Replacing Alternator

[ice_mantis]

Hi all,

Im going to replace my alternator this weekend, first big job sice ive had the car, and wondered if there are any little things I should look out for when doing this?

Already had a few people offer to help out but really wan't to try doing this myself!

[SlvrCrb]

SNAP!!!

As far as I can tell from PH searches and a chat with my indy this morning.

1) Spray all retaining bolts etc with WD 40 the day before. Get a magnetic screwtip thingy to collect any bolts that drop in the vee

2) Remove the fuel rail (and induction hoses if a 4.5) and plug the injectors to stop any crap falling in.

3) Remove the alternator.

4) Get plasters from indoors for scraped knuckles.

5) Refit new alternator.

6) Refit the fuel rail.

Job's a goodun. Apprx 2-3 hours.

>> Edited by SlvrCrb on Thursday 20th April 16:11

[ice_mantis]

Thanks, usefull tip about good old WD before hand!!
Pretty much what E3D had already told me!

[trackcar]

as your car appears to be a 4.5 from your profile piccie you'll have to remove one inlet manifold and make sure you baalnce the airflows up afterwards as they rarely go back in the same place.

[Extra 300 Driver]

trackcar said:

as your car appears to be a 4.5 from your profile piccie you'll have to remove one inlet manifold and make sure you baalnce the airflows up afterwards as they rarely go back in the same place.

Joolz its a 4.2, cheated with the wheels!

[nemasis]

ohh and make sure you re tie wrap the fuel lines back to the fuel rail away from the alternator belt!!!!!!!

[ice_mantis]

Thanks guys!
However, I attempted changing it tonight, got the old one out, put the new one in place, but.......
Pulley/Wheel on the new alternator is about twice the size of the old one, so the belt is too small to reach up and around it. Anyone had the same problem before? Can I get a slightly larger belt anywhere??? Help!!!!!

[nemasis]

you will have to use the pully from the original alternator m8

[ice_mantis]

But doesn't that mean taking the whole thing apart?
Would I be better to see if the supplier can do me a different one or are all the newer ones like this?

[trackcar]

you've got a alternator for a chim/griff .. it's the same apart from teh pulley size.

[ice_mantis]

Oh! Well the one I ordered said it was for all:

[url] This One|http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/TVR-100AMP-NEW- [/url]

Wheres a good place to get a pulley remover from?




>> Edited by ice_mantis on Thursday 20th April 22:56

[Extra 300 Driver]

Its easy to change.

If you get a chance drop over and I will do it. I am flying tomorrow PM though.

[ice_mantis]

Thanks, im out tomorrow so will have to wait until Sat!

[SlvrCrb]

How did it go IM?

Mine was a complete b*stid as I got the same alternator as you off ebay and needed to change the pulley wheel.

My revised job list.

1 hour to get the alternator out.
2 hours to get the pulley wheel off trying not to damage it or the alternator. (failed on both counts)
2 hours of cleaning up the pulley wheel with a needle file.
2 hours looking for the fecking adjustment nut that "I had in my bloody hand 5 minutes ago"
1 hour to put alternator back in.
1 hour to take it back out as a nut fell under the coil packs plate just out of reach of any magnetic type thingy.
30 minutes to remove and replace alternator seating plate.
1 hour to put alternator back back in.
1 hour test drive
Finish up, close garage door and proceed to find lost nut 2 foot from garage door.

So my 2-3 hours, jobs a goodun statement was in fact 11.5 hours over 3 days but job was still a goodun.

[ice_mantis]

SlvrCrb said:

How did it go IM? Mine was a complete b*stid as I got the same alternator as you off ebay and needed to change the pulley wheel. My revised job list. 1 hour to get the alternator out. 2 hours to get the pulley wheel off trying not to damage it or the alternator. (failed on both counts) 2 hours of cleaning up the pulley wheel with a needle file. 2 hours looking for the fecking adjustment nut that "I had in my bloody hand 5 minutes ago" 1 hour to put alternator back in. 1 hour to take it back out as a nut fell under the coil packs plate just out of reach of any magnetic type thingy. 30 minutes to remove and replace alternator seating plate. 1 hour to put alternator back back in. 1 hour test drive Finish up, close garage door and proceed to find lost nut 2 foot from garage door. So my 2-3 hours, jobs a goodun statement was in fact 11.5 hours over 3 days but job was still a goodun.

Oh dear, sounds like you had a right old time of it!!

I feel like mine was easy now in comparison:

Thursday night:
1 hour to take fuel rail off and alternator out
30 mins trying to put new alternator in and stretch and pull the belt until realising theres no way it will with the pulley being to big!

Friday:
Leave old and new alternator with other halfs dad to take to S.A.M.E.S in Westcliff to get the pulley swapped over for me, apparently they had a time of it as the hex bolt was rusted, took the pros an hour but top job done, only £10 and no hassle for me!

Friday night:
Got in late so was dark, spent 30 mins fitting in new alternator to make sure it was ok and adjusted tension etc, left the rest until morning.

Sat Morning:
Early start, 20 mins putting fuel rail back in and connecting other pipes and cables.

Turn on ignition, fire her up ..... or not in this case!!
Try jumping off the MX5, but the AAA battery in that was no where near powerfull enough!
Call AA, they were out within the hour, clamped their cables on, turned ignition on .... 3... 2...1....... vrooom!!!!!!

Took her out for 30 mins, been fine since!!

So my totals were about:
2hrs 20 mins of my labour
1 hour waiting for AA
1 hour for S.A.M.E.S to swap pulley
30mins pleasurable driving getting the charge back into the battery!!


Oh, and lots of thanks to Extra300Driver for helpfull advice along the way!!

>> Edited by ice_mantis on Monday 24th April 21:20

[Extra 300 Driver]

ice_mantis said:

Oh, and lots of thanks to Extra300Driver for helpfull advice along the way!!

No problem, glad its all sorted.

If you need and mechanicals doing, you have the number of Tony and Gordon at Carlow Engineering, top top guys, and real engineers not quick fit fitters!