometimes it would crank for three or four seconds before it started.

 

[C420sailor]

If it’s a counterfeit, you shouldn’t have to pay ANY shipping. That’s absolutely insane, and I would fight that to the end.

 

[98FordLove]

If it’s a counterfeit, you shouldn’t have to pay ANY shipping. That’s absolutely insane, and I would fight that to the end.

The rep at AC Delco is still going to get back to me after his further findings but so far from the pics I've sent him, he says it's a geniune product. Why this one from RA came in a different box, he says the one from RA is the newer design box. He's just confirming with me that this part comes in both silver and gold finishes right on the part.

 

[410Fortune]

Yep

Ac delco puts their name on many parts and in many boxes

 

[98FordLove]

I've decided to keep the spare in my truck full time versus wasting $50 on shipping it back. If I ever get stranded again, at least my mechanic will have a new one to swap it out with on the spot which will result in a lot less down time for me. That is important to me because I use the truck for work too and keeping a spare one in the back will reduce downtime.

Sometimes it's not easy for me to just pick up a part from his place when he needs it, then warranty it at the store and bring it back to him. I just happened to get lucky this last time because I was off for 3 days and didn't need the truck in that time. I also can't just use my other car because I have to lug something that's really big and it won't fit in my other car.

But both times so far when the starter died and had to be replaced, I've gone 4-5 days without the truck each time making it extremely inconvenient. It's pretty rare that I can go that long without needing the truck for work and keeping the spare is more convenient and way cheaper than having to rent a truck or SUV for a few days if I had to.

knock on wood and if the starter was to die again by having the spare in the truck I at least would have some time for me to warranty the broken one at the local store and not have to rush over there right away

 

[C420sailor]

I’m a fan of keeping spares, especially if you have multiple of the same vehicle, or you plan to keep your truck for a LONG time.

If I know a part is overdue for replacement, and I don’t want to replace it preemptively, I’ll leave it in the cargo area or under the seat. Did this when I knew my alternator was living on borrowed time. I now do that with a starter in my SOHC, as mentioned.

It also saves you money, as I can stock inexpensive yet quality parts…if my starter or alternator craps out on the side of the road, I’m stuck paying twice as much for a Chinese piece of **** that will last half as long. Costs me more in the long haul.

 

[Josh P]

Good advice above. I keep a spare alternator under the bed in my freightliner truck. Any shop out of town will financially rape you if they think you are desperate.

 

[98FordLove]

I’m a fan of keeping spares, especially if you have multiple of the same vehicle, or you plan to keep your truck for a LONG time.

If I know a part is overdue for replacement, and I don’t want to replace it preemptively, I’ll leave it in the cargo area or under the seat. Did this when I knew my alternator was living on borrowed time. I now do that with a starter in my SOHC, as mentioned.

It also saves you money, as I can stock inexpensive yet quality parts…if my starter or alternator craps out on the side of the road, I’m stuck paying twice as much for a Chinese piece of **** that will last half as long. Costs me more in the long haul.

I want to keep this truck as long as it will go. I'm not worried at all above the motor, I know it will keep going and going as I'm only at 251k km right now. If anything I'm more worried about the frame structure rusting over time and becoming unsafe.

Yes so in other words, when you don't have a part on hand and you need it right away or ASAP, you're basically forced to buy local and you're spending more on lesser quality.

What other parts do you stock spares of in your car? I have a few that I stock because I've had them break on me and all of a sudden I'm stranded and I would have to get a friend to come pick me up so I can buy the part or pick up the part for me and bring it to me. like coolant cap and oil cap. I've had an oil cap spring completely break on me where it was unusable when I would be just refilling oil. And same with coolant caps. So now I stock one of each extra in the car

 

[C420sailor]

Honestly it depends on the work you’ve already done, and how recent.

Things I always have on hand? Consumables that never go bad. Oil filters, air filter, brake pads and rotors, spark plugs, wipers, gas struts (for hatch glass, mainly), belt tensioner, radiator cap, etc.

Some guys will also go to the pick n pull and get used electronic modules to keep as spares. Coil packs, MAFs, IACs, DPFEs, etc.

