Delica Canada | Mitsubishi Van Club

I have just come in from removing the alternator. I didn't find it as challenging as everyone was making it out to be but it was hard to follow directions with no pictures. I was going to try to take some myself to make things easier but the bot in the back was in too awkward of a position. The other thing I didn't seem to have to do is loosen the belt tensioning bolt. In fact I'm not even sure where it is. I just wiggles the Alternator back and forth until the belts were loose enough to pry off. I get the feeling this approach will make it trickier to get back on however.

The bottom of the vehicle appears to have oil everywhere and some coolant (I think from when Butch filled it up for me) Is there a preferred method for cleaning around here (especially with the alternator out) or should I just try to hose it down?

These are the best pictures I was able to take and as I am not too well educated when it comes to mechanics I won't attempt to label anything...

and the other side

Taking the Alternator to Brighouse to get it rebuilt tomorrow hopefully and install will be done on Friday if it is ready by then. A big thank you to Tardisdeli for all the help diagnosing the problem. Hopefully this solves all of my problems.

nxski wrote:The bottom of the vehicle appears to have oil everywhere and some coolant

Hmm... just to be safe, with all that oil & coolant there (oil could be just from filter changes) it would be worth taking the 1/2hr to look closely to where the fluids might have originated and if it's anywhere near the bottom of the timing/balance belt cover then pop it off a little so you can peek inside to see if there's any oil & coolant in there around or on the belts. If there is then you prob. have a leak - oil seal(s) and/or water pump - and you'll need to get that fixed asap before you break a belt. Oil degrades the belt strength quickly (not sure about coolant) and a broken belt usually = big problem$.

I did have a head gasket leak a couple months ago and had the seal replaced so I'm not sure if I'll be able to tell what if any of the oil is new. I'll definitely take a took to see if any is on the timing belt though. Would you recommend taking a scrub brush and some soap to it? Is it possible the alternator died because of being coated in oil? I know that the mud can do it...

Blackberry wrote:

nxski wrote:The bottom of the vehicle appears to have oil everywhere and some coolant

Hmm... just to be safe, with all that oil & coolant there (oil could be just from filter changes) it would be worth taking the 1/2hr to look closely to where the fluids might have originated and if it's anywhere near the bottom of the timing/balance belt cover then pop it off a little so you can peek inside to see if there's any oil & coolant in there around or on the belts. If there is then you prob. have a leak - oil seal(s) and/or water pump - and you'll need to get that fixed asap before you break a belt. Oil degrades the belt strength quickly (not sure about coolant) and a broken belt usually = big problem$.

Blackberry wrote:

nxski wrote:The bottom of the vehicle appears to have oil everywhere and some coolant

Hmm... just to be safe, with all that oil & coolant there (oil could be just from filter changes) it would be worth taking the 1/2hr to look closely to where the fluids might have originated and if it's anywhere near the bottom of the timing/balance belt cover then pop it off a little so you can peek inside to see if there's any oil & coolant in there around or on the belts. If there is then you prob. have a leak - oil seal(s) and/or water pump - and you'll need to get that fixed asap before you break a belt. Oil degrades the belt strength quickly (not sure about coolant) and a broken belt usually = big problem$.

Good point.
Must to check it out.

Steven

go underneath with a flashlight and look up (on the turbo side - driver's side) at the top of the engine where the valve cover sits on the head at the rear. You'll see a toonie sized half-moon seal. These are notorious for leaking there, even with a recently replaced one. The oil makes it's way everywhere but usually down alongside the block and saturates the alternator like in your pics. All because of a little seal up top. Very common.

Solution - new half moon seal with sealant

The coolant drops on your oil sump pipes are probably from the heater hose above the alternator. Those stock clamps are horrible and when used opened/closed a few times will stretch and you'll have a bit of coolant seeping out of that heater hose. Very common as well.

Solution - clean hose inside and make sure it's not deteriorating / new clamp

Check the rad hose clamps while you're at it. Looks like the stock one's.

Thanks for the tips, I'll do what I can to get everything in tip top shape before re-installing the alternator.

To throw a couple of cents at this although the thread is a little stale now: I just had an alternator repair at Mac Auto Electric in Victoria this week. Good service, quick turn around. The repair component - regulator, bearings etc. came in at 200 bucks before taxes and misc. Compare this to 150 (plus shipping) for a used replacement w/ no work or $300-350 for a reconditioned unit. The repair option comes with a 6 month warranty. Add in the labour at $135 ( you could do it yourself), plus battery at $110, plus tax and a few bits and pieces and the bill was just under 500 bucks. Not cheap but not outrageous and it's a relief to have a renewed charging system. Maybe my lights will burn a little brighter ...