Checking Alternator Pulley

[Seatdriver]

Hi all,

 

I am still tracking down the noise that hs developed on my Alhambra 130 55 plate.

 

Can anyone confirm that the alternator can be carefully turned using the fan blades in an anti clockwise direction when the aux belt is still in situ to confirm the free wheel in the pulley is working. Also anyone know how much resistance from the pulley in the free wheel direction there should be.

 

I ask this as I cannot get any anti-clockwise movement from the alternator blades and I put as much force on them as I dare. Suspect the puley has siezed up.

 

Thanks

Edited November 14, 2009 by Seatdriver

[dieselgal]

You should be able to turn it fairly easily in one direction if you poke a finger through the cooling slots in the casing. Be very careful if you use a screwdriver. If it's siezed then you'll see a lot of movement in the drive belt tensioner when the engine's idling. Mine was bad enough for the belt to contact the subframe.

 

You'll need a special tool to get the old one off, search this forum for 'alternator pulley' for more details.

[Seatdriver]

Thanks for the response.

 

Very good point regarding what to use when prodding the insides of the alternator.

 

I used the brush supplied with my dogs grooming kit (to clean the cutting head) as it is made of nylon, is about 3mm thick and 4mm wide. Oh it also is tapered and fits through the openings in the alternator easily with no chance of any bits of it breaking off, creating an electrical short or damaging the coating on the windings.

 

Mine will not move anti-clockwise at all, not a bit of movement so a polite word to my local main Seat dealer and time to discuss a price to change.

 

There is about 5mm movement on the tensioner when the engine is running.

 

I did notice that the alternator body seems to be corroded somewhat. Makes me wonder if water is being forced through the front of the car when driving in rain and washing with a power wash thus causing this corrosion and possible rusting of the insides of the pulley.

[dodalexander]

There is about 5mm movement on the tensioner when the engine is running.

 

My alternator pulley seized recently, and at idle the tensioner was constantly vibrating with around 5mm or more movement. After replacing the pulley the tensioner hardly moves at all when idling.

 

However the new pulley starts making a loud whistling noise after running for 10 minutes, so that's the next thing to sort out :rolleyes: