Hi Bennie just to say I did my alternator today and you can get to the top bolt with a three inch extension a small socket on a quarter drive ratchet it took five mins to get the bolt out total job hour Steve.
Yes it's a pain, very difficult to get to that top bolt, easiest way is to remove the 3 bolts that hold the aircon pump (after removing the 10mm bracket bolt and the belt) this then allows the aircon pump to be moved backwards and upwards a couple of inches giving access to the top alternator bolt from above. Also makes it easier to remove and replace the alternator from below the car as the aircon pump is connected with flexible pipes assisting manoeuvring parts. Once in, bolt on the alternator before attaching the aircon pump etc. This I know as I have just done the job myself, dont spend 2 hours trying to shift 1 bolt and there is no need to have the aircon system depressurised and remove pipes as was advised in one RU-vid video that I saw, at who knows what expense (then get it re-pressurised if you want your aircon to work, more expense.)
Hi Bennie , i had a real struggle getting alternator off , the bolts were siezed solid ,took around 21/2 hours to get off ,i don't want to do that again lol
Good to see it is possible, albeit with a lot of effort. Nice job! I also read on fiatforum that removing the right hand engine mount to move the engine forward helps with access. Also perhaps possible to loosen the aircon pump bolts and move that slightly, without touching the pipes, to make access easier?
Good video!Fiat Idea has the same mounting of the alternator and all is more tight than on a Punto. So even the engine must be lowered, to get this baby out. The Garage will take now EURO 700,00 incl. a low budget no name alternator, the belt and tension pulley. Greetings from Austria.
That bolt on top is the right pig to get to!! I have quite a few extentions in my Halfords set but all were either too long or too short with that tight space there! 🙈
As above comment small quarter inch extension fits perfect.... when it came to re inserting the bolt i put a small o ring while the alternator was out to retain the bolt in position ... 45 minutes to a hour. Above below and beside, the 2 screws on inner wing were hardest part in my opinion once you figure out a route for your extension for top bolt
My 2006 Grande Punto just started having issues with its alternator. Seems to be the exact same design as the Evo. Suspect worn carbon brushes. Do you know if it's possible to replace the brushes? Or is it better to just replace it altogether?
I pulled one off in a scrap yard recently, took me and my mate an hour to undo just that stupid bolt on top of the alternator!! 440 feels sharp but if yours was for stop-start system then alternator alone would be more expensive.
@@marianadm4320 I understand. I meant that if your Punto has stop-start system the replacement alternator would be more expensive, coz it has to charge battery faster during stop-start cycles. That may explain why replacing it was so expensive.
@@marianadm4320 well.. then 440 all in doesn't sound too bad then, considering it takes an hour to take it out and out new one in, plus time to put it up on the ramp etc.