alternator

[imraan47]

Hey.
apparently alternator has seized? and need a new belt.
$295 with labour.

is this reasonable?
what is the cost for an alternator.
i want to do the job myself as i know its not hard to replace this.
what alternator is the right one for this engine?
oh how would the alternator seize? how can i test to see if it really has seized up? i do not believe him that it is seized so i need to make sure.
i have 1988 merc, alpha 1 gen 1, 120hp 4cyl

would a alternator from a car work..say if i get one at the scrap yard that came off a 4cyl engine.

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: alternator

simply turn the pully,
"would a alternator from a car work..say if i get one at the scrap yard that came off a 4cyl engine. "

no ,because you would blow yourself up should you develop a fuel leak and your insurance would not cover you because of "non-marine explosion proof" components.plus , that motor was never used in the auot industry.

 

[imraan47]

Re: alternator

simply turn the pully,
"would a alternator from a car work..say if i get one at the scrap yard that came off a 4cyl engine. "

no ,because you would blow yourself up should you develop a fuel leak and your insurance would not cover you because of "non-marine explosion proof" components.plus , that motor was never used in the auot industry.

i am just supprised why a mechanic would not answer a simple question but instead get pissed off.
anyhow where can i get this part perhaps used? how do i know which is the right one?
so if it spins then its not seized?
how would you check if it charges the battery fine?

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: alternator

using a meter at the battery , record the voltage reading, now start the engine ,at about 1000rpm-1200 rpm check the voltage reading, it should be higher .13.6-14.6 .amy electrical shop can rebuild it for less but new is around 150 ish.I have 2 used mando`s but the question is whats there now. I prefer single wire GM `s over the korean one.

 

[Bondo]

Re: alternator

i am just supprised why a mechanic would not answer a simple question but instead get pissed off.
anyhow where can i get this part perhaps used? how do i know which is the right one?
so if it spins then its not seized?
how would you check if it charges the battery fine?

Ayuh,... Just what was that simple question...
Most of yer's seem to simple to even answer,...
"so if it spins then its not seized?"

Do you own a set of Wrenches,..??
How about a set of sockets,..??
Screwdriver,..?? Prybar,..??

Do you know what/ where the alternator Is,..??
If so,..
Take it Off, 'n bring it to a Napa or Pepboys or Wherever, 'n have it Tested.....
If it Fails, tell 'em ya need an Exact replacement unit...

 

[imraan47]

Re: alternator

Ayuh,... Just what was that simple question...
Most of yer's seem to simple to even answer,...
"so if it spins then its not seized?"

Do you own a set of Wrenches,..??
How about a set of sockets,..??
Screwdriver,..?? Prybar,..??

Do you know what/ where the alternator Is,..??
If so,..
Take it Off, 'n bring it to a Napa or Pepboys or Wherever, 'n have it Tested.....
If it Fails, tell 'em ya need an Exact replacement unit...

hey.
the simple question was 'would one from a car work' he got pissed and now wont do the job! he is overpriced anyway
of course i know my way around this and have enough tools to do this job.
thanks i will go take it out and go to a few places.

oh would one of these work from ebay:

http://cgi.ebay.ca/New-Alternator-7...r_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item45fb40ad5c

or

http://cgi.ebay.ca/MERCRUISER-ALTER...at_Parts_Accessories_Gear&hash=item19b70c5341

 

[CheapboatKev]

Re: alternator

I believe either would work..A used alt from ebay would not give me the warm and fuzzies..
Why not look here?

http://www.iboats.com/mall/partfind...&gd_poid=187689&gd_row=2&**********=763271425

 

[imraan47]

Re: alternator

I believe either would work..A used alt from ebay would not give me the warm and fuzzies..
Why not look here?

http://www.iboats.com/mall/partfind...&gd_poid=187689&gd_row=2&**********=763271425

That is odd. I called iboat parts up and they didnt have anything. They told me they only had stuff from 1962 to 1982 mercs.
how did you even find this?

 

[imraan47]

Re: alternator

took the alternator off and have it here.
so it does have some sticking points and doesn't spin freely.
so i guess that it is seized.

 

[fishrdan]

Re: alternator

Look in the Iboats store, they are there

iboats.com/Mercruiser-Alternators

120 / 2.5L GM 4 1983-1989 6229718-C853255 18-5966 60050 9-19101

 

[imraan47]

Re: alternator

is there a capacitor right where the black wire goes beside the regulator?
looks like mine doesnt even have that capacitor and its not something have seen even so since i got the boat its been like this.
i took it to a alternator and starter place and they ran a test. they said it seems like its overcharging and gets excited so normally it should read no more than 14volts and mine reads over 15v.
so he is thinking its the regulator that i need.
he isn't really experienced in boat alternators but he knows his way around alot to troubleshoot it.
so anyway i had him clean it up and unseize it then i will go test it in the boat and see what happens.

 

[sasto]

Re: alternator

Good Luck, Imraan. I unseized one that had been sitting for 3 years and got another year out of her till she seized again.

 

[imraan47]

Re: alternator

Good Luck, Imraan. I unseized one that had been sitting for 3 years and got another year out of her till she seized again.

well i will order one of ebay or on here iboats. but i want the boat running this weekend.

if anyone can check my previous post and let me know what they think. that capacitor not being there in the first place is of concern

 

[Don S]

Re: alternator

The capacitor is for noise.
Why don't you take your starter to your local starter/alternator repair shop and have them fix it. Would be a lot cheaper than a new one, and they can put on a new capacitor.

 

[imraan47]

Re: alternator

The capacitor is for noise.
Why don't you take your starter to your local starter/alternator repair shop and have them fix it. Would be a lot cheaper than a new one, and they can put on a new capacitor.

update:
payed $40 to get them to open it and clean the inside. they have a machine to do all this so they told me a small piece of metal went in there and almost damaged it. i was lucky i didnt run it too long once i heard that squeeky sound. apparently there is a faint line inside but it didnt touch the copper wires that create magnetic field.
he also changed the bearing inside. the regulator is ok i guess but he ordered one in case i wanted it but i dont think i will need it. lets see how the battery hold charge now. i put the alternator in and it battery reads no more than 14.47 volts so its good to go.
no capacitor on the alternator but works just fine. i am taking boat on the water for saturday..hope for the best this time.
oh i also replaced the belt..cost me $16
so total $46 and it runs good as far as i know right now.
that beats a scamming $295!!!