RodWhite Posted October 11, 2016 Posted October 11, 2016 (edited) Hi, Xsara 1.4 Hatchback on a 52 plate. It's my father in laws and both look like they are on their last legs. He's been quoted £250 to replace the alternator so I am going to try and do it for him. I had a quick look tonight and it looks like I have to remove the power steering pump and a massive belt to get it off. Is that right? Should it be this complicated? How do I remove the power steering pump? I could see one bolt (looking from above) on the right and there looked like a hex bolt that you need to access through the flywheel (if that's what it's called). I'm hoping I can then move it out of the way. Are there any other bolts to remove and are there any other gotchas or knacks to look out for please? I really need some help because he can't afford to get it done by the garage. Thanks, Rod Edited October 11, 2016 by RodWhite Quote
coastline taxis Posted October 11, 2016 Posted October 11, 2016 swapping the alternator is 1 hours labour. max and a very simple job. if you can post a pic of the engine il give you a right up on what to do. but wont be till tomorrow mind Quote
RodWhite Posted October 11, 2016 Author Posted October 11, 2016 HI, Just below the pump is the altneraotr. I wasnt sure how else to photograph it. Thanks, Rod Quote
coastline taxis Posted October 12, 2016 Posted October 12, 2016 ok then lets go. WHATCH WHAT YOUR DOING WITH THE BLACK PLASTIC POWER STEERING RESEVOIR. it will snap off very easy . If this is your 1st atempt may i sugest a bottle of tcp and some sticky plasters. remove the negative (--) lead from the battery and remover the fan belt ( if your not sure u tube has videos on it)The pulley on the power steering has 4 holes in it . you want to set the holes at 12 /.3/ .6. and 9 o'clock. look thru the holes at 6 and 9 o'clock and you see 2 Allen key bolts these need to be removed. now at the back of the power steering pump you will see 1 more bolt ( this might be a 13 mm bolt)either at 12 or 6 o'clock. remove this one and the pump will be loose. see if there is enough slack on the power steering pipes to allow you to lift the pump out of the way. if not then you will have to remove the pipes to the power steering pump. watch the bottom pipe as it fits on to a plastic spout that will snap if you not careful . with the pump out of the way you will see the alternator remove the main wire (13mm niut) and either the 8 mm nut or mufti plug (feed wire). next look at the alternator and you will see either 2 or 4 bolts holding it on (depending on type as I cant see from photos ) remove these and the alternator will come out with a bit of pushing and pulling and skin loss. refitting is the reversal of the above. . Quote
RodWhite Posted October 12, 2016 Author Posted October 12, 2016 Top man, thanks for this. Do you happen to know the side of the hex bolt as I will have to go buy some and sods law says I won't have the right size. Ta Rod Quote
RodWhite Posted October 12, 2016 Author Posted October 12, 2016 (edited) Also, when you say fan belt - do you mean that big thick belt in one of the pictures? I thought that was the timing belt? rod Edited October 12, 2016 by RodWhite Quote
paul.h Posted October 12, 2016 Posted October 12, 2016 The fan belt (auxiliary belt) is the thick ribbed one you can see. I am not sure but there may be a need for tensioning it once put back, or possibly doing it the way suggested the tension is not disturbed. If you look at the cylinder head cover with the Citroen logo on, the timing belt is hidden by a plastic cover at the left end as you look from the front of the car. To get the size of the allen key bit needed you could push a bit of paper over the head of one of them to mark it (or do a brass rubbing) and then get one to fit - or buy a set of bits to use with your socket set. Quote
coastline taxis Posted October 12, 2016 Posted October 12, 2016 im fairly certain its a automatic tensioner for the fan belt paul. If you look a image number 4 under the power steering pully youl see two pullys the one on the left is the tensioner yoi just put a spanner on it and pull it back to release the tension on the belt. remove the belt then let the tension of the tensioner .. Would be a good idea to take a picture of the belt route so you no which way it goes back on. . re the hex bolts I'm sure there a 6 or a 8 but you can get a set of 8 for around £4 Quote
RodWhite Posted October 12, 2016 Author Posted October 12, 2016 (edited) Hi Folks, Thanks for your help. I got it removed today so your guidance was good. The tensioner is automatic. I put a socket on it and got the father in law to hold it back while I removed the belt. Now all I need to do is buy the right alternator and drop it back in. I did find that I had to remove a lower guide wheel for the belt as well because it stopped the bottom left bolt from being removed but that was no biggie. I don't understand why Citroen would have different types of fixings for alternators. He's got the one with 4 bolts. I find it odd. If they can be secured using two then why build a 4 bolt version. Ho hum...... Cheers everyone. Rod Edited October 12, 2016 by RodWhite Quote
coastline taxis Posted October 13, 2016 Posted October 13, 2016 any scrappy should have a alternator in. or u can get your reconed for arounf £50 Quote
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