Alternator workshop!

redlady_1

I have a Golf GT Tdi which has just notified me of this little issue. However, I am aware that dodgy electrics are a "feature" of the older models (03 plate) and to be fair mine have had a mind of their own since I bought the car.

I am guessing that this warning is not a good thing and has a significant amount of cash attached to it. My dad is in the trade but unfortunately is 200 miles away from me.

What I would like to know is is this an emergency or would it be possible to push it out until I go up North mid Oct please?

redlady_1

I am a bird - what do you think???

Where am I likely to find that please? Could it be just the belt slipping or something then?

Ghostrider

The alternator/aux belt is fairly easy to check, it should feel pretty tight if you try to move it.

If you stand in front of the car (with the bonnet up ) in front of the engine on the left side of it, if you look down you should see the top pulley and the rubber belt running over it.

Have a look at this video on Youtube and at 00:13 you will see exactly what i'm on about.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g0BTXUeFcE8

Have a go and see if it feels lose at all.

redlady_1

Cheers Ghost. Will have a look in the morning - if I can find the bonnet catch!

If the alternator is going (or indeed this belt) is it a big job?

Just watched the video. I would have put that down as a fan belt!! I may have cracked DIY but cars....Oh no, no, no.

Ghostrider

A fan belt is a bit of an old fashioned term, but the give away would be that it's attached to the fan!

Alternators aren't cheap but it's not the most horrendous of things to go wrong. Are you asking in terms of doing the job yourself? Or would you take it to a garage?

In terms of parts prices, a new belt will cost about £12, the tensioner will be about £40, and an alternator could be between £100-200 depending on the model of your car and where you buy it from.

I'd recommend having the car checked over though as it still may not even be alternator related. It could be something like a tired battery even...

Hammyman

redlady_1 wrote: »

I am a bird - what do you think???

Don't say that to my missus, she'd be well offended.
My wife does a lot of work on her car.

Gloomendoom

Ghostrider wrote: »

A fan belt is a bit of an old fashioned term, but the give away would be that it's attached to the fan!

I know nothing about Golfs but I bet it isn't.

Ghostrider

Gloomendoom wrote: »

I know nothing about Golfs but I bet it isn't.

It may not be on a golf specifically but...its called it for a reason.

"A fan belt connects the engine cooling fan to the alternator and crankshaft pulley. Belts are also used to power components such as the air conditioner compressor, the power steering pump and the water pump"

redlady_1

Doing the job myself??? I don't even know where half of the stuff is (apart from the washer bottle and oil!) I will be taking it to a garage but having been ripped off before I kind of need to have a bit of an idea of what may be wrong before I get there.

He needs a new cambelt (hence I am going home for pa to sort it out) but when I asked at a garage down here they started spouting all sorts of other toss at me. Luckily I had a bit of an idea and just looked at them, said thanks and walked out.

Hammy - I wish I could do work on it but I dont want to go near it!

auroan

Common fault on the higher mileage PD TDI engines. Don't be conned into getting a new alternator if it sounds rough though. 9 times out of 10 the alt is fine.

Two things. One could be the belt tensioner, or the clutched pulley on the alternator. Due to the amount of ancills around the area of the alternator... it's a bit of a pain to do. (I've just done both on a Skoda octavia, and have the knuckle rash to go with it)

Luckly once you get the water bottle/expansion tank/fuel filter/boost hose and expansion tank out of the way... getting the pulley and tensioner off is a doddle ( with the correct tool that is)

I paid £26 for the alt pulley and £28 for the tensioner, for my other half's Octavia.

redlady_1

Now that has gone right over my head!!! But it certainly doesnt sound rough.

However, the light has not come back on since last night en route to the gym. If that is the case and it doesnt come back on at all then next month when I go home I will get it checked out just to be sure.

Thanks for all your help.