Alternator

[dipsomaniac]

It really hasn't been my year - autobox, waterpump, belt tensioner, girl driving into car - now the alternator bearing is knackered. Just priced one up at local motor factor -

[Guest vr6galaxy]

Not had that pleasure :) but I'm told the easiest way is to remove the headlight and get at the alternator through there, once you have detensioned the aux drive belt of course, have fun :angry:

they dont show any replacement bearing on the parts listing B) but I cant see why a good motor rebuild shop shouldnt be able to do the job?

[Guest vr6galaxy]

these guys want

[dipsomaniac]

thanks again vr6. i need to remove alternator to see if i can just replace the bearing. is it easy to de-tension/tension aux belt?

[Guest vr6galaxy]

M8X80 mm bolt inserted into the threaded hole on the tensioner, when this is wound in it detensions the belt, maybe worth while replaceing the belt while your there?

[Justice]

Let me know the part number and I can supply one nearly half that price.

[dipsomaniac]

thanks, will get part number monday.

[Guest vr6galaxy]

It's either a 120A or 150A Bosch unit depending on vehicle spec? heated seats, screen ..... etc

[dipsomaniac]

Just looked on TIS. Have only got the ver. with MK2 Galaxy workshop manual. Procedure for removing alternator includes removing:

 

undertray

aux belt

front pipe to cat

roll restrictor

air cleaner

r/h engine mount (slide engine back)

power steering pump

a/c compressor

 

I am beginning to have second thoughts about doing it myself as I would need to raise the vehicle. Can somebody please confirm the procedure for a MK1? I was hoping that a shortcut was removing the headlight as VR6 has mentioned above.

[Guest vr6galaxy]

I though yours is a 98 model?

[dipsomaniac]

It is a 1998 model. I only have the tis version with the mk2 workshop manual. Do you know if the procedure is the same for my mk1?

[Guest vr6galaxy]

98 = Mk1 2.8 VR6 12V which means out through the head light :ph34r: no undertray off or other parts to be removed unless you feel the need to do so :lol:

[dipsomaniac]

thanks VR6. i appreciate your help. will have a look tomorrow.

[Guest vr6galaxy]

Pop into Halfords and get a Haynes manual, doesnt cover the VR6 but gives you load of info on over things that come in handy :ph34r: including how to remove the alternator on the 2.3 which is very similar to procedure on the VR6 eg via the head light :lol:

[dipsomaniac]

VR6 - Have not been able to go out to get a Haynes manual. Removed headlight today but still can't get to the alternator as there is a lot of rivoted plastic preventing access. If I rip that out I can't see how I would be able to replace it.

 

Can you or anyone please advise further?

 

Am going down the replacement bearing route as I have been quoted under

[Guest vr6galaxy]

They are not rivets in the sense of them being a use once only type, you have to remove the center pin and then they pop out :( the pin opens opens up the main body of the rivet and holds it in place a bit like a rawl plug :(

once the pin is removed they should with a bit of gentle help pop out, to refit them pop them back into place and press the pin home till its level with the top of the cap

[dipsomaniac]

Its a good job that i am not a doctor. i was convinced after putting my home made stethoscope (screwdriver) onto the aternator that this was where the noise was coming from.

 

After deciding that i didn't have the facilities and tools to remove the alternator i took it to my local Lucas to remove and re-condition. Once they had the car on the ramps they found that it wasn't the alternator but the a/c compressor - OUCH!

 

I am now in the position of the car being in a place which is not a vechicle a/c specialist and unmoveable without a new a/c compressor and re-gas.

 

Ford quoted

[dipsomaniac]

Just an update for anyone finding themselves in the same situation.

 

Took compressor to air con specialists (not much fun to carry on your back whilst cycling uphill with the wind in your face). They said that the problem was terminal and was very common on Galaxys. They could replace the bearing but it would only have a very short life expectancy and that the car would suffer from a higher temperature.

 

Decided on a new unit (credit card)

[Guest vr6galaxy]

 

New years resolution - to work a lot harder and earn more money.

Where as mine is similer but not!

 

to work a lot less and earn loads more money. :o

 

glad to hear it will all get sorted but not about the cost of it all :o

yours sitting here waiting for a parcel to be delivered for the third day :blink:

[dipsomaniac]

I thought it didn't sound right as I was typing it VR6 - less work it is then. Hope your parcel has now arrived?

 

I haven't got the car back yet so can't say whether it has been worth the money. All I can say is If I wouldn't have questioned Fords prices it would have costed me approx

[Guest vr6galaxy]

It's here :o luckily :o it's the eldest girls main present! a new pc :o finally decided that haveing my old cast offs was not good enough for her :o so I had a bare bones system built for her, nice bit of kit :) nice little book case size unit :blink: makes my full sized job look like a suit case stuck under the desk! now loading XP media on to it and haveing loads of fun NOT :o on the sixth attempt so far :o I hate XP come back 98SE2 all is forgiven :D

hope you get your Galaxy back before they shut down for the holidays and the sun shines and we hit the high 60/70's so you can test it out :o

 

 

up and running :D all software loaded, just need to hook the sky tv feed and we have lift off

Edited December 22, 2005 by vr6galaxy

[dipsomaniac]

Got car back this afternoon. Good job it was a nice day because air con and only air con was working. I couldn't get any of the vents (only the wife) to emit any hot air even after setting the cc to hi.

 

I initially thought it was because the outside temperature was 10 degrees. Tried it again tonight, still cold until I set the cc to low and then when I increased the temp the hot air starting to come out of the vents.

 

Very pleased with the job. It is fantastic to have a nice quiet smooth car again.