What could cause this??

I have just noticed that the little red rubber cap that covers the bolt on the back of my alternator is split open and the bolt/connection under it is exposed. It looks like something has been chewing at it

I have limited technical powers and would appreciate your thoughts

 

do you park it in a garage over night.cos if you do you could have mice.the reason i say this is my mother was having this problem with her veyron (fiesta).when ever she asked me to check the oil i noticed the alternator nut cover and the + battery terminal cover were being chewed.on a better inspection the little fekkers were building a nest down the back of her engine bay.so a few traps layed and voila i was having mouse soup for my tee.

 

I do live very close to a farmers field so its possible i could have lodgers in my engine bay especially with the cold nights we are having.

Maybe i should start charging rent

You don't have a spare cap laying around do you?

 

no but i got a roll of insulating tape.

 

Arf probably has a moggie spare...



dunx

 

Kt Green are posting me one out £4


If this one gets chewed my next purchase will be an air rifle

 

 

Not Happy, the cap has fallen apart again.

I have just been out for a drive/xmas shopping and on inspection it looks like the alternator could be over heating as it is very hot to the touch.

How hot should the alternator be after a medium drive? and if it is over heating what could be the cause?

My car is a 55 plate STI and is standard, it is having no problems starting or driving.

 

Bearing failure will cause excessive amounts of heat, IMHO.

dunx

 

Bugger its never simple is it

What if the belt was too tight would that cause wear on the bearings

 

Get the alt checked for voltage output, they have a tendancy for the voltage regulator to fail and give an output of about 15.7v wich would cause the live wire to the battery to overheat and melt/disintergrate the cap. this would also bugger your battery after a short while.if you have a multimeter you can check yourself should be no more than 14.4v with the engine running AND WARM.

hth

jamie

 

Thanks Jamie, I'll give that a go tomorrow.

Is the voltage regulator a seperate part to the alternator?

 

Only on ancient British cars...

dunx

 

hello matey, i have a cap you can have if you come get it. i also have an alternator you can have for £20 if you need it? its from a legacy but im possitive there the same

 

i had the same problem it was mice chewing it plus positive cover on battery

 

That was my initial thoughts but the positive terminal cover is fine