Anything rubber or expensive I tend to wait until it’s kinda sorta somewhat due for replacement. I tend to replace them on a schedule, anyway. Coolant hoses are the big one here. Rubber degrades over time, so you don’t want them sitting on your shelf for five years before you install them. I will, however, always have a spare serpentine belt. And bulk vacuum hose. They’re cheap, anyway. Starters and alternators and fuel pumps I tend to wait too. About halfway through the typical life of one of the above, I’ll usually pick one up knowing I’ll likely need it soon-ish.

It’s all about striking a balance. And depends on your funds.

I like to keep fluids, greases, sealants, and other ‘shop materials’ on hand too.

I know a guy who has an access panel cut in his Ex. He keeps a fuel pump in the truck and tools to install it so he can swap it out on the side of the road if need be. Not a bad idea if yours is getting long in the tooth and you don’t want to replace it preemptively.

 

[terbates]

I put in a rebuilt starter last September from a local mom & pop shop that died 2 days ago and left me stranded again and had to tow the Explorer to my mechanic. I still have a month left on the starter warranty, the owner says bring it in and I will give you another one. I was going to do this but then I said why bother? So it can die again in a year or less and then I get stranded again and have to tow? I trust this shops rebuilt alternators (as I have both rebuilts of his in both my Ford and my Honda with zero issues and have used rebuilts from him in previous cars with no issues either) But his starters, I'm not sure if I trust them after this one just died after 11 months.

Anyways, there is another mom & pop place near me that rebuilds starters too who has a very good reputation and I was thinking about going to him. He charges just a bit more than the place I went to last September. His comes with 1 year warranty too.

But again should I even bother? I called up one of my local parts places and they have a brand new AC Delco gold starter for $340CAD. Comes with a 1 year warranty but from what I hear AC Delco is a very reliable brand and their gold line is their top of the line products. Tried asking for a Bosche starter but only one parts place has a new Bosche for $250 and would take 3 days to come in. Yes the AC Delco is considerably more than any rebuilt but I don't want to have to do this job ever again. It's just too costly.

So would you say I just eat the cost and pick up the brand new AC Delco gold today? Or is it a waste of money and go with another rebuilt but from another mom & pop shop and give it a second chance?

Oem ford starter around $200 online

 

[410Fortune]

I keep so many spares I rarely have to buy expensive drivetrain parts first it starts with a spare starter… then a spare engine and then years later 30 something fords at the house

 

[98FordLove]

Honestly it depends on the work you’ve already done, and how recent.

Things I always have on hand? Consumables that never go bad. Oil filters, air filter, brake pads and rotors, spark plugs, wipers, gas struts (for hatch glass, mainly), belt tensioner, radiator cap, etc.

Some guys will also go to the pick n pull and get used electronic modules to keep as spares. Coil packs, MAFs, IACs, DPFEs, etc.

Anything rubber or expensive I tend to wait until it’s kinda sorta somewhat due for replacement. I tend to replace them on a schedule, anyway. Coolant hoses are the big one here. Rubber degrades over time, so you don’t want them sitting on your shelf for five years before you install them. I will, however, always have a spare serpentine belt. And bulk vacuum hose. They’re cheap, anyway. Starters and alternators and fuel pumps I tend to wait too. About halfway through the typical life of one of the above, I’ll usually pick one up knowing I’ll likely need it soon-ish.

It’s all about striking a balance. And depends on your funds.

I like to keep fluids, greases, sealants, and other ‘shop materials’ on hand too.

I know a guy who has an access panel cut in his Ex. He keeps a fuel pump in the truck and tools to install it so he can swap it out on the side of the road if need be. Not a bad idea if yours is getting long in the tooth and you don’t want to replace it preemptively.

Most of my big stuff has been done within the last 2 years. I keep fluids like oil, brake fluid, coolant, power steering, windshield fluid in the truck too. I do the same with my Honda in case I need to top up I don't have to run to a store to do it.

Wow sounds like you keep a lot in your truck. I'm wondering if I am better off keeping my spare starter at home during the winter. I'd be worried about the thing sitting in -30C temps constantly for 5 months. And then put it back in the truck come Spring? Is it bad for a starter to store it in that cold of temps? Nothing bothers me more than wasting money and that's another reason why I opted to keep it vs shipping it back to Rock auto.

 

[410Fortune]

Starter can take it they can take hot cold wet dry they are exposed to the elements under there

 

[98FordLove]

Oem ford starter around $200 online

Is OEM motorcraft brand?

