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Think I'm closer to fixing my alternator issue - UPDATE
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Author:  jprior2912 [ Thu Jul 24, 2014 5:01 pm ]
Post subject:  Think I'm closer to fixing my alternator issue - UPDATE
Hi guys!

So, I've had my head under the bonnet trying to pin point why my fan belt comes loose/squeals at me every so often.

As I've mentioned in previous posts I'm using a new 70 amp alt found here:
http://minisport.com.au/mini-super-upra ... tor-70amps

At first glance I thought the pulleys were exactly the same. But I've just noticed that the pulley appears to be wider. From what I've read the belt should sit more or less level with the top of the pulley - my belt is sitting about 5mm inside the pulley whereas it sits level in my water pump pulley.

So it may appear my pulley is a contributing factor - I've also got a new fan belt I'm going to install on the weekend that seems to be a better quality belt (Dayco).

My question is - Can you actually buy a new pulley for the belt to sit in for this alternator? If so, where would you get something like this, I've done some searching and can't really find what I need.

Thanks
James
Author:  Mick [ Thu Jul 24, 2014 5:06 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Think I'm closer to fixing my alternator issue!
Bring the pulley over from your old alternator onto the new one. If you've not got one, then it shouldn't be hard to get one. I've got a few here if need be.

Its not unusual that it might be sitting a little lower in the pulley, but did it start out that way or did it settle in?

Its the GXE2297/NAB300 alternator then? I think I've read they warn you that the pulley needs to be changed out.
Author:  jprior2912 [ Thu Jul 24, 2014 5:13 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Think I'm closer to fixing my alternator issue!
Mick wrote:
Bring the pulley over from your old alternator onto the new one. If you've not got one, then it shouldn't be hard to get one. I've got a few here if need be.

Its not unusual that it might be sitting a little lower in the pulley, but did it start out that way or did it settle in?

Its the GXE2297/NAB300 alternator then? I think I've read they warn you that the pulley needs to be changed out.


I've got a really rubbish old alternator, should it bolt on okay? I think this alt has a 22mm shaft wheras most smaller ones have a 15(?) mm maybe? Does that make any difference?

I'm not sure to be honest, it just seems to be sitting in quite deep in the v

It says on Minisport that the pulley may have to be changed - When I got it silly me thought it looked the same so assumed only sometimes it may need a different one

Thanks
Author:  Mick [ Thu Jul 24, 2014 5:21 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Think I'm closer to fixing my alternator issue!
You will need to compare the profile of the pulleys to determine if they are the same.

You could work hard measuring them, but I would perhaps make one by pushing in some plasticine from the kids and compare it to the other pulley to see if there's a mismatch. Or you could also cut a profile from card and compare, you would see the difference more easily that way.
Author:  jprior2912 [ Thu Jul 24, 2014 6:50 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Think I'm closer to fixing my alternator issue!
Mick wrote:
You will need to compare the profile of the pulleys to determine if they are the same.

You could work hard measuring them, but I would perhaps make one by pushing in some plasticine from the kids and compare it to the other pulley to see if there's a mismatch. Or you could also cut a profile from card and compare, you would see the difference more easily that way.


I think I will definitely try that. Although even just slipping my finger in the pulley it feels like it's wider than the other old alt I had that came off a parts car
Author:  Convertible Mini [ Fri Jul 25, 2014 5:41 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Think I'm closer to fixing my alternator issue!
I have new 70 Amps Alternators for Mini Complete with correct pulley in stock. Every one should buy one.
Author:  Irish Yobbo [ Fri Jul 25, 2014 10:40 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Think I'm closer to fixing my alternator issue!
Might be a bit of a stretch, but my brother overheated my mini, and went and found that the fanbelt was really loose. Tightened it back up, ran it for a while - it was loose again!

Got under the car and realized that my crank pulley had shattered, half of the outside lip was missing. I could tighten it up, but as soon as it got running it would slip off.
Author:  Timbo [ Fri Jul 25, 2014 2:15 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Think I'm closer to fixing my alternator issue!
I recently had trouble with my fan belt going loose. There was nothing obvious and the car wasn't overheating. It wasn't until I grabbed the belt and started pulling it around that water poured out of the end of the water pump. It turned out that the water pump had fallen apart inside. The inner bearing had slipped out of the body of the pump so the shaft was only supported at one end, allowing the pulley on the pump to move to the side loosening the belt. Strangely the seal was still holding water until I played with it. The pump was about 8 years old but looked perfect in every other respect.

