Technical Alternator help

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Technical Alternator help

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Mar 10, 2020
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After a funky electrical burning smell, and a full shut down of the car, had RAC out for recovery and after some tests it seems my alternators gone.
Looking to save a few pennies I was planning on doing it myself, but I can only find guides for the fiat Punto. Had a look underneath the car today and it is very tight around the alternator, to the point I don't know if I can get tools in there to remove it or actually get the alternator out if I could.
Has anyone else tackled this themselves? Or if you had it done by a mechanic how much did it cost?
Many thanks!
 
Hi Phi Qubo

Had much the same problem with my 2018 1.4 petrol (basic model). Quite possible that your alternator is in a different position to mine and may have an adjustable mount if it has aircon, so the following may not apply either in full or part.

On mine the alternator dead shorted the battery to earth. It's located behind the engine right underneath the scuttle drain so it gets doused with gritty water which may well freeze when the car is stationary. On mine I redirected the drain using a STP bottle as a tundish fixed to the bulkhead below the drain with a length of hose directing the outfall away from the alternator. Check yours out for the same condition - it could save the same thing happening again with your new alternator.

Mine was a pain largely because it has no belt adjustment so it relies on a stretch belt of a bastard length (unobtainable anywhere locally). Finished up fitting a slightly longer easily obtainable belt and spacered the alternator off the mount to restore belt tension. I think it would be a wise precaution to fit a new belt.

I think you will need to have the car safely up on axle stands with the battery disconnected, and remove the front wheel, front power steering belt guard, and the wheel arch liner for access. You may also have to remove the engine pulley, and back off the power steering belt adjustment to get that infernal stretch belt on. You may find it awkward getting the pulley mount bolts out and retightening adequately without locking the crankshaft - easiest way is to lock the clutch ring gear with a tool through any window in the clutch guard.

Maybe a wise precaution to change your battery too - it will have taken a pasting if the alternator has shorted it to earth (likely as you smelt burning)

My alternator was absolutely shot - casing had cracked in several places and the field coils were completely burnt out. Couldn't even offer it up in exchange.

I would say leave it to a garage unless you have good facilities and the tools.

Good hunting

QuboPete
 
Hi Phi Qubo

Had much the same problem with my 2018 1.4 petrol (basic model). Quite possible that your alternator is in a different position to mine and may have an adjustable mount if it has aircon, so the following may not apply either in full or part.

On mine the alternator dead shorted the battery to earth. It's located behind the engine right underneath the scuttle drain so it gets doused with gritty water which may well freeze when the car is stationary. On mine I redirected the drain using a STP bottle as a tundish fixed to the bulkhead below the drain with a length of hose directing the outfall away from the alternator. Check yours out for the same condition - it could save the same thing happening again with your new alternator.

Mine was a pain largely because it has no belt adjustment so it relies on a stretch belt of a bastard length (unobtainable anywhere locally). Finished up fitting a slightly longer easily obtainable belt and spacered the alternator off the mount to restore belt tension. I think it would be a wise precaution to fit a new belt.


I would say leave it to a garage unless you have good facilities and the tools.

Good hunting

QuboPete

Great info, 👍

The punto also had issues with the scuttle drain "rinsing" the alternator,

There was a modified drain tube available from the factory

You can potentially do similar..
 
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