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

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andyfreelandy

andyfreelandy

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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.....:)
 
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. ;)
 
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.
 
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...............
 
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.
 
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???
 
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???
Click to expand...

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/
 
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???
Click to expand...
*Ahem* You can buy a replacement slip ring as well...
 
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.
 
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