Date: Sat, 7 Nov 1998 01:38:33 EST
Reply-To: Modl6971@AOL.COM
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@vanagon.com>
From: Michael Modl <Modl6971@AOL.COM>
Subject: Re: '90 Vanagon alternator bracket problem
Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII
In a message dated 11/5/98 4:51:33 AM Pacific Standard Time,
lin.jen@WORLDNET.ATT.NET writes:
<<
I have a rare (?) problem about my alternator cradle bracket. In late July
while I was still in Denver, CO, I had a noise coming from the engine
compartment and the van vibrated pretty badly. The VW dealer mechanics found
the barckets of the alternator were broken and replaced them. Yesterday, the
same problem happened. Strange enough, I looked through all the repairing
records, and found previous owner had done the same repairment once (only the
cradle barcket not the support one) at about 60 K (it is 86 K now). I searched
the archives and find no clues. I remember the old German mechanics at VW
dealer in Denver told me that he has not seen this problem before (actually I
had to do special order for the barckets). Does anyone have any similar
problem occur to them or any idea what might be wrong with my car?
Thank you for all your help.
Tzung Yang
1990 VW Carat Vanagon
>>
I have seen one vanagon with this problem. The alternator was always vibrating
or wobbling causing the lower portion of the bracket that bolts to the engine
to damage the engine block were the lower bracket bolts on. We resecured the
lower bracket as tight as possible, we replaced the alternator (assuming the
alternator was the wobbler), seamed to be smooth and sent the car out. A week
later it came back, engine block damaged and the alternator wobbling again.
This time had to take the engine out and have the engine block rewelded,
aluminum, and reinstalled. With engine running alternator was holding solid,
sent it out again. A week later came back again with the exact same problem,
a damaged engine block where the bracket is bolted on.
Looked at the brand new VW Continental alternator belt, a three inch section
of the belt on the inside had a very minor dip, the edge of the belt was about
2 millimeters wider there too, this wasn't noticable while engine was running
and have never seen this before on a quality belt. The belt was the cause of
the rocking of the alternator and major bucks to repair again. VW world was
hell for a while at the dealership, I think Continental heard from us.
Anyways, check that belt. Michael
87 syncro
87 quattro
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