Evening,
Some background...
Driving home the other night noticed my generator light dimly lit. Was worse with wipers going. Then yesterday bus started with sharp wine/screech noise from engine bay. G light still dim. Checked it over once it was running but no other sounds. Then last night start it failed to start at all - could hear the solenoid clicking on the starter but not enough to turn engine over. Checked battery (only couple of years old) was 11.3v.
So battery is now on charge, spoke to vw mechanic who usually works on my engine & like I thought he says it sounds like the alternator is on its way out. Spent the last few hours reading up on alternator removal (Muir, YouTube etc). Also ordered a replacement alternator - arrives tomorrow.
In the meantime I thought I'd save time tomorrow by removing the alternator tonight.
So....Do you have to remove the 36mm nut from the back of the fan to get the alternator out? Is it possible to get the alternator/backing plate/fan out as one or is there not enough space? Reason being I've got a breather box mounted above the fan on the firewall and access to the nut is quite difficult.
Should say I've got twin carbs so no problem with having to remove the carb, although I might have to loosen the hex bar.
Any advice?!
Thanks!
Some background...
Driving home the other night noticed my generator light dimly lit. Was worse with wipers going. Then yesterday bus started with sharp wine/screech noise from engine bay. G light still dim. Checked it over once it was running but no other sounds. Then last night start it failed to start at all - could hear the solenoid clicking on the starter but not enough to turn engine over. Checked battery (only couple of years old) was 11.3v.
So battery is now on charge, spoke to vw mechanic who usually works on my engine & like I thought he says it sounds like the alternator is on its way out. Spent the last few hours reading up on alternator removal (Muir, YouTube etc). Also ordered a replacement alternator - arrives tomorrow.
In the meantime I thought I'd save time tomorrow by removing the alternator tonight.
So....Do you have to remove the 36mm nut from the back of the fan to get the alternator out? Is it possible to get the alternator/backing plate/fan out as one or is there not enough space? Reason being I've got a breather box mounted above the fan on the firewall and access to the nut is quite difficult.
Should say I've got twin carbs so no problem with having to remove the carb, although I might have to loosen the hex bar.
Any advice?!
Thanks!
chances are I'll never need to work on the alternator now.....
