Hi,
I recently had a new alternator fitted in my car however, after some weeks the battery light was coming on and off intermittently. I took it back to get checked out and i was told that i had a fuel leakand diesel was being sprayed over the new alternator and that had 'soaked' it. I was told the fuel leak had been fixed but that the alternator might dry out but he was unsure as he did not know how diesel reacted.
About 10 days later of flickering the light came full on, that evening i could see the belt had come off. My local regular garageinforms me that 3 holding bolts were missing and likly caused all the damage bouncing, NOT the diesel as he believd that the diesel wouldnt affect the unit. He also said that he would have sent it back to the supplier, something the fitting garage refused to do!
Bit confused now as if the fitting garage did me wrong then i want them to pay for the work to get this fixed so could anyone advise on what diesel would do to an alternator?
Nat
2007-03-20 20:15:25 · 8 answers · asked by nataliebird2000 2 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Oooo, seems to be thoughts on both sides of the camp now! Nothing conclusive anyways so i can see why complaining to the original fitter/supplier is going to be tricky. Even the missing bolts seem to have been blamed on the apparently leaking diesel so i am really confused what to do now.
I dont know what my regular garage is going to charge for sorting all this out for me but it has renewed my distrust of garages in general and I am more frustrated that i happened to breakdown some 50miles away originally hence the unknown. Makes me feel if i am not charged too much its easier to shut up and move on.
2007-03-21 09:47:10 · update #1
It sounds to me that the alternator was fitted incorrectly to begin with and when you took it back to the garage they blamed the fault on a diesel leak.
Diesel could cause damage to a alternator as diesel can break down synthetic materials such as plastic and rubber and there are such componats within an alternator.This can only happen over a period of time but can be speeded up by introducing heat ie, if the diesel is warm or if the alternator is warm but it still takes time. Longer than two weeks.
The biggest problem is that it is one garges word against another if the first garage is a reputable buisness then ask then to see evidence of quality control for the work carried out on your vehicle. ( I suspect that they won't be able to show such document).
You can try to blame them for the diesel leak, they blame it on that! If the leak was there when the alternator was fitted they should have spotted it! If it wasn't clumsy hands may have caused it?! Call their bluff!!
I worked in and have run workshops for many years and have had to deal with problems like this my self. It's a trickey one! Go back to the garage and ask to see the Manager and explain the situation. Try this approach first but be careful if you take a legal route, make sure you have taken plenty of advise first both Legal and Technical.
2007-03-20 22:27:07 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
diesel spraying on an alternator could cause a short but im surprized it wasnt a fire.bolts dont just loosen up if they were tightened up right.I had a mustang that i put a new alternator on and the bolts holding it together loosened and it caught fire.The store i got it from took it back and replaced it with no problem.most alternators have at least a 90 day warranty and they should have replaced it and fixed the leak in the first place.the prob is they can get the alternator replaced but they dont get paid for doing the job again for you.Or you got ripped off and got a used alternator the had around the shop and got charged for new.
2007-03-21 03:52:13 · answer #2 · answered by bearman48064 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Diesel makes a good penetrating oil, so if the bolts were badly fixed it would help them come loose. Also in the alternator it could wash grease from the bearings or burn on the slip rings, both of which would cause failure. It probably wouldn't affect the windings. Lastly it would attack the drive belt causing slipping and eventual failure.
2007-03-20 21:24:32 · answer #3 · answered by The original Peter G 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hi,Nat.Any type of liquid can damage an electrical device such as an alternator.Most are sealed enough to prevent this type of damage unless it's a long time problem.But any type of internal moisture can really screw it up.Long story short,diesel will NOT remove bolts in 10 days.Like I had told another Yahoo asker,contact the BBB,(better business bureau) and let the shop who put the alternator know you plan to do so.Good luck.
2007-03-20 20:34:40 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
If the people who replaced alternator did not tighten bolts causing belt to come off, it sounds like thay should be at fault it unlikely diesel fuel would cause belt to come off and ruin alternator.go back to where you had alternator replaced and have them fix and pay for your trouble or see a lawer and take them to court
2007-03-20 20:44:42 · answer #5 · answered by big dummy 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Ask these questions of the mechanic who fixed it and present the bill to the other garage. If they refuse to pay, get a lawyer. You have a good Small Claims Court case.
2007-03-20 20:24:42 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The undesirable information for you is that there is not any genuine call for for the W116 chassis from creditors. however the forged information, as suggested above, is that there is a call for for the M617 diesel engine powered autos. From the faults you have listed, i might say you ought to get between $one thousand to $1500
2016-11-27 19:14:45 · answer #7 · answered by fearson 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, it softens softens of the internal components, like the brushes, which stops it working.
2007-03-21 09:06:41 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