Alternator swap !!!!!

[Big Mark]

Trying to change the alernator on my 02 110tdi elegance wagon, have managed to get the a/c compresoor out of the way, undone the lower alternator retaining bolt and removed it, for the life of me I can't see a way to get to the upper bolt, its tucked up behind the auxliary belt tensioner, I can probably get an open ended spanner on it, but even if I do, there is still no room to remove the bolt, is there a way to do this, is the tensioner easy to remove, the haynes manual is about as much use as a chocolate fire guard, "remove lower then upper bolts and remove from the bracket", fine, but no mention of how to get to the top bolt.

Can someone please help?

Thanks

Mark

[mbames]

removing the aux tensioner is quite easy... I did a few weekends ago, there are just a couple of bolts holding it in place.

The haynes manual totally ignored part of an engine mount for when I was doing my cambelt change!

[Big Mark]

Oh good, hoped it wasn't too bad, where are the bolts, only just got up, I'll be having a cup of tea , and back out on it.

Thanks

Mark

[mbames]

3 bolts on the aux tensioner, iirc. I found that having an extra pair of hands when it came to putting the belt back on (to slacken off the tensioner) was a great help.

[Big Mark]

All done now, amazing how much easier it is to do stuff in daylight when its not p*ssing down with rain, what a horrible job, if I ever have to do it again it'll be too soon, you have to take half the car to pieces to get to it, then its too bloody big to get out, have torn my hands to shreds, the air was blue.

[mbames]

better not consider cambelt change then.... I have quite small hands, and still found that a right pain. Having done it once I might do it again as I know it is possible, but not a very pleasurable experience - so many things that need to be taken before before u get to the belt change.

[Big Mark]

Been there and done that,(swearing and more swearing, and a bit more swearing) and had to have it all apart again to fix the bloody engine mount,( even more swearing) I'm quite adept on that side of the engine now, as I don't think there is anything I havent had to touch, Thanks for your help.