Technical Alternator Problem & Fault Finding

[JamesAtthews]

Hi

The jack lifted the engine up by literally only a few millimetres, but it was enough to increase the clearance.

I'll take a photo of it going through the gap.

Cheers

James

 

[JamesAtthews]

Right Gents

As promised, I have taken a couple of photos of dubious quality, showing the alternator slipping through the gap between the bulkhead (specifically the power steering pipe joints) and the driveshaft.

As I mentioned earlier, I took the alternator out without removing the bearing of the idler driveshaft, as people have advised that you do have to. I can confirm, with evidence that you can simply jack the engine forward on it's mounts to give you that magic couple of millimetres that you need.

The first photo shows the alternator going through the gap in the small access hole

The next two photos show the alternator sat in the space, below where it normally lives.

One thing that I will say is that the bottom bolt is easy, but the top one really got me, there is a spacer to balance between your fingertips while you push the bolt through, whilst being careful not to drop the washer, all the time you can't see a fecking thing. Then you need to tighten the nut and bolt at 1/16th of a turn at a time, whilst working against gravity, my arms still hurt 3 hours on!

Still, I honestly can say that it is not as bad a job as A), ones that I've done (cam belt and rear suspension arm bearings) and B) as other people on here have stated, and I am by no means a mechanic. What I would say is have a go if needs be, but ffs choose warmer weather!

Cheers for your help.

James

 

[JTDman]

Ive just been fighting with mine, mine started making a loud metalic knocking sound worse at idle , (poss alternator clutch pulley) the upper rear nut i just cannot reach its a bugger, need to get stands on the job just on a jack atm and didnt want to chance it.

 

[JamesAtthews]

Hi

I have just done mine on an axle stand and a jack, so it can be done, but your fingers have to be in all sorts of spasticated positions (is that not PC?), however if I had bigger hands then I would have really struggled, however by the same token I don't have lady hands either.

If you need anything, post on here and I'll try and help.

Cheers

James

 

[JTDman]

Ive got a bunch of sausages for fingers (no horse all beef) so im struggling getting hold of the nut at the rear of the upper bolt , seems to be a heat shield in the way and an immovable pipe.
Going to have another go in a bit but thanks for the offer.

 

[BikeDoc]

It's definitely a 'fingertips only' job, getting that upper forward bolt out and in again.
Luckily, as it's so well tucked away from road spray and cr*d, mine was easily turned by hand (fingertips) once 'cracked' with a socket.

 

[guizzo]

Hi, a few months ago I had a fault on the dash "faulty alternator, contact garage" it disappeared after a few minutes and came on again for another few minutes and the it disappeared again. Today I got the tracking done because I've had new tyres fitted, the others were scrubbed on the inside edges.
When I started the car up to drive home, the same message was on the dash with the battery lamp illuminated, could this be linked to the tracking being
done? I can't imagine what could have happened during the job to cause this but it seems too much of a coincidence to me.

 

[BikeDoc]

...could this be linked to the tracking being
done?...

No.
Multis seem to be prone to all sorts of messages popping up if your Battery is getting a bit low, or 'on the way out' generally, basically if your voltage is a bit low for any reason.
It could be the Alternator is on it's 'last legs', but check all the connections as a starting point (Battery leads, earthing straps, main lead from Alt to starter).
Disconnect, clean, and refit them, and give them a dose of WD40/Waxoyl/Duck Oil/etc afterwards.

 

[JTDman]

Well i dropped the middle shaft joint and romoved the shaft from the box , struggled with the shaft bearing holder then thought feck it and dropped the front engine mount with the engine supported on a jack and lowered the jack until it cleared the inner drive shaft bearing holder and out.
I also had removed the upper mount of the engine the one that goes to the cambelt pulley area.

 

[Madass]

Hi
I have successfully replaced my alternator in my 115JTD using JamesAtthews method as described in this thread.
Cheers James!

Simon.

 

[dave]

Hi
I have successfully replaced my alternator in my 115JTD using JamesAtthews method as described in this thread.
Cheers James!

Simon.

https://www.fiatforum.com/donations.php