Motorcraft remans- better quality than big retail?

[ford46guy]

my starter on the MGM corroded out, intermittent starts, and the key terminal broke off. I probably could have gotten away with a solenoid, but the brush cable looked ratty so I went with a Motorcraft reman. I could have gotten the carquest/Advance one for about 40$ less(with the coupon), but I was put off by some reviews.

The starter is a big pita to install, but looking at the starter I wonder if they are all made in the same factory and a different sticker goes on the box. On one hand I want to believe Ford has an interest in quality because a comeback will cost them. I think the warranty is two years. Then again the advance auto lifetime warranty is attractive, but you know the story with those. The place that sold it to me said he don't remember one coming back in years(starters specifically), and they sell to shops, DIYs, and of course the techs there.

Does anyone know if extra quality/checks goes into the dealer reman parts? The prices are pretty much the same as big box retail now, so it makes me wonder.

 

[Chris142]

The guy that used to own the starter and alternator rebuild shop next to us told me that they were all the same.just a different box

 

[Vern_in_IL]

Why would you buy a remanufacutered from the dealer? I agree, it's probably contracted out to the same people. I only buy NEW parts at the dealer, they will most likely be built by the OEM.(the new parts) at the same quality levels(sometimes cosmetic defect parts are rejected for OEM build and sent as service by the supplier)

 

[ford46guy]

Originally Posted By: Vern_in_IL
Why would you buy a remanufacutered from the dealer? I agree, it's probably contracted out to the same people. I only buy NEW parts at the dealer, they will most likely be built by the OEM.(the new parts) at the same quality levels(sometimes cosmetic defect parts are rejected for OEM build and sent as service by the supplier)

1) It is approved for Ford warranty work
2) Without coupons the price was actually a bit less than anywhere else(106), only Advance would have been cheaper, and they had a bunch of not so great reviews.
3) Ford don't make these new.

Was told by another dealer that their units could possibly be made with other brands, but there is a Motorcraft rep there and extra quality checks take place on their product. Their reject could end up in Advance Auto.

Dealing with online and core shipping would save a few bucks (talking 10-15) and I needed the car today.

 

[Trav]

I have been in a Ford parts rebuilding facility years ago, it was a whole different ball game than something like Cardone, they did a nice job on the parts and tested them extensively.
I don't know if Ford still has their own rebuilding centers but I am sure that even if they contract out now they maintain a high quality standard. GM is the same, the rebuilds are much better than anything from AA, AZ, etc.

 

[BrocLuno]

Out here, we have Fleetline. They rebuild starters and alternators for the trucking industry. Excellent quality and they spin hard. Only thing I use for a big block Chevy.

For an OEM motor, I'll usually go Napa Auto rebuild as their warranty is good. Some is lifetime. Proved advantageous on my wife's Jag. About 6 years into service, rebuilt alternator went out (not uncommon with these, new or rebuilt) and went to Napa, got another. It's pricey if you have to pay ... Been fine since

I will say that you should only use MotorCraft solenoids on starters. Lost one on the '88 Big Bronco. Stuck an Echlin in there. Had it weld on in the fueling area at Costco. Burned ou the starter and some cables. Could have been the whole place. Stuck in a MotorCraft (as advised on all the Bronco boards) and zero issues since. More money, but way better reliability.

 

[ford46guy]

I think anything is better than "new" rotating parts. They are made in China by the lowest bidder, and they aren't cheap either. I had a string of NAPA new alternators fail, even they apologized. Their reman one lasts years.

Here one starter rusted out in 3 months.

http://www.autozone.com/batteries-starti.../?checkfit=true

 

[Billbert]

Originally Posted By: Chris142
The guy that used to own the starter and alternator rebuild shop next to us told me that they were all the same.just a different box

He was misinformed, there are a number of different rebuilders out there.

 

[Ethan1]

A Motorcraft reman part performs like a new part, full stop. They are used for warranty work on brand new vehicles. The new part numbers will eventually supercede to the xxxxxxRM reman part numbers.

As a general rule, replacing a part with OEM new or OEM reman means you never have to touch that part again.

