Hello,

I think my alternators slowly dying, had a battery warning light on the dash when i was entering a roundabout today. When I got home and turned all electrical things on to test, I had a voltage of about 10.5V. THe heated front screen seems to take the most power and with this the headlights are dim

My question is: On changing the alternator, you have to remove the drive belt, but do you have to take it completly off of everything (like the AC compressor) or can you just unhook the belt from the alternator by hand then put the belt on the new alt.

you dont need to remove the belt completely, chances are though it will fall off the pulleys so make note of how it routes

[quote name='stef123' timestamp='1337188592' post='182892']
you dont need to remove the belt completely, chances are though it will fall off the pulleys so make note of how it routes
[/quote]

thanks and im just a bit worried about having to jack the car up and remove the front tyre for the alternator replacement. do I have to do any of this to replace the alternator? If I do, I just wont be confident in doing it

[quote name='suddste' timestamp='1337189117' post='182895']
thanks and im just a bit worried about having to jack the car up and remove the front tyre for the alternator replacement. do I have to do any of this to replace the alternator? If I do, I just wont be confident in doing it
[/quote]

no you should be able to do it all from above. there are 3 bolts holding the alternator IIRC. the top 2 with the torx ends are what tension the belt, slacken all 3 but remove the top 2 and the alternator will pull forward.

Excellent, I will be very happy if I manage to do it myself..The only thing im worried about is if I mess the belt up because the power steering is powered via this also

[quote name='suddste' timestamp='1337189548' post='182900']
Excellent, I will be very happy if I manage to do it myself..The only thing im worried about is if I mess the belt up because the power steering is powered via this also
[/quote]

make a quick sketch of how the belt is routed just in case it comes off. disconnect the battery first, you dont want to short out the positive terminal to earth with a spanner!! its quite an easy job actually.

[quote name='stef123' timestamp='1337189649' post='182901']
make a quick sketch of how the belt is routed just in case it comes off. disconnect the battery first, you dont want to short out the positive terminal to earth with a spanner!! its quite an easy job actually.
[/quote]

Do you know what tools I require? I know it's torx but not really sure what sort of torx i'm looking for here

[quote name='suddste' timestamp='1337195603' post='182919']
Do you know what tools I require? I know it's torx but not really sure what sort of torx i'm looking for here
[/quote]

basic spanners and sockets. its a female torx socket or spanner you will need but i cant remember the size

[quote name='stef123' timestamp='1337199908' post='182938']
basic spanners and sockets. its a female torx socket or spanner you will need but i cant remember the size
[/quote]

thanks. so just take out the top two bolts with a spanner, then loosen the bootom bolt, then push sideways to the left? AM I correct?

[quote name='suddste' timestamp='1337200838' post='182941']
thanks. so just take out the top two bolts with a spanner, then loosen the bootom bolt, then push sideways to the left? AM I correct?
[/quote]

pull the alternator forward, this will release the tension on the belt. then remove the bottom bolt. remove the electrical connectors first though

[quote name='stef123' timestamp='1337202245' post='182950']
pull the alternator forward, this will release the tension on the belt. then remove the bottom bolt. remove the electrical connectors first though
[/quote]

thank you

Hello,

Just had a look at how I could remove the alternator...

Are you sure it can be done as you said? It doesnt seem possible to me and I dont think the tension on the belt can be slackend by loosening the screws, it's a mk1.5 1.6L Zetec-SE with air conditioning

[quote name='suddste' timestamp='1337603479' post='183641']
Hello,

Just had a look at how I could remove the alternator...

Are you sure it can be done as you said? It doesnt seem possible to me and I dont think the tension on the belt can be slackend by loosening the screws, it's a mk1.5 1.6L Zetec-SE with air conditioning
[/quote]

Can you post a picture up?

Mine was also a 1.6 Zetec SE. the alternator pivots on the lower bolt, the top to pull the alternator in and this also pulls the belt tight

[quote name='stef123' timestamp='1337612052' post='183661']
Can you post a picture up?

Mine was also a 1.6 Zetec SE. the alternator pivots on the lower bolt, the top to pull the alternator in and this also pulls the belt tight
[/quote]

sure, here it is:

any ideas?

[quote name='suddste' timestamp='1337646534' post='183772']
any ideas?
[/quote]

Its the same as what mine was. remove the hex head bolt, loosen the bolt at the bottom and then use the stud to release the tension.

ok, thanks

[quote name='stef123' timestamp='1337699275' post='183815']
Its the same as what mine was. remove the hex head bolt, loosen the bolt at the bottom and then use the stud to release the tension.
[/quote]

sorry I have to ask another question. Can you just use a spanner to loosen or do you need torx also (for all screws)?

[quote name='suddste' timestamp='1338074758' post='184352']
sorry I have to ask another question. Can you just use a spanner to loosen or do you need torx also (for all screws)?
[/quote]

you only need torx to turn the stud, apart from that its hex spanners

[quote name='stef123' timestamp='1338237287' post='184544']
you only need torx to turn the stud, apart from that its hex spanners
[/quote]

ok so I definatly need torx to complete the job

Just tried to turn the nut at the top. It's rock solid I cant get it to turn. Any ideas on how to get it loose?

Spray it with WD-40. Leave it for 24 hours and try again. Do not attempt to loosen it with the wrong size of spanner/ bit. If it is still stuck, apply heat by means of a blow lamp and try again.

[quote name='Andy 1965' timestamp='1339263897' post='186494']
Spray it with WD-40. Leave it for 24 hours and try again. Do not attempt to loosen it with the wrong size of spanner/ bit. If it is still stuck, apply heat by means of a blow lamp and try again.
[/quote]

thanks

try a longer ratchet or spanner. if you dont have any try doing the trick where you join 2 combi spanners together.. ring end on the bolt, and put the ring end of another spanner on the open end. gives you twice as much leverage