 

[98FordLove]

I keep so many spares I rarely have to buy expensive drivetrain parts first it starts with a spare starter… then a spare engine and then years later 30 something fords at the house

Sucked when my alternator died last winter, left me stranded again on a -25C winter day and had it have the truck towed and Ubered it home. It was extremely inconvenient. It was the original alternator too, lasted 26 years. I should have replaced it just for the sole reason that it was 26 years old, would have saved me a tow and cost for uber ride and all the downtime without the truck.

 

[98FordLove]

Starter can take it they can take hot cold wet dry they are exposed to the elements under there

Thanks. I will keep it stored in the truck 24/7.

 

[98FordLove]

I spoke with my local parts store again to confirm warranty. They said on AC Delco starters it's lifetime warranty. I did not know this. Had I known this last year, I would have never even considered a rebuilt starter. This alone is worth paying more for a brand new starter.

Second, even though I paid $200CAD more to buy the same product locally vs from Rock Auto (spare starter is from Rock auto). I feel that it's worth paying more in this case to buy locally for the warranty because with Rock Auto when doing RMA's you have to pay the shipping back to them. So I would lose $50 from just shipping it. Local parts store, I just take it over and it's an over the counter swap. Plus on top, just too many horror stories online from customers who tried doing warranty claims from Rock auto and it being a nightmare. I will pay more every time for a more convenient and easier stress free exchange.

 

[410Fortune]

Yes! I agree

I buy many parts from brick mortar stores due to lifetime warranty. Then I keep track of the vehicle the part and the date so I remember they are under warranty! (Whiteboard in the shop) Great for wheel bearings brake parts starters etc!!

 

[C420sailor]

Yeah, I tend to replace parts that will leave me stranded on the early side.

People don’t want to spend money, believe me I get that, but you have to factor in the things you mentioned. Getting stuck, missing work, paying for a tow, being at the mercy of the parts counter guy and his prices. And, in extreme environments like the great white north, it could leave your life in jeopardy

Is it worth it just to get a little more mileage out of a part?

One example. My SOHC made it to 215,000mi without a fuel pump issue. Ran great. But I ‘played the tape forward’ and thought about what would happen if I lost the pump at 3am on I-95 with a full tank and limited tools. I swapped in a Motorcraft pump at a great price, in my heated shop, on my time. And then I didn’t have to worry about it for another 200k. Around 400k, I’ll probably do it again.

Maybe I would’ve gotten another 15k, or even 50k. But if you extrapolate the cost of the part over that mileage, what would I potentially be saving by driving until it fails? $10? $20?

That all gets wiped out ten-fold once the flatbed arrives.

This logic all goes out the window if your Ex is a grocery getter, or strictly around town, or a secondary/tertiary vehicle. But if it’s a daily driver and especially if you take it on road trips? Scheduled, proactive maintenance is what keeps these things reliable.

Edit: I also do what @410Fortune does. I have a whiteboard with all of my big scheduled maintenance listed—the mileage/dates at which they are due. I also keep a spreadsheet for each truck that goes deep into the weeds. That way, I can look back and see when I replaced a part, what I used, what the warranty is, when it is due for next replacement or inspection, etc.

 

[danstiverson]

I put in a rebuilt starter last September from a local mom & pop shop that died 2 days ago and left me stranded again and had to tow the Explorer to my mechanic. I still have a month left on the starter warranty, the owner says bring it in and I will give you another one. I was going to do this but then I said why bother? So it can die again in a year or less and then I get stranded again and have to tow? I trust this shops rebuilt alternators (as I have both rebuilts of his in both my Ford and my Honda with zero issues and have used rebuilts from him in previous cars with no issues either) But his starters, I'm not sure if I trust them after this one just died after 11 months.

Anyways, there is another mom & pop place near me that rebuilds starters too who has a very good reputation and I was thinking about going to him. He charges just a bit more than the place I went to last September. His comes with 1 year warranty too.

But again should I even bother? I called up one of my local parts places and they have a brand new AC Delco gold starter for $340CAD. Comes with a 1 year warranty but from what I hear AC Delco is a very reliable brand and their gold line is their top of the line products. Tried asking for a Bosche starter but only one parts place has a new Bosche for $250 and would take 3 days to come in. Yes the AC Delco is considerably more than any rebuilt but I don't want to have to do this job ever again. It's just too costly.

So would you say I just eat the cost and pick up the brand new AC Delco gold today? Or is it a waste of money and go with another rebuilt but from another mom & pop shop and give it a second chance?