Delphi to Hitachi

[Moisesa4]

Long story short, my alternator shit the bed and being that I have an 04 I have a few decisions to make. I can find a used Delphi for cheap and hope it lasts (mine lasted 120k), sell a testicle and buy from the dealer, or buy a used Hitachi locally for a decent price and convert to the updated alternator. My question is, am I able to just buy the two coolant hoses from a dealer? Or are the hoses in the JHM kit something I can only get from them? I plan on calling them in the next day or two but sometimes their response time is slower (not a disgruntled customer at all, I'm just pressed for time) So I thought I'd put the question out there and see if any of you guys might know that answer. I'm hoping its as easy as just buying two B7 specific hoses. Thanks guys.

PS- I have 120k on the clock and running strong.

[BCsniper]

Honestly I don't think it's a big deal to just get another Delphi unit. This one lasted 8 years and 120k miles, if the next one goes that long then you won't have to worry about replacing it again for a long time. That being said, the Hitachi does seem to be more reliable and there's not much to swapping in the different unit. JHM should be able to sell you just the hose connections, or at least give you the part numbers so you can get it at the dealer if you are in a hurry since you are on the East Coast.

[Moisesa4]

Thanks for the reply. I think I'm just going to go hitachi and be done with it. Hopefully it'll last as long as the engine lasts. I'm trying to break the record on longest lasting early 04 engine. Thanks again

[BCsniper]

...where are you up to?

My last S4 ('04) was up to 130k miles when I had it, and supposedly the engine is still running strong in another car.
Also there are a number of folks with 150k miles on their B6 (which was usually immediately followed with a broken guide/tensioner/cam adjuster)


Somebody posted a craisglist ad with a Nogaro with 175k miles, but it likely has had it motor replaced or a timing service. I'm sure my new S4 will get up to 200k miles but it got a new engine at 97k miles so that isn't really saying that much.

[Moisesa4]

I'm just shy of 120k, like 119.5. I bought it with 92k and zero service records. I know now that was insane of me but in the last 30k miles I've only had 1 cat go bad and this alternator issue. Well I dont have a/c either but my Econ light is stuck on so I may be in luck. Not too bad considering buying this car knowing nothing. It does rattle only on cold cold morning but since I got the JHM tune the rattle has nearly gone away, only showing up a few times and sounding much less harsh. The car really only likes Mobil 1 too. I have been concentrating on mostly preventative maintenance, I buy used parts when I see them so often my living room looks like a parts department. I almost sold the car but no one will give enough money for these cars, and most dealers don't understand it's not an A4. I realize I would have hated myself for selling it so Im going to keep it knowing I will have to eventually replace it with a new engine which I'm fine with, I really love driving this car. So as of now she's doing great and my hardest decision is if I should drive the S4 or my newly acquired 1970 Yamaha R5. Life's a bitch, I know.
Oh and by the way, I got a PM from Jake at JHM about the alternators and the hoses needed and he hooked me up with a quote and all the info I needed. All this done for me without having to even call them. This company is great and will always be where I send my money.

[Moisesa4]

Haha one large paragraph. The IPhone really is the future right?

[b00st]

i was stuck in the same dilemma....04 s4 and my delphi took a shit on me...locked up so bad it broke my alt mount that mounts to the engine block.

i was offered a delphi off an 04 s4 on the cheap had 85k on it. my car has 71k. i don't want to revisit the issue....i ended up with JHM hitachi unit with the 2 hard pipes and needing an alt mount at $181 too.

but since there is no telling when the units will go...i think it was because of my long commute in stop and go traffic everyday that caused my failure but who knows....what i do know...is i don't want to do it again.