Hello,

All the guides I can find on the internet indicate that the alternator should be up at the back under the power steering reservoir, e.g. this video:

But when I look there on mine I don't see it:

In it's place is something else sitting on the belt with hoses attached, I'm guessing a pump of some sort.

Beneath that I can see the oil filter.

Where's the alternator on these?

Hi welcome :)

The first video is on a petrol focus, your alternator is at front of engine low down. If yours is mk 1 then you may need to remove intercooler to see it properly.

Thanks.

I can't find any guides on the internet that match my engine type - do you know where I can get the steps to replace the alternator?

Is it complicated?

Not to complicated, basically turn auxbelt tensioner clockwise to remove belt, disconnect alternator connections, then from underneath unbolt aircon pump if you have one, undo 3 pulley bracket bolts, loosen 3 coupler bolts, undo the 2 alternator fixing bolts, remove alternator,

OK I've bought a jack and some axle stands to have a stab at this tomorrow.

I'd really benefit from a guide to follow though - just a bit uncertain locating the auxbelt tensioner and aircon pump.

Is this a closer match to my engine?

(Mine's a FOCUS Mk1 DIESEL HATCHBACK - 1.8 TDCi 100 Zetec 5dr, 2003, manual)

Got it out. :) Wasn't too hard in the end. Will try to follow up with some pics.

OK: problem!

The replacement alternator I got is the correct part but it has the coupling attached, as does the original part, and the couplers are slightly different lengths:

I was thinking I could just swap couplers but I can't get the damned things off! Is there a trick to this or a special tool?

I put a socket on the retaining bolt but can't hold the alternator still.

Any bright ideas on how to get the couplers swapped?

Drop them round to a local garage and get them to swap them over, they will use a air gun to rattle the nuts off and on again.

Just to close this one off - a helpful local garage used their air gun to pop off the coupler in a vice.

Fitted the replacement alternator and all is working nicely again.

I've made a video showing roughly what I did to get the alternator out. Not a great video but better than nowt.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FgPgcprMt0o

Good to hear you got it sorted, unusual to have a final post to say there problem is fixed and how. Most of the time you never here any more, and wonder if the advise given has worked or not

:)