Freelander 1 Alternator Defunct - how many times has it gone round??

andyfreelandy · Oct 12, 2017

Get this - see if anyone disagrees !
My 2002 TD4 has just had an alternator failure. Just after going through 12" water, but hey, it has done 150,000 miles. I will reveal the failure mode once I have done an autopsy, but just thinking out loud....

If the car has done 150k miles at an average of 40mph, it has had the engine running for at least 225000 minutes.

If the alternator runs at twice engine speed (looking at pulleys) then it is not unreasonable to assume that it goes at around 5,000 rpm. So that would mean that the alternator has rotated about 1.1 billion times.

Bet the brushes are worn a bit.....

Nodge68 · Oct 12, 2017

I would think it's gone round more times than your calculation. The alternator drive pulley ratio is closer to 4 to 1. So that's almost 4 rotations of the alternator, to 1 of the engine.
The number of operational rotations in its life are enormous.

DanClarke · Oct 12, 2017

As an almost "lifetime" part for a car it gives fantastic value for money.
In my experience the replacements are less than 50% of the originals in terms of longevity.
Just like original exhausts Vs. follow-on replacements.

andyfreelandy · Oct 12, 2017

Replacement ordered to get working again, removed parts always get refurbished and put into the 'spares' box !
I've got a very large 'spares' box ! Having several vehicles the same means that you can have a 'float' stock of bits and you can use same skills over and over!
I can service a TD4 with my eyes closed...............

guineafowl21 · Oct 12, 2017

You can get new brushes on ebay very cheaply - don’t even have to remove the alternator if you’re prepared to fiddle a bit.

It’s funny how when a failed alternator leaves you stranded, you don’t marvel at the engineering of it...

Every Freelander owner should have a spares stash. Good on you.

andyfreelandy · Oct 13, 2017

Thanks for the idea GF - I looked at this today and was indeed able to remove the regulator and brush pack quite easily without removing the alternator. I'd do anything not to have to reload the snake belt over the pulleys !!

However, when I inspected the slip rings on the alternator they had very deep 2-3mm grooves in them and so I fitted a new alternator. Both jobs took about 4 hours.

BUT - anyone seen this before, the Landrover badged Valeo alternator was held in by the top bolt only. It has never been out in my ownership - about 100k miles !
Further, the bottom fixing furthest from the pulley has a threaded hole in the bracket and a threaded hole in the alternator (as did the old one). It's all back in and working, but would like to fit the lower rear fixing bolt. What to do???

Dippypud · Oct 13, 2017

andyfreelandy said:
Thanks for the idea GF - I looked at this today and was indeed able to remove the regulator and brush pack quite easily without removing the alternator. I'd do anything not to have to reload the snake belt over the pulleys !!

However, when I inspected the slip rings on the alternator they had very deep 2-3mm grooves in them and so I fitted a new alternator. Both jobs took about 4 hours.

BUT - anyone seen this before, the Landrover badged Valeo alternator was held in by the top bolt only. It has never been out in my ownership - about 100k miles !
Further, the bottom fixing furthest from the pulley has a threaded hole in the bracket and a threaded hole in the alternator (as did the old one). It's all back in and working, but would like to fit the lower rear fixing bolt. What to do???

Should there not be a slotted metal bar to adjust the position ?

or is it like this ?
http://workshop-manuals.com/landrover/freelander-b/charging_and_starting/repairs/alternator_td4/

jamesmartin · Oct 13, 2017

Dippypud said:
Should there not be a slotted metal bar to adjust the position ?

or is it like this ?
http://workshop-manuals.com/landrover/freelander-b/charging_and_starting/repairs/alternator_td4/

they have been using poly vee belts with sprung tensioners for years now, only single v belts as was used had adjusters

Dippypud · Oct 13, 2017

jamesmartin said:
they have been using poly vee belts with sprung tensioners for years now, only single v belts as was used had adjusters

You can tell I've never had a Freelander ...

ta James ...

jamesmartin · Oct 13, 2017

Dippypud said:
You can tell I've never had a Freelander ... ta James ...

its to do with torque a single v belt couldnt run a modern alt with high output

Dippypud · Oct 13, 2017

jamesmartin said:
its to do with torque a single v belt couldnt run a modern alt with high output

Ah, that makes sense now ...

guineafowl21 · Oct 13, 2017

andyfreelandy said:
Thanks for the idea GF - I looked at this today and was indeed able to remove the regulator and brush pack quite easily without removing the alternator. I'd do anything not to have to reload the snake belt over the pulleys !!

However, when I inspected the slip rings on the alternator they had very deep 2-3mm grooves in them and so I fitted a new alternator. Both jobs took about 4 hours.

BUT - anyone seen this before, the Landrover badged Valeo alternator was held in by the top bolt only. It has never been out in my ownership - about 100k miles !
Further, the bottom fixing furthest from the pulley has a threaded hole in the bracket and a threaded hole in the alternator (as did the old one). It's all back in and working, but would like to fit the lower rear fixing bolt. What to do???

*Ahem* You can buy a replacement slip ring as well...

andyfreelandy · Oct 14, 2017

Didn't know you could change slip rings - where can you get them please? I can refurb the old one for the 300,000 miles alternator change. Never throw ought away me.

guineafowl21 · Oct 14, 2017

Gold Lion Autoelectrics on ebay. They have a Youtube channel showing you how to fit the bits as well.

andyfreelandy · Oct 14, 2017

http://www.saverepair.com/ Found this link from Gold Lion you tube - not sure if they are the same people?

£4.70 for slip rings and new brushes ! Thanks.................

Nodge68 · Oct 15, 2017

andyfreelandy said:
Didn't know you could change slip rings - where can you get them please? I can refurb the old one for the 300,000 miles alternator change. Never throw ought away me.

Nor me. I've a workshop, garage and two storage sheds full of stuff I'll probably never use.

guineafowl21 · Oct 15, 2017

andyfreelandy said:
http://www.saverepair.com/ Found this link from Gold Lion you tube - not sure if they are the same people?

£4.70 for slip rings and new brushes ! Thanks.................

That’s the one. His vids are really good too - interesting Polish/Irish accent!

Freelander 1 Alternator Defunct - how many times has it gone round??

andyfreelandy

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