Alternator Dilemma

daz81 · Jan 9, 2017

As per previous post fairly sure alternator is on the way out. Options are limited on taking the car to a Renault specialist as will likely breakdown enroute.

So going to have to use a mobile mechanic. Can you just replace the alternator alone? Or do you have to do the aux belt and tensioner too?

Planned to do that along with the cambelt in the autumn but take it to engine dynamics. Don't want someone non-specialised without the right tools doing the belts ideally.

What are your thoughts? Was consdering getting the aux belt and tensioner done with the alternator but concerned it isnt done well and I lose my engine.

Bit of a pain this. Cheers for the advice.

bloke · Jan 9, 2017

how old is belt/tensioner?

daz81 · Jan 9, 2017

bloke said:
how old is belt/tensioner?

All belts, tensioners and water pump were done in September 2012. Car has covered 17000 miles since then.

MRBILLYUK · Jan 9, 2017

I don't suppose you have any form or breakdown recovery ? That's how I got mine to the garage when my alternator packed up.

daz81 · Jan 10, 2017

MRBILLYUK said:
I don't suppose you have any form or breakdown recovery ? That's how I got mine to the garage when my alternator packed up.

No I havent unfortunately. I only got the Clio a month or so ago. My existing car is a boring Japanese mid sized family car but been bulletproof reliability wise. So never felt I needed cover previously.

When you had your alternator done did you have the belt and tensioner changed too? What garage did yours? Just somewhere local or a Renault specialist.

Cheers for your advice.

adamlstr · Jan 10, 2017

For the extra price of a belt and tensioner, just get them all done at once.

Independent specialist over a Renault garage every time too.

daz81 · Jan 10, 2017

adamlstr said:
For the extra price of a belt and tensioner, just get them all done at once.

Independent specialist over a Renault garage every time too.

Hi thanks. I was thinking it was an idea to get the belt and tensioner done too. My dilemma is I will not be able to get my car to an independent specialist as there are none within 30 miles or so. So I will need to use a general mobile mechanic.

Is there much scope to go wrong with the aux belt and tensioner. I understand the Cambelt should always be done by a specialist due to the tools required. I know as well if the aux belt snaps it can knock out the cambelt, damage engine etc.

MRBILLYUK · Jan 10, 2017

daz81 said:
No I havent unfortunately. I only got the Clio a month or so ago. My existing car is a boring Japanese mid sized family car but been bulletproof reliability wise. So never felt I needed cover previously.

When you had your alternator done did you have the belt and tensioner changed too? What garage did yours? Just somewhere local or a Renault specialist.

Cheers for your advice.

I took mine via breakdown recovery truck to a local garage that was recommended by somebody on here. I'd only had all the belts just over 12 months ( 9k miles ) previous so didn't bother with a new belt or tensioner.

adamlstr · Jan 10, 2017

@daz81 Where are you based?

daz81 · Jan 10, 2017

adamlstr said:
@daz81 Where are you based?

Near Leigh on Sea in Essex so SS7. So Engine Dynamics or Mark Fish in Harlow etc are all not that local to me. Alternator has only started showing signs of going but not sure I would make it. Not used the car in a couple of days now.

Can anyone recommend anyone very local to SS7?

Darren S · Jan 10, 2017

adamlstr said:
For the extra price of a belt and tensioner, just get them all done at once.

Independent specialist over a Renault garage every time too.

I'd add to that. The local Renault garage took three attempts to get my alternator right. Then had the cheek to say that it "had cost them" when I complained that the final bill was way too high.

Oh. And they also lost my under-tray and reattached the front bumper with just two bolts.

For all my burning hatred of Nissan LEAFs - I wouldn't even let an owner of one of those go to that garage.

adamlstr · Jan 10, 2017

daz81 said:
Near Leigh on Sea in Essex so SS7. So Engine Dynamics or Mark Fish in Harlow etc are all not that local to me. Alternator has only started showing signs of going but not sure I would make it. Not used the car in a couple of days now.

Can anyone recommend anyone very local to SS7?

http://www.ren-o-tec.com/

These guys are in Chelmsford. I've no experience of them though.

Darren S · Jan 10, 2017

daz81 said:
Near Leigh on Sea in Essex so SS7. So Engine Dynamics or Mark Fish in Harlow etc are all not that local to me. Alternator has only started showing signs of going but not sure I would make it. Not used the car in a couple of days now.

Can anyone recommend anyone very local to SS7?

Do you have breakdown recovery perhaps through your bank instead?

We've got Greenlight cover through our bank - but be careful where you call to say the car currently is. If it's at home, the furthest the recovery truck would take mine was within a 20 miles radius to a garage. When I called from work, that policy changed to nationwide. I managed to get the car ferried to Birchdown for nothing, which is over 65 miles away - one way.

JamesBryan · Jan 10, 2017

If the belts were done in 2012, then i'd definitely get them replaced with the full aux kit.

Meant to be every 3 years anyway and yours are coming up to 5 years.

Chrisgti6 · Jan 10, 2017

What's making you say the alternator is 'going'? a bad battery can give similar issues to a dodgy alternator.

If it hasn't stopped functioning yet then it'll get you to a garage, just make sure you go in the daylight and use as few electrical items as possible and it'll be fine. Years ago I had a Punto GT with a knackered alternator, but I couldn't be without the car for a few days so just drove everywhere with a spare battery until I had the time to change it!

daz81 · Jan 10, 2017

Chrisgti6 said:
What's making you say the alternator is 'going'? a bad battery can give similar issues to a dodgy alternator.
The stop light and battery light keep staying on at idle when the fans or radio
If it hasn't stopped functioning yet then it'll get you to a garage, just make sure you go in the daylight and use as few electrical items as possible and it'll be fine. Years ago I had a Punto GT with a knackered alternator, but I couldn't be without the car for a few days so just drove everywhere with a spare battery until I had the time to change it!

The stop light and battery light are coming on when the car is idling and other electrical sources are in use. Goes away once you pull away etc.

If you leave the fan off then doesnt seem to come on just occasionally flickers. Only noticed it on Sunday havent drove it since.

hipwell · Jan 10, 2017

Changing the alternator and aux kit is not a specialist job. No special tools are required. Any competent mechanic should be able to do it so I wouldnt drive a million miles to try and find one.

daz81 · Jan 10, 2017

Hi hipwell thanks for that that is what I am looking to ascertain really. Bit concerned it was specialist and a mobile mechanic does a poor job fitting the belt and it is noisy or snaps. Don't have any breakdown cover currently so don't really want to chance trying to make it anywhere too far away so will probably arrange a mobile mechanic. The only pain is the cambelt is due before September (even though its only covered 17000 miles) so had planned to get the cambelt and auxbelt done together early summertime (not January when funds aren't great).

But not going to trust a mobile mechanic to do the cambelt too. So will just have to suck it up and get the alternator and aux belt done for now by a mobile mechanic and do the cambelt and aux kit again later in the year. Cheers.

hipwell · Jan 10, 2017

As long as the belt is routed correctly you can't really get it wrong as the tensioner is auto sprung.

Only issue I had was getting the bolt out of the tensioner as it hit the side of the chassis on its way out, I think I had to lower the gearbox mount to angle the engine up a tad but don't quote me on that as it was a few years ago.

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