16v Alternator swap.........

[The Kirmanator]

Calling all DIY car fans.......

My alternator has packed up on my valver and my local garage has quoted me £97 for the part (genuine Renault) and £120 labour, apparently its a pig of job! Ive looked in my Haynes manual and the job has been given just two spanners meaning its relatively easy for a beginner. Ill be giving it a go on Saturday and would like to know:-

1. Has anyone out there attempted to change one themselves, if so how bad was it?

2. Ill be calling a few scrappers/reconditioners tomorrow but wondered if anyone knew anywhere in the north west they can recommend for a new or recon alternator?

Cheers chaps. Paul

 

[Essex_Lad]

havent done this on my clio but done it on a volvo C40 i think it was

piece of piss if u got the car above ur head and a helpin hand.

jus undo 2 bolts take off the belt then put the new one on and do up the bottom bolt and pull the belt tight and do up the second bolt

 

[The Kirmanator]

Im afraid its not that easy on the valver.....bonnet off plus a few other bits and then wiggle it through where the headlamp used to be. Ill be doing it from above as Ive not got access to a pit.

 

[Essex_Lad]

spose volvo have huge engine bays, i knwo clio engines r a b**ch to work on

where bouts u from?

 

[Clio16vPaul]

its a b**ch.

try halfords for the part - they are as good as anywhere, you need to drop the old one back in to get your deposit back, but they were the cheapest when i got my RT one. Sod renault genuine parts as they dont make the sods anyway, do they!!

 

[moggs]

i got my altenator refurbed at my local auto spares store and it took me under two hours i think. bonnet off, headlight out with indicator. tells you which bolts to undo in the book. i didnt slacken off the belt cos i couldnt get to the bolt, i dont think i did it in the same order as the book because of the belt. bit jiggly to get out. when i put it back in i had to use all my strength to pull the alternator into line while a mate slotted the main bolt in for me. since then the belt slips slightly when cold and only when turning from lock to lock. hope this helps a little. if you need any more detailled help pm me and ill try to remember. it cost me £27 for the refurb too.

 

[Fatherted]

rubbish......easy job....dont need to take the soddin bonnet off....just makin more work for yer self , undo the front panel (4 bolts) & put a cloth there to stop the bonnet scratchin the bumper.

 

[Tonys]

Its not easy but can be done, just need a bit of time.

All you need to take off is the headlight no bonnet or front panel. May need to jack the engine up slightly tho.

 

[mark16v]

its fairly easy but i would get a the garage to do it, but it will only take 1 hour to do so i would check them labour costs.

Dont get a second hand one either get a re-con one from renault will be better in long run

 

[The Kirmanator]

Thanks for the advice chaps but Im more confused than ever now! Each person has done it differently........Im a fairly confident at diy on cars, theyll be two of us doing the job. I dont want the belt to slip afterwards either.

From what yousay it sounds like its worth a go myself. One more question...I have just called a recond place and they told me that in 1993 the type of alternator changed, one has a fan behind it and the other didnt. I think my car is a Sept 1993, anyone now which type it would be?? The fan model is half the price of the other one!

 

[mark16v]

i would take the one with the fan behind it anyways mate, as you dont want it getting hot and blowing up as it will set alight

 

[moggs]

belt will stop squealing if i tighten the adjuster pully, just havent got round to doing it. so dont worry about that.

 

[Tonys]

Dont matter what one you get, there both the same apart from the fan.

 

[Alex M]

Its easy, only awkward part is lifting the wiring loom up(that runs along inside inner wing) and loosening the tensioner. Lift loom out of way and using 7mm allan key loosen centre of tensioner, then turn nut to slacken. Got a few photos if it helps, just let us know

 

[Alex M]

paul1178, you have mail, picture of bit here, after removing bonnet, headlamp and maybe even slam panel and radiator. Loosen front bolt of metal plate that holds wirinf and raise it so you can get to tensioner. Photo not brilliant but you can see what to do fine, 7mm is a funny size I did not have it my set so had to go get one, dont think its common. I fyou take radiator out, you are as well giving it a good flush. Have other photos at home but sorry this is best i have at work

http://erc.qmuc.ac.uk/cliosport/gallery/full/1071242429__alternator

 

[JAY172]

remove the headlight.there is a 10m bolt on the o/s inner chassis leg which secures this loom+brake pipe.remove this and lift up the loom so you can get to the alternator belt tensioner.the centre allen key is a 7m but you will need a 24m spanner to adjust the tensioner when you refit the belt.remove the alternator wires(disconnect battery first) and un bolt it(a long 16m nut + bolt and a small 13m bolt).you should be able to get the alternator out without removing anything else.bit awkward but not to bad.

 

[The Kirmanator]

Who knows where I can get a 7mm allen key from ??????? Reanult??

 

[BenR]

erm, any motorfactors, tool shop.....anywhere.......