Why are our alternators so weak?
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From: Honolulu
Originally posted by cthree
Hmmm...
Hmmm...
:ahem: I'd say only yours is weak! Seriously, that is really something! I was expecting to read a complaint about how we couldn't power 4 500 watt amplifiers! 
I guess its the extra vibrations our cars experiance between 8000 and 9000 rpm. It is uncharted territory! FWIW, I had the belt tensioner break the internal spring and cause the accessory drive belt to go slack. Naturally this caused the a/c and water pump to stop working...
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From: Transporter
That nut looks like it's been cycled once or twice... were you trying something?
The fracture appears to be the result of stress between the mounting points. I've seen this kind of thing when the bolts aren't torqued properly in sequence.
It also could be if somthing heavy was dropped on the top (is that a scar above where it says Honda?)
The aluminum casting would have to be reallly really bad for the tension in the alternator belt to cause this type of major failure.
The fracture appears to be the result of stress between the mounting points. I've seen this kind of thing when the bolts aren't torqued properly in sequence.
It also could be if somthing heavy was dropped on the top (is that a scar above where it says Honda?)
The aluminum casting would have to be reallly really bad for the tension in the alternator belt to cause this type of major failure.
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From: Toronto, Canada
Frankly I have no idea. The mounting bolt has wrench marks on it so it's been fiddled with but I've never touched it. I only noticed the problem when my belt started squeeking. I took it in to get a new one (thinking it was hosed) and the service advisor spotted it. It's cracked right along some hidden bolt of sorts right through to the threads (you can see the bolt threads) so I suspect it was over torqued. But why? I can't imagine.
I've never had it serviced and the bolt in question has nothing to do with mounting. I can only suspect it's casting defect that just expanded until it broke wide open. It's very high res image, you can zoom right in and see what I mean.
The dealer is going to replace it next week.
I've never had it serviced and the bolt in question has nothing to do with mounting. I can only suspect it's casting defect that just expanded until it broke wide open. It's very high res image, you can zoom right in and see what I mean.
The dealer is going to replace it next week.
