Alternator removal vectra sri

[irmscherko]

Hi! I need help to change my alternator. ive got a 2003 vectra sri 2.2L irmscher. 3 long bolts that attached my alt to the engine are already off and i think there is one more (down the bottom) which i cant seem to get any access.
Also, how can i remove the belt? offside wheel and splash guard are already off. all advises will be greatly appreciated. ta

[vectraturbocal]

i havent taken the alternator off mate but when i did water pump i took my timing cover off and belt(obviously lol) easiest thing mate jack the car up remover o/s wheel another jack under engine and drop it off the engine mount you can lower it just enough to reach it all, the other way to get belt off is to get a rachet on tensioner but i couldnt do it as it was too close to chassis hope that helps. before anybody starts sayings its a bit rash dropping engine for alternator as im sure they will i did that for the timing cover and just saying it will make it easier

[Ian-Highlander]

When I did my alternator on my old car (same engine as yours), I did it all from above. From memory, I removed the airbox, the front coolant hose to the radiator and a couple of small brackets and that was it.

The belt is held tight by a VERY strong spring loaded tensioner, there's a small slot above the tensioner that you can "just" get a small bar into and lever the tensioner downwards to loosen the belt but be very careful you dont damage the tensioner. In the end it took two of us, one holding the tensioner and the other moving the belt off the pulley.

If you were closer I'd do it for you, it only took me about 45 mins or so, start to finish. It's fiddly but not a massive job. Fingers crossed for you mate.

[irmscherko]

thanks for the replies. fingers crossed and as soon the weather gets a bit better, ill carry on fixing it!!!

[irmscherko]

Did eventually managed to remove the belt, had to use a long enough piece of wood and put it under the belt tensioner and then jack the whole thing. not the best way but can be done in just about 5-10 mins.