Calling BX rescue - update

Oscar · Post by **Oscar** » Tue Mar 06, 2007 3:31 pm

Sitrep: Car in pub carpark about 10 miles from Harlow in Essex. Alternator ordered from GSF Thurrock and ready to be collected on Saturday morning. Need transport for 1 person, tools and spare battery from Medway to pub via GSF branch in Thurrock.

I've called my local sources of help and drawn a blank I'm afraid - people are otherwise commited. Tom has offered help but is miles away on the other side of London or even further afield.

It's theoretically possible on public transport, but likely to be a very long process (Medway-London-Thurrock Industrial Estate- London-Chelmsford-Pub). Probably not possible in one day.

If anyone can help with transport from Medway to Thurrock and then on to pub carpark I'd be very grateful, and happy to pay for fuel and buy lunch.

UPDATE:

Rescue complete. New alternator fitted (almost) without mishap (note to self - disconnect the battery neg cable BEFORE starting work). Lovely day driving around farm shops, old churches and garden centres afterwards.

Ken the Plumber deserves a special mention for logistic support on the day.

Philip Chidlow · Post by **Philip Chidlow** » Tue Mar 06, 2007 3:45 pm

I would like to help Oscar, but I'm helping with a house move. Sorry

Hope you fine someone - but the offer for a lift from Chelmford Station's still there.

Oscar · Post by **Oscar** » Tue Mar 06, 2007 4:17 pm

I know Philip, but thanks for the offer.

Oscar

RichardW · Post by **RichardW** » Wed Mar 07, 2007 12:22 pm

Sorry can't help - wrong end of the country....

However, make suer you take plenty of tools, and some LHM - changing a TZD alternator is not a 5 minute job - and may well involve removing the LHM suction hose. In fact, if you are only 60 miles from home, I'd take the belt off, stick a charged battery on and drive it home - it will make it no trouble - provided it's not dark, raining and blowers and HRW on full....!

Oscar · Post by **Oscar** » Wed Mar 07, 2007 3:45 pm

Richard if you can give a more detailed account I'd be grateful. I had planned to do it in situ, probably by taking off the rhs roadwheel and trim, as well as accessing it from the top. If you have any more tips I'd be very pleased.

Oscar

bill o · Post by **bill o** » Thu Mar 08, 2007 12:29 am

i may be able to help..i have sent a p m

Oscar · Post by **Oscar** » Thu Mar 08, 2007 3:57 pm

Hi guys

I've got logistics sorted from Medway, so that's the main part. My mate is a heating engineer with a Landrover, so no shame there in using him for a rescue (the other option was a retired nurse in a VW polo

).

Thanks for all the offers of help, public and private. I'll let you know how we get on.

Oscar

RichardW · Post by **RichardW** » Thu Mar 08, 2007 6:58 pm

Some TD alternators are not too bad, others are dire. All depends on which pump is fitted (Bosch - bad, Lucas - good - for a change!). When mine seized I ran home from work expecting to get it out in 15 mins - took me nearly 2 hours in the end. Trouble is there just isn't enough room to pull the alternator out upwards easily. First slacken the bottom bolt (21mm I think) and remove the top bolt. Then slacken the belt off - a challenge if you've not done that before either - ISTR there is an adjusting bolt, but you have to turn it backwards or something.... On mine I then ended up removing the radiator cover panel, and the LHM suction hose to get enough room to get it out. You may also need to remove the top part of the alternator mount (can't remember.... it was about 7 years ago). I think Jon said he had done one where he managed to remove the RH headlight and wiggle it out through there. Either way, it's not simple!

BX Bandit · Post by **BX Bandit** » Thu Mar 08, 2007 7:14 pm

Thurrock...? Don't you mean Furrock?? Used to work round there and would be glad to help, but now I'm useless for in S Wales...good luck

Oscar · Post by **Oscar** » Fri Mar 09, 2007 8:48 am

Yay. Lucas pump.

meep · Post by **meep** » Fri Mar 09, 2007 8:51 pm

A great tip from this wonderful place for alternator extraction worked a treat for me:

Take the RH headlamp off, and you can wiggle it out through the hole.

I also had to take the small pipe that goes from the rad to the oil filter to get a bit more access, unfortunately this split

, but luckily I had some general rad hose left over from when I'd changed t'other oil filter pipe

Doing this meant it wasn't a drastic job. Good luck!

And FYI, I made it nearly the 60 miles back from my brother's at night with the dying alternator, conking out a couple of miles from home

SWMBO wasn't impressed!

Oscar · Post by **Oscar** » Mon Mar 12, 2007 1:18 pm

Many thanks to all those who offered help, advice and moral support. You know who you are!

Oscar

cacaolat · Post by **cacaolat** » Mon Mar 12, 2007 1:59 pm

hope your rescue operation went well and you brought your car home again ...