V6 Alternator issues

[moosemoose]

The alternator on my CaliV6 went the other week, just as I needed to drive down to England for the week. So I got a 2nd hand one (90 day warranty) and had it fitted by the garage. Long story short, it went OK until about 3 miles out of Stirling, then crapped out completely on me. Back to garage, and the ever helpful staff told me it was dead.

I've had a bit of a change of heart about getting another 2nd hand one, seeing as the garage want to charge me for four hours labour (apparently you have to take off the driveshaft... surely not!) however, including a brand new alternator, that comes to £280.

Which I can't afford. Especially after the company that supplied the replacement won't pay the labour to remove something that lasted under six hours. Grr.

Is it really that hard to (and expensive) replace the alternator on the V6?

Is there anywhere I can get a new alternator (or one that will definitely work for at least a year) for under £100?

[Rosh]

I would shop around. I had the alternator done on my V6 for around 200 quid all in. It's a bit of a job to be honest.
There are three different types of alternators for the V6 too!

[EY]

It's not that big of a job, the mounting bolts are very awkward, and the drive shaft does need to be removed. With a decent set of tools it's a one day job. All day. [img]/smile.gif[/img]

[marko]

didnt have to remove driveshaft when doing mine (100 amp ac delco) managed to wiggle! it out. the mounting bolts are awkward tho, especially the top one.

[moosemoose]

damn. well £200 i can afford. pushing £300 i can't. the problem is, however, it's at a garage, who are reputed to be one of the cheapest in the area. and as the alternator is dead, it's not moving on it's own [img]/sad.gif[/img]

what sort of alternator should i need? which rating? i did get a 130 amp just to be sure, but if i can get away with one not as powerful that'd be great, as it'd push the price down again.

my car has electric everything, but there's no a/c or anything like that...

[MarkV6]

<!--QuoteBegin-moosemoose+--><div class='quotetop'>(moosemoose)</div><div class='quotemain'><!--QuoteEBegin-->what sort of alternator should i need? which rating? i did get a 130 amp just to be sure, but if i can get away with one not as powerful that'd be great, as it'd push the price down again.

my car has electric everything, but there's no a/c or anything like that...<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
I wouldn't 'downsize' an alternator just to get the job done cheaper. The lower output of the unit would mean it'd just have to work harder to power the electrics.

Think of the power ratings of alternators as BHP output if it makes it easier.

Also get the garage to check to see if the alternator cooling fan is working
<a href="http://www.v6calibra.com/common/images/V6_alternatorcoolingsystem_mini.jpg" target="_blank">Alt Cooling Diagram</a>

The alternator is situated under the rear exhaust manifold and the heat given off will kill anything electrical in a short period of time.

[cornishtaz]

When I had to replace my on my old Cav V6 the original was an 100amp and I replaced it with an Omega 120 amp. Removal was easy enough but getting the slightly larger one in was a bit awkward. Didn't have to remove the driveshaft just a bit of jiggery pokery.

[EY]

Yep i changed mine to a 120amp off a vectra V6, maybe thats why it was such a bugger to fit. [img]/biggrin.gif[/img]

[sinbrad]

Have seen a few on ebay, brand new for the V6 and some have gone at the ridiculous price of less than £50. Mine was dead last year and got it replaced by a garage in carlise (That's as far as I got when driving from Bristol) and it's not let me down in 14 months. Also find it pretty bad that a garage can supply you with an alternator with 90 days warranty and have the cheek to charge you for a replacement and that includes the labour. The whole idea of a warranty is to cover any eventuality within the given period. I would take it further as it's really not on

[moosemoose]

well, thanks for all the replies guys. i'd decided (as a bit of cash came in spare) to get the thing done at the garage today.

only thing is, as they were moving it on to the ramp, smoke from exhaust, coolant went (and now smells of petrol from inside the coolant filler) and apparently that's something to do with the "gasket". and i know that's a costly word in terms of garages.

bugger. so depending on it, i'm looking at a new gasket (-£££), a new engine (-££££), or scrapping the car / selling for parts/spares (+££).

and i've only got a few £'s to spare.

any suggestions? i'm a complete nonce when it comes to car stuff, so i can't do anything myself, but i'm up for two options:

- selling it on for spares / repair etc (can i get anything for it? it's in decent condition) :frown:

- asking someone (from here maybe, for example) nicely if they would do the work for a few £££'s... like £300 or something.. [img]/rolleyes.gif[/img]