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Posted by: KaptKaos Jun 3 2008, 10:47 PM

My alternator is making a nasty noise. Metal on metal. No red light on the dash. It's pretty loud and the hose-to-ear tests lead me to the alternator.

I read the Bird Board article (http://www.pelicanparts.com/techarticles/914_alt_replace/914_alt_replace.htm) on replacing the alt, which seem pretty straight forward.

Anyone have any other tips or tricks for doing this?

All help is appreciated, since I need to do this on Thursday night.

Thanks,
Joe

Posted by: SGB Jun 3 2008, 10:57 PM

Make sure yiu have disconected and labled everything before you climb under. Wear eye protection as you are compelled to look up into the crud you are knocking free in order to see what you are doing.

Posted by: Jeff Bowlsby Jun 3 2008, 11:51 PM

Check over your alt harness carefully for broken casing, exposed wires especially where it passes through the tin. Let me know if you need a new one...

Posted by: McMark Jun 4 2008, 02:03 AM

http://www.914world.com/specs/alternator_replacement.php

Posted by: KaptKaos Jun 4 2008, 09:29 AM

Thanks Mark. I did a search, but the search only covered the forums. I appreciate it!

Posted by: purple Jun 4 2008, 09:57 AM

it's a real bitch to do with the engine in the car. Loosen the bottom bolt a bit first before doing the top one, it makes getting the belt off easier.

when trying to put the belt back on, pull the plugs so that you can rotate the engine easy to get the belt worked onto the pulley.

other than that, it's a serious pain in the ass.

Posted by: shelby/914 Jun 4 2008, 10:08 AM

OK, so I'm old and weak so putting it back in was the real PITA. Hard to hold in place while trying to reconnect wiring etc with one hand. Finally hung it off a piece of cord. Then you have both hands to work with. It may actually be easier to drop the motor.

Posted by: ericread Jun 4 2008, 10:15 AM

I had some alternator problems last summer and had to work on my alternator about four or five times. Needless to say, I got pretty good at removing and replacing the alternator. Takes me under an hour. I just never had that much difficulty. I followed the step by step instructions in the Pelican article, and always did the work by myself.

No need to drop the engine for something so trivial...

If you run into insurmountable problems, let me know. I'm over in Irvine and can drop by if necessary.

Eric Read

Posted by: KaptKaos Jun 4 2008, 11:39 PM

Thanks Eric.

I have shop class tomorrow night for 3 hours. I should be able to get it done. Having a lift and a few extra hands will certainly help. I took one off of my old motor tonight, leaving the tin on, and it wasn't too bad, so we'll see.

Wish me fun!

Posted by: ericread Jun 5 2008, 01:00 AM

Have Fun!!!

If you run into any problems, PM me. I work at my office until about 2:00 pm PDT, and I am online on the board during my work day. I usually check in on the board again about 3:00. Let us know how it goes.

Posted by: SGB Jun 5 2008, 07:05 AM

Lift.
Extra hands.
No prob.

Posted by: KaptKaos Jun 5 2008, 09:33 PM

Woo Hoo

Got under the car, and was about to drop the alt, when I notices that the nut was missing from the pivot bolt!!!

I put a new one on, tightened it all up and

Boy, I got lucky!

Posted by: ericread Jun 5 2008, 09:48 PM

SWEET!!!

So now that you have extra time on your hands, what are you tearing apart next?

Posted by: KaptKaos Jun 6 2008, 12:48 AM

Hopefully the starter on the black car (see progress thread link below).

I may have to cut the rear trunk to get it out. I will actually have time this weekend to work on it.

Posted by: Headrage Jun 6 2008, 08:50 AM

Glad it was something easy Joe...

Aaron and I changed the one on my car a couple of years ago and it wasn't all that bad. Took us about an hour.

I have a feeling I'll be changing the one on my six pretty soon.

Not looking forward to that at all...

Posted by: ericread Jun 6 2008, 09:17 AM

Why would you need to cut the trunk to get to the starter?

Posted by: KaptKaos Jun 6 2008, 11:22 AM

The oil tank for the /6 is mounted in the rear trunk and extends down and blocks access to the starter.

Posted by: ericread Jun 6 2008, 12:58 PM

Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh. I understand. Probably easier than cutting windows in the oil tank.