Alternator Broken, Possible Water Damage?

[Niall]

So, my alternator is knackered. Car broke down on NYE with a flat battery, and the AA man quickly diagnosed the alternator which I'd known might have been a problem for a little while because of the STOP and battery light that had been flickering. The AA man got it working again by giving it a few taps with a hammer, he mentioned the brushes inside sticking as a probable cause of it failing.

I was looking back through the paperwork and it has already had a new alternator in 2015, so this seems a bit peculiar.

Now, I thought it was funny that I could see my alternator through the top grille next to the radiator, and after looking at my mate's 182 his has a little plastic guard behind the grille so his alternator isn't visible.


I'm wondering if water has got into it and caused some kind of corrosion? Thoughts?

 

[car.crash]

Mines just failed and I don't have the plastic guard either

 

[bloke]

what make alternator? battery ok?

 

[Niall]

what make alternator? battery ok?

It's a Valeo alternator. Battery is fine just very low on charge now because of the alternator hence the breakdown so I'll get that charged. The AA guy checked the alternator and it was putting out 3A, so definitely the issue.

 

[bloke]

battery can kill an alternator so make sure you get it charged and checked.

 

[STEVE.M]

New York Expressway is not the best place to break down.

 

[Niall]

New York Expressway is not the best place to break down.

:wink:

 

[Niall]

Any ideas where I could find one of these guards guys?

 

[Amos91]

I seem to recall its very expensive new from Renault for what it is. Try breakers like Renparts, Tim Finch on Facebook etc.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Renault-C...671897?hash=item211d127dd9:g:ZU8AAOSwa~BYXR6O

 

[Niall]

I seem to recall its very expensive new from Renault for what it is. Try breakers like Renparts, Tim Finch on Facebook etc.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Renault-C...671897?hash=item211d127dd9:g:ZU8AAOSwa~BYXR6O

Cheers! Going to ask some people breaking their cars too.

 

[Niall]

Got one coming to me now from a breaker 172. New alternator's going on with aux kit etc, not cheap but hopefully future proofed.

 

[leedsboy]

Got one coming to me now from a breaker 172. New alternator's going on with aux kit etc, not cheap but hopefully future proofed.

Are you getting somewhere to fit the new alternator and aux belt? If so, how much is it costing you if you don't mind me asking?

I ask as when I had my belts done, Mick @ Diamond mentioned something to do with my alternator isn't a genuine one and is running a smaller belt so the standard genuine aux belt wouldn't fit.

 

[JamesBryan]

Are you getting somewhere to fit the new alternator and aux belt? If so, how much is it costing you if you don't mind me asking?

I ask as when I had my belts done, Mick @ Diamond mentioned something to do with my alternator isn't a genuine one and is running a smaller belt so the standard genuine aux belt wouldn't fit.

You're looking at about £300 to replace the alternator and aux belt kit.

Alternator is £190 from Renault Wolverhampton on an exhange basis, so you get £24 back from them when you give them the old one.

 

[leedsboy]

You're looking at about £300 to replace the alternator and aux belt kit.

Alternator is £190 from Renault Wolverhampton on an exhange basis, so you get £24 back from them when you give them the old one.

Thanks for that mate.

Seen a guide on how to do it but it always looks much easier than it actually is. Annoying thing is, the guy I bought it off around 2 years ago stated that he had alternator and aux belt changed, which I don't doubt but seems it was an aftermarket alternator and aux belt and I can now smell burning when I get out of the car when I've driven it hard.

 

[JamesBryan]

Thanks for that mate.

Seen a guide on how to do it but it always looks much easier than it actually is. Annoying thing is, the guy I bought it off around 2 years ago stated that he had alternator and aux belt changed, which I don't doubt but seems it was an aftermarket alternator and aux belt and I can now smell burning when I get out of the car when I've driven it hard.

Yeah i've never fitted one but it should be easy enough to do. Once the belt is on, the tensioner is self tensioning so can't really mess that up.

 

[Niall]

Yeah as James says, £300 in the end.

£190 for the Alternator (110A AC Version) from Renault Wolverhampton, £65 for the Aux belt kit, £70 ish labour at the Renault specialist I'm using. Then £24 back from the seller when you return your old unit.

Obviously depends where you go for labour too.

 

[leedsboy]

That's not too bad then as Mick already fitted a new tensioner he just couldn't fit the new aux belt as the alternator had a different size pulley which meant it was running a shorter belt. He gave me the new belt though so it'd just be replacing alternator and belt.

Just need to doubly make sure it is the alternator burning and not something else!

 

[Amos91]

My alternator (from Renault) lasted 1 year before it started to smell of burning. They are exchange units so I question the quality.

 

[leedsboy]

This one is roughly 2 years old as the previous owner had it replaced just before I bought it and is a definitely a Valeo one. Was thinking that 2 years isn't that long for it to be packing in but maybe it is that.

Can't think of anywhere else I'd get the burning smell from.

 

[JamesBryan]

Depending what it says on the Valeo sticker, it's either New or Refurbed.

436748 Refurb
439302 New

New should last years, and Refurb it's a lottery.

 

[hipwell]

Most motor factors sell refurbed units even if it is a good brand like a valeo, and the reliability is questionable.

On my astra I've been through 2 refurbed delco Remy units which were supposed to be a good brand.

 

[bloke]

i fitted a lucas from euro the other week...back the next day!!!

 

[Niall]

Genuine Renault alternator fitted yesterday, running like a dream. Feels noticeably perkier, old one must have been limiting power to some degree it seems. Seems plausible given how much slower it went when it was really low on charge just before I broke down originally.

Plastic grille guard fitted also, if you're missing it I'd recommend getting hold of one after this. The Renault specialist I took the car to for the work seemed to think it was a possibility it's what caused the failure also.

 

[leedsboy]

Genuine Renault alternator fitted yesterday, running like a dream. Feels noticeably perkier, old one must have been limiting power to some degree it seems. Seems plausible given how much slower it went when it was really low on charge just before I broke down originally.

Plastic grille guard fitted also, if you're missing it I'd recommend getting hold of one after this. The Renault specialist I took the car to for the work seemed to think it was a possibility it's what caused the failure also.

That's good to know.

Which specialist did you take it to?

 

[JamesBryan]

That's good to know.

Which specialist did you take it to?

Was one i recommended, Gary Burnett in Warrington.

 

[Niall]

Yep Gary Burnett, great bloke, good price too.