CIH Posted June 24, 2011 Report Share Posted June 24, 2011 check the alternator earth strap (asuming it has one) as a bad earth can casue odd issues like overcharging. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted June 25, 2011 Author Report Share Posted June 25, 2011 Steve, don't they usually put labels over the screws to stop you doing that? Â Pete, just check it for corrosion then and clean with sand paper? could that explain the high voltage reading if it's been overcharging, so the battery is probably buggered as well? Â I give up! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SMARTLY Posted June 25, 2011 Report Share Posted June 25, 2011 don't they usually put labels over the screws to stop you doing that  From what I recall some do, some don't. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted June 25, 2011 Author Report Share Posted June 25, 2011 Been raining all morning so not had the chance to take it out yet, hoping to soon and then I'll take a look. TBH I doubt I'll take it apart as they will probably see from marks on the screws. I thought about buying the cheaper one they do that I got last time but didn't fit properly, trouble is was that a one off or will it happen again! Â Or I can try and get one off ebay but that means the missus has no car for the week so is stuffed. Â If I get time Tony I might pop over with both my batteries to see if they're buggered. Could it have been me putting the other battery on yesterday that caused the alternator to cook itself or do you think that would've happened regardless? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted June 25, 2011 Author Report Share Posted June 25, 2011 I can't open the alternator, there is a big nut in the middle of it with a metal cap, you can't get that off without damaging it. The underneath was dripping in oil when I removed it and there was some on the belt. It looks like the voltage regulator as burnt out looking at it and that's where the smell is coming from. I also noticed the pulley on the alternator for the belt is slightly bent at the top. I'm pretty sure it wasn't like that when I bought it, so unless I've knocked it what could've caused that?  I phoned a dismantlers in Hemel (opposite where Kiplings was) and they have an alternator for £20, so gonna get that now. I'm gonna pop in on the way back Tony with the batteries if it's too late before you close. I'm also gonna drop the alternator into Allparts and hope they refund me.  Few photos...     Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted June 25, 2011 Report Share Posted June 25, 2011 Looks a mess, your lucky it didn't catch fire. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted June 26, 2011 Author Report Share Posted June 26, 2011 That's why I disconnected the battery straight away. I thought it was going to catch alight though  I went to the scrap yard to get the alternator yesterday, turned up, they opened the bonnet and guess what, there wasn't one! FFS! So that was a wasted trip.  Thanks to Tony for checking my batteries, both of them are fine and so is my multimeter. Quite surprised the old battery I had was ok cos I replaced it with a new one as it kept going flat!  When I mentioned the alternator Tony even said to me that Allparts will send it off and you buy a new one, then get a credit note. I went to Watford yesterday afternoon and told the guy what happened. He asked me if I want another one and I said no I've got one as I was told on the phone I would get charged for it. He got the form for me to fill in and then open the till and gave me 86 quid! Didn't even look at the alternator to check the serial number or see what condition it was in.  So the car is sitting in the car park looking sorry for itself and I'm wondering whether I want to put it back on the road TBH. I could send the brakes back, which is £114, save the money I would've spent on tyres, around £112, got £86 back for the alternator, send the tax back (11 months left), sell the steelies and all other mods, then scrap the shell and I reckon that will give me nearly a grand towards another car.  I've worked the parts out like this:  Alloys - £150 Steelies - £40 - £50 Rear arms - £100 - £150 Eibach springs/shocks - £100 