Put a new alternator pulley on about six weeks ago as the bearing was starting to break up, great, problem solved, or so I thought. I had noticed an increase in noise from the alternator like a roughness with a bit of a squeak in the last couple of days, this morning on my way to work it changed to a deep rough rumble, bugger, alternator bearing well and truly fooked.

Why do these things always happen on a Monday on your way to work?

I had just booked a mid-week break yesterday evening, and Swmbo's parting words as she left for her night shift at the hospital were "your car had better not need anything this time!" I swear to god, the woman is a jinx!

Last year it was two tyres after she said almost exactly the same thing, they weren't illegal, I'm just paranoid especially when the whole family is going to be in the car and we will be travelling a distance at speed. She doesn't seem to get the idea that the car must be in perfect running order for our holiday, I mean we will be doing about fifteen hundred miles over the course of a week so, our safety is very high on my agenda.

In the last couple of months the engine has had a complete timing belt and roller kit, water pump, alternator tensioner and belt, alternator pulley and now a feckin' alternator (which came with a new pulley on it!)

Arrgghh! money that would or could have been spent on the holiday. Somebody up there doesn't like me I think!

Oh well, at least I have a new spare pulley just in case.

I dread to think what she's going to say when I tell her the aerial mount is fooked too, at least it's only going to cost about £30 to fix and I can do it myself at the weekend as it is not imperative that it works as CD's will do fine for the time being

Cars, don't you just love them?.

i would change the full alternator and pulley for what the pulley costs alone .... especially given the extra stresses and strains a seized pulley is putting on the alternator

i would change the full alternator and pulley for what the pulley costs alone .... especially given the extra stresses and strains a seized pulley is putting on the alternator

Well this is a lesson I have now learned my friend, at the time I just followed the garage's recommendation regarding what was required to get the car back on the road.

I have done some research and reading on this site and discovered some of the weaknesses of the Fabia and how best to deal with them.

ummm.... If a garage was fitting it, I'd probably get the alternator complete.

TBH if DIYing I might too, just to save the hassle and delay of obtaining a special tool.

Though...

eBay pulleys from £30

eBay alternators start around £90. So over an hour's labour saving unless you live in Chelsea, in which case it'll buy a scone!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1qs_eFRXqs

4:40 on...