Have just done the alternator on my diesel using the excellent how to. However a couple of points:
On a later auto, the oil cooler is bolted to the subframe and gets in the way of moving the aircon compressor enough to remove the alternator, so this needs unfastening (two 10mm headed bolts) and moving aside / lowering.
It also helps in getting the alternator in / out to remove the aircon belt tensioner completely rather than just loosening it to get the belt off.
Finally I struggled with the aniciliary belt tensioner at first. The how to says a 24mm ring spanner, but to me a ring spanner is one of the offset cranked ones and no way will this work. I think the how to is referring to the ring end of what I know as a combination spanner, however the one I had the ring was still too thick to get on without damaging the tensioner. However the open end slipped on a treat and applying sideways pressure was never going to slip off. So I would recommend a decent length open end 24mm as opposed to the ring.
Other than that it was a great help, and saved loads of hassle compared to the official MGR method.
On a later auto, the oil cooler is bolted to the subframe and gets in the way of moving the aircon compressor enough to remove the alternator, so this needs unfastening (two 10mm headed bolts) and moving aside / lowering.
It also helps in getting the alternator in / out to remove the aircon belt tensioner completely rather than just loosening it to get the belt off.
Finally I struggled with the aniciliary belt tensioner at first. The how to says a 24mm ring spanner, but to me a ring spanner is one of the offset cranked ones and no way will this work. I think the how to is referring to the ring end of what I know as a combination spanner, however the one I had the ring was still too thick to get on without damaging the tensioner. However the open end slipped on a treat and applying sideways pressure was never going to slip off. So I would recommend a decent length open end 24mm as opposed to the ring.
Other than that it was a great help, and saved loads of hassle compared to the official MGR method.
