The First Adventure - Alternator ...

[kazjim]

took lil red out tonight to get some xmas pressies for the kids ....

got to the shops and noticesd it was running a little rough .... hmmm, lights wont pop down again ....
hmmm oh wel, go into shops anyway ...

come out... click, click ....

push, push ... vroom (zoom zoom)

get home, check battery - seems fine, but no charge ...
ok, jump lil red from the bike ... vroom..

9.3 volts at MAIN fuse .... hmm, thats not good, shut it down and check alternator belt ...
Hot as hades and loose as a .... well something very loose !

check tension bolt ... hmmm, head broken off ...

that might explain my lack of charge !

so, question - what are the dimensions of the correct bolt ?

What is the correct altenator belt ?
Is the belt easy to replace ? (i'm speaking relatively - i used to own a mini - and if you've changed a belt on a mini you will know what i mean !)
is it a 1-hour job ? (or like a mini and a 3 hour job because you have to remove the radiator !!)

Cheers
J

[bensale]

I recently broke a belt, replacements are available off the shelf at Autobarn. If you want an exact size I can check for you tommorow as I have a spare in my boot.

Changing the belt isn't too bad, basically you need to do a bit of squeezing and skinny fingers could help but shouldn't take much longer than 30-45 minutes as an absolute maximum. From the sounds of your mini experience you should have it done in no time.

Not sure about the bolt, sorry.

[kazjim]

Thanks Ben,
Mine is a NA6 with AC but NO PS, if that makes a difference, but I think I'll replace both belts while I'm in there, i don't think it will add too much time, but I think it will save time later when it breaks

Cheers
Thanks
J

[kazjim]

Hey, just a quick heads-up.

Popped in a new alt belt today (quick job .. yea right!)

turned out that the mounting block on the altenator bracket had a crossed thread (thus the snapped bolt)
Picked up a new bolt and ran a tap though the block and all went together well.

now charging at a nice constant 14.6ish V with or without the battery attached (for a few seconds - altenators dont like running 'free') measured at the "MAIN" fusible link in the engine bay.

sweet !
Thanks guys
J

[bensale]

Glad to here its all good, it is a quick job when nothing goes wrong Good you got it sorted.

[cshaks]

If you have owned a mini then anything on an MX5 is a breeze!
I seem to recall having to very nearly be double jointed to anything on my old mini.......
Still got the thrust bearing changed in 40 minutes though!

Chris