 

[MiKe3o]

I worked in a ford dealer for some time and OEM stuff does last longer and fit better. But I was told by once that small shops that rebuild starters and alts use better internals. A warranty repair hurts them more than the big remans guys.

Makes sence to me

 

[artificialist]

On some Youtube videos, Ford claims that they reject more old cores than most remanufacturing companies do.
Here is an example:
It is mentioned at 4:12, 9:50, 16:20

Rejecting more rotten cores mades sense to me. I think of all the rebuilt CV axles that are a huge gamble, some last a long time, some are junk after one year.

 

[JMJNet]

Try to get a NEW Motorcraft.

Or, if there is equivalent starter by Powermaster, that is a good brand.
At least for GM's truck.

 

[andyd]

Maybe apples and oranges. The Rat has a new starter, Chinese made and sold on Amazon for 38$. Despite misgivings, I gambled. A day later, the starter was on my doorstep. It was identical to the OEM in appearance. It came with a page of test results and it passed them all. The Rat's not a daily driver. Plus its a 5 spd. It has been nearly a year and it starts easily. I couldn't buy the rebuild kit for what I paid.

I don't like Chinese stuff. But by being choosy and lucky, I've done all right. Rebuilt stuff is always a [censored] shoot. I normally go for used over re-built. I also don'y core my bad part immediately. At least I know it worked at one time.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

Originally Posted By: andyd
Rebuilt stuff is always a [censored] shoot. I normally go for used over re-built.


what?

How is used any less of a [censored] shoot than rebuilt?

 

[The_Jeff]

Used was generated on an assembly line in a clean room by the thousands by workers who know the Quality Control requirements. Rebuilts are disassembled on a dirty workbench in China/ Mexico, checked over with less precise precision instruments, and slapped together with cost in mind.

So goes the story.

Rebuilt CV axles for example have the hardened metal ground off.

I'm lucky (?) cars rust out so I can get good powertrain parts in the yards here. At about the eight year mark I can get used stuff faster/ cheaper than the big box (advance) parts stores. They eventually lower their prices, but at the 8 year mark stuff is still frightfully expensive. A rebuilt alt for an ecotec is (was) near $200.

 

[Silverado12]

Originally Posted By: eljefino
Used was generated on an assembly line in a clean room by the thousands by workers who know the Quality Control requirements. Rebuilts are disassembled on a dirty workbench in China/ Mexico, checked over with less precise precision instruments, and slapped together with cost in mind.

So goes the story.

Rebuilt CV axles for example have the hardened metal ground off.

I'm lucky (?) cars rust out so I can get good powertrain parts in the yards here. At about the eight year mark I can get used stuff faster/ cheaper than the big box (advance) parts stores. They eventually lower their prices, but at the 8 year mark stuff is still frightfully expensive. A rebuilt alt for an ecotec is (was) near $200.



We have the opposite problem down here. Unless you find a low mileage wreck ($$$), then it's all high miles, worn out junk. The good side is you can keep a car pretty much forever as we don't have enough snow to rust anything.

 

[asand1]

I went to a local rebuilder and bought a Bendix, brush pack, and solenoid for $70. Rebuilt the PMGR starter for my 4.6 98 F250LD myself and works great.

 

[asand1]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IS1QVtCLoVw

 

[zzyzzx]

Originally Posted By: asand1
I went to a local rebuilder and bought a Bendix, brush pack, and solenoid for $70. Rebuilt the PMGR starter for my 4.6 98 F250LD myself and works great.


+1 for the above comment. It is exactly what I would do. Having said that, I mail order the parts that I need since I have another car that I can drive.

 

[AdRock]

Originally Posted By: JMJNet
Try to get a NEW Motorcraft.

Or, if there is equivalent starter by Powermaster, that is a good brand.
At least for GM's truck.


A NEW Motorcraft in the red and white box might not be the best deal. Motorcraft parts can be much different than the Ford parts in the blue and white boxes. I bought a set of Motorcraft O2 sensors for my Mustang and it said "Made In China" right on the front of the bag. I had them in the car for a month before I started having issues. Replaced them with a set of Bosch sensors and all is well. The Motorcraft bake pads we put on my stepmothers Lincoln last night said Made In Italy on the box. The TPS sensor I put on my F150 said Made In Mexico on the box.