Alternator adjustment

mikes2 · 21-10-17, 02:33 PM

Do any of you 7A owners out there have a picture of your alternator adjustment ?

I fitted a new belt 2 years ago and I can't adjust it any more as it's reached the end of it's available travel, yet the belt isn't fully tight.

Belt was a Gates 6391MC 866mm.

Any input welcome.

SwallownAmazon · 21-10-17, 03:49 PM

Mike,
I'll take a look when the wind dies down a bit tomorrow. Can't get the cover off the car without it taking me into the next street just now!

New P/S and alternator belts were fitted before we went off to Spain and I kept the old ones as spares. Part number is either 054 903 137 (11.0 x 866) or 035 260 849C (12.5/13 x 992); the garage didn't identify which one is which.
Chris.

SwallownAmazon · 22-10-17, 10:21 AM

I had forgotten how much of a sod it is to get at the alternator mountings - too used to the Volvo where it's laid out "on a plate".

Anyway, here is a picture of mine with the belt tightened up a little to take account of it "riding up with wear" as Mr Humphreys used to say.

Good job I saw this as neither of my belts had been adjusted since fitting 4000 miles ago and were flapping about like a c**k in a sock!

Both now correctly adjusted!

I wonder if your belts got muddled in the packaging and you have the longer power steering belt driving the alternator?

sinbin5t · 22-10-17, 12:21 PM

That adjuster is the same as on my coupe's, if you have got to the far end then it's either the wrong belt or it has stretched wildly for some reason

mikes2 · 22-10-17, 03:04 PM

Thanks for the pic.

Yours is where I'd expect it to be.

Mine's all the way over to the right with no more adjustment left.

Looks like the belt is possibly wrongly marked or it has stretched a lot.

Alternator has been on the car since 2000, so I'm confident there's no problem with that.

mikes2 · 28-10-17, 12:12 PM

Fitted a new belt today and the adjustment is now back to normal.

Still not seeing enough volts with the headlights on though so I'll replace the alternator.

The one fitted has had a good innings at 17 years and 160k miles

SwallownAmazon · 30-10-17, 10:24 AM

22-10-17, 03:04 PM	#5
mikes2 4 ring whore! Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Polmont Posts: 2,617	Thanks for the pic. Yours is where I'd expect it to be. Mine's all the way over to the right with no more adjustment left. Looks like the belt is possibly wrongly marked or it has stretched a lot. Alternator has been on the car since 2000, so I'm confident there's no problem with that. __________________ 1991 90 quattro 20v sport 1991 90 quattro

28-10-17, 12:12 PM	#6
mikes2 4 ring whore! Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Polmont Posts: 2,617	Fitted a new belt today and the adjustment is now back to normal. Still not seeing enough volts with the headlights on though so I'll replace the alternator. The one fitted has had a good innings at 17 years and 160k miles __________________ 1991 90 quattro 20v sport 1991 90 quattro

21-10-17, 03:49 PM	#2
SwallownAmazon Grown up member Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Tonbridge, Kent Posts: 511	Mike, I'll take a look when the wind dies down a bit tomorrow. Can't get the cover off the car without it taking me into the next street just now! New P/S and alternator belts were fitted before we went off to Spain and I kept the old ones as spares. Part number is either 054 903 137 (11.0 x 866) or 035 260 849C (12.5/13 x 992); the garage didn't identify which one is which. Chris.

22-10-17, 10:21 AM	#3
SwallownAmazon Grown up member Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Tonbridge, Kent Posts: 511	I had forgotten how much of a sod it is to get at the alternator mountings - too used to the Volvo where it's laid out "on a plate". Anyway, here is a picture of mine with the belt tightened up a little to take account of it "riding up with wear" as Mr Humphreys used to say. Good job I saw this as neither of my belts had been adjusted since fitting 4000 miles ago and were flapping about like a c**k in a sock! Both now correctly adjusted! I wonder if your belts got muddled in the packaging and you have the longer power steering belt driving the alternator?

22-10-17, 12:21 PM	#4
sinbin5t 4 ring whore! Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Where a spike points skywards Posts: 12,960	That adjuster is the same as on my coupe's, if you have got to the far end then it's either the wrong belt or it has stretched wildly for some reason

30-10-17, 10:24 AM	#7
SwallownAmazon Grown up member Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Tonbridge, Kent Posts: 511