Bongo Fury

Latest ailment of the old girl

Charge light and sediment light came on on start up for home yesterday afternoon.

Have checked battery with meter found it to read 12.15v at normal revs. ( battery is knackered anyway that was on shopping list!) Revved to 2500rpm no change at meter.

Inspection of alternater found that the outer belt had turned over with the belt teeth outside. I found bits of belt wrapped around a/c pulley and noticed that the nearest edge of the inner belt had been damaged. The angle of alternator pulley to water pump is slightly askew in that the outer belt is inclined towards inner belt. All alternator support bolts are tight. I replaced all belts 4 weeks ago when I replaced the pump.

So gentlemen do you think that the alternator bearings are shot?

Cant think of anything else at the mo. I have not taken belts of yet for a more detailed inspection as I was inclined to weep into a pint of cider next door

Hi handyman,

Check your alternator adjusting bolts,these bolts (setscrews) are on the top of the alternator.

You may find that they have become loose,you use these bolts to true the belts.

I would answer but you only asked the "gentlemen"

missfixit70 wrote:I would answer but you only asked the "gentlemen"

I'm surprised he got an answer at all really

Kirsty,
Ain't you as good as any bloke on here

You have gentlemanly virtues of getting your fingers dirty and getting stuck in

As good as the rest of them

handyman wrote:Kirsty,
Ain't you as good as any bloke on here

You have gentlemanly virtues of getting your fingers dirty and getting stuck in

As good as the rest of them

You won't get an answer now with that complement.

Can someone lend him a ladder to get out of the hole he's digging?

missfixit70 wrote:Can someone lend him a ladder to get out of the hole he's digging?

Well done Kirsty. When he has dug himself out he will REALLY appreciate your assistance.

missfixit70 wrote:Can someone lend him a ladder to get out of the hole he's digging?

Needs more appliance of science than that, the depth he's down at


We're only joshing, handyman (wot a merciless lot we are)

Mike whats that thing in your photo?

After awhile of fitting new belts they will need adjusting, if they are loose they like going inside out.

Just to check - you are using belts from a bongo specialist aren't you?

Ones from a motor factor will look the same and they'll say they fit but bongo ones are a funny pitch/size.

My advice is to buy 2 new belts and fit them, the old one keep in the glove box as a spare. Both belts need to wear in together so they stretch the same. I know this from bitter bitter experience

As for the alignment of the alternator, if it is that bad perhaps you need a new alternator mounting bracket (check all bolts are tight first)

Russ

Err, Ladies and Gentlemen

Thanks for the input

Appollogies to Kirsty.

Missed your valued, informed and well documented knowledge of the Bongo Kirsty. definitely not your average Essex girl



Russ was probably right and Rita to a degree. I thought that it might have been neglect on my part not checking belts soon after replacement. I have installed new quality belts from japimports but unfortuanately the alternator is kaput as well.
The alternator alignment is ok. I managed to start it and checked the alignment.
Alternater was only producing 11.5v,same at the battery. As I said in 1st post the battery is naff so I might nick the boat battery untill after next months MOT which will probably be expensive. Had cills welded last year

So will source new alternator on Ebay 1 going for £105 brand new no exchange. Probably a copy but hey if it gives 3yrs service thats a bargin since I had the original repaired for £120 3 yrs ago

If the alternator isn't having to charge through it'd duffness the a slightly slack belt will try to invert itself as there's no "drag" from the magnets. Still, you'll be saving on fuel!