Anyone have experience with a failing alternator on an X350?

Just 60 days after my Select Edition Warranty expires the car begins howling every other day.

My indie mechanic takes a look and says the alternator is worn. He finds this surprising though as he seldom sees them go on the X350, especially on a car with just 60k miles. He calls around and alternators aren't stocked by many parts suppliers. A rebuilt unit is nowhere to be found so the only option is new for $700.

I pick the car up and the howling is gone (temporary no doubt, unlike a cut on the finger car parts don't heal themselves). Still I've bought a window of time to research.

Has anyone else had an alternator fail early? If so what symptoms did the car present? And any suggestions on sourcing a replacement part? I called a couple forum sponsors and the going rate appears to be $700 with a few days notice for them to source the part. Is the only option to buy new?

 

A couple suppliers on eBay list brand new units for $160 - $180 range, well below the $700 range I've been quoted elsewhere. The eBay suppliers have tens of thousands of feedbacks and 99+% positive. Any thoughts or advice on going the eBay route for car parts? An 80% discount is significant, and the parts come with a one year warranty, but is this too good to be true?

 

Hi I have a 2000 xj8. I do all my work myself so I put a new alternator on my car. I paid 170 for a Denso replacement alternator I put that on 3 years ago and never had a problem. U just need to make sure the amperaage output is correct for your car. A 2004 xj8 can't b much different an alternator is basically the same nomatter what year. If u are going to a mechanic they can sometimes mark up the retail price double what they pay for it. I know u can get a top of the line alternator with a lifetime warranty for 350. I have had about 20 jaguars in my life all different years and I have used aftermarket and rebuilt alternators and I don't remember ever having a problem. It's the output voltage is what is important. Symptoms of a bad alternator would be constant dead battery. Usually a warning light will come on that happens when the alternator starts charging below 12.5 volts. Also u could see the headlights seem dimmer than usual. Also another sign could b a wining sound comming from the alternator because a bearing is bad. I do think yours went way earlier than should have but electrical parts have been known to b defective. These are my experiences. Good luck

 

Howling noises that come from the engine bay are more often than not from failing bearings. The number one problem on many cars that I had that developed this "howling" noise was either a bad belt tensioner or a bad idler pulley. Their bearings essentially dry up and disintegrate with heat and time. Make sure is not one of those before spending the big bucks.

 

Bearings also go bad in alternators too. Any competent alternator rebuilding shop should be able to completely rebuild a Denso or Bosch alternator for around $200.