Tim
Author:  jprior2912 [ Fri Jul 25, 2014 9:56 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Think I'm closer to fixing my alternator issue!
Timbo wrote:
I recently had trouble with my fan belt going loose. There was nothing obvious and the car wasn't overheating. It wasn't until I grabbed the belt and started pulling it around that water poured out of the end of the water pump. It turned out that the water pump had fallen apart inside. The inner bearing had slipped out of the body of the pump so the shaft was only supported at one end, allowing the pulley on the pump to move to the side loosening the belt. Strangely the seal was still holding water until I played with it. The pump was about 8 years old but looked perfect in every other respect.

Tim


Wow how didn't your mini overheat? If it wasn't pumping water wouldn't it be fairly hot? Other than the pump leaking is there any sure way of testing if the water pump is working correctly/all intact? I'm hoping it's not that seeing as it's a new water pump :/

I'm taking the alternator off tomorrow and I'll show some comparison of the pulley width difference between the 70 amp and an old lucas 15AC. Just by looking at them I can tell the 70 amps pulley is considerably wider at the top of the V.
Author:  Timbo [ Sat Jul 26, 2014 6:45 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Think I'm closer to fixing my alternator issue!
It was cool weather and the pump must have been working a bit. To check it grab the pump pulley and yank it around. It shouldn't move much at all.
Tim
Author:  jprior2912 [ Sun Jul 27, 2014 8:59 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Think I'm closer to fixing my alternator issue! UPDATE
Hi y'all.

So I have kind of an update for you all. I took my alternator off and took some snaps for your opinions.

I also made a discovery this evening - The car ran fantastic, then it got a little bit later so I switched the lights on - then it started squealing! Turned the lights off, and it stopped. Does anyone know why this may be? I have H4 Halogens with relays. I should also note that the alternator felt quite hot once the lights were on

I had a closer look at the pulleys and took some comparative photos, the pulley V is very similar in total width at the top of the V. But as you can see in the photos the angle of the V is very different and you can see how far the belt sits in the V compared to the Lucas 15 AC next to it.

Alternator whilst on the car
Image

side by side comparison (lucas on the left, 70 amp on the right)

Image

how far the belt sits in on the lucas

Image

How far the belt sits in on the 70 amp

Image
Author:  drmini in aust [ Sun Jul 27, 2014 9:02 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Think I'm closer to fixing my alternator issue - UPDATE
Wherever you bought it, that looks like it was for a truck with a B section belt.
Wrong pulley!!
Author:  Morris 1100 [ Sun Jul 27, 2014 9:04 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Think I'm closer to fixing my alternator issue - UPDATE
You have the wrong pulley. The one you have is for a much wider belt.
The V belt grips on the sides of the pulley and is not supposed to touch the bottom of the pulley.
Author:  jprior2912 [ Sun Jul 27, 2014 9:11 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Think I'm closer to fixing my alternator issue - UPDATE
drmini in aust wrote:
Wherever you bought it, that looks like it was for a truck with a B section belt.
Wrong pulley!!


I bought it from minispares in the UK :\

I feared that may the problem. I can't find any 22mm pulleys that suit a mini.

So I'm just going to buy another alternator and just solve my problems that way.

I was thinking may the ACR17? 55 amp


Also I'm sure it's all connected due to the pulley problem, but I just thought it was odd it was slipping once I turned the headlights on and stopped when I turned them off, any explaination?
Author:  Mick [ Sun Jul 27, 2014 9:31 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Think I'm closer to fixing my alternator issue - UPDATE
G into an auto spark and ask for the correct pulley. He should have some he can pull off an old unit.

Or cut to the chase and ask Convertible Mini (Tony) if he can find a pulley for you and mail it down.
There's nothing wrong with the alternator, just that the pulley needs changing.
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