Imo000

The tab that's part of the cover plate that bolts to the block snapped on my '99. I think the long bolt that holds the alternator in that U channel came loose, moved the alternator way out of position then snapped of the left tad, shredding the belt and burning a nice hole on the bottom of the oil filler tube. Has this happened to anyone? I think its one of those freak things that isn't too common to occur. I must have not tightenned the long alternator bolt (the one that has the idler on it) and over 15K kms, it finally came loose.

Ahsai

Wow, that sounded quite violent. At least the u channel on teh engine block is fine and all you need is a replacement alternator.

Mark I

The Alumaloy people claim their product can be used to reconstruct such a tab. No experience with it, just thinking out loud.

Imo000

Its not the tab on the alternator that snapped but the tab that is part of a coolant passage cover that is bolted to the block. The tab that has a steel bushing and a shirt bolt goes through it to hold the alternator in place. I noticed a problem when the powersteering was dead. No noise of any kind. Car was driven normally before but we have some deep potholes from the winter so maybe the long bolt wasn't fully tightenned and got jogged when I hit a pothole. The dash lit up like a christmas tree so I was occupied by that for a few minutes before figured out the belt must have snapped. Thrn I looked at the temp gauge and noticed it was starting to go up. Pulled over very shortly in the closest patking lot. And then towed it home with a rope and my rusty diesel Jetta that had a "Porsche support vehicle" sticker on the back. As soon as we pulled out of the parking lot with the cars, a Ferrari passed the other way looking. Lol

alpine003

1. Damn about time it broke.

2. JB weld and Gorilla duct tape.

Seriously, glad nothing else got damaged. I had a belt snap on me before in my BMW that caused a lot if collateral damage.

Imo000

Ordered a new part from the local dealer and the orignal part was replaced by a 997 part number. I'm guessing they made it a bit stronger than the original. The point where the tab broke had very little material.

Ahsai

Like this? http://www.renntech.org/forums/topic...ilure/?p=33208

Imo000

Yes, IDENTICAL!

Ahsai

Ouch. At least it's not the u channel A new cover and oil filler tube should set it straight.

Imo000

I was thinking the same. The crappy part is that the filler tube is only a year and a half old. I still don't fully understand what happend but maybe it was the casting that let go first.

Ahsai

Yea, like you said there's not much material to begin with. If the bolt on the u channel was not tight enough, it's not hard to imagine...Is the alternator seized?

jumper5836

You're lucky that it didn't catch it on fire.

Imo000

The alternator and everything else spins fine. I had the family in the car so Inwas behaving and drve like a normal person, otherwise oil might have been everywhere. The wife was glad it broke while I was driving and not her.

Dharn55

I am hoping you ordered the gasket too. You will need it.

Imo000

Yes I did.