Last couple of weeks a harsh noise has been heard on idle. Stuck my home-made stethoscope (ie a long Snap-on screwdriver with a lump of rag on the handle) against various engine parts, traced to the alternator. So yesterday, off came the aux belt, and I found about 1-2mm up and down and about 5mm in and out at the pulley. Ordered a replacement unit from Eurocarparts, Bosch to replace the bosch unit currently fitted. Initial discount, plus 'end of month' promo, cost down to £195. Plus new aux belt (well, I planned to replace it in about a month when I service the car) similarly discounted to a tenner.
Just got the old unit off in about an hour and a half. Worst bit was releasing the dratted large loom clips for which I had to remove the air box to get at the tage from beneath with pong-nosed-liars.
Spun it with my drill with a rubber wheel and the unit is rattling like a good 'un. Would have had the job finished today but OH needed the car for lunch with friends, so couldn't start it until the engine had cooled down. I reckon the new one should go in a darned sight faster than the old one came out.
Slightly O/T, good result from my recent blanking off of the EGR; at the same time I rermoved, stripped and cleaned the intake manifold with the assistance of my lad's vapour blaster. What a difference that has made; 3-4 better mpg running around, 4-5 better mpg on runs, and 3-4 mpg towing. Plus the benefit of the car now going like a scalded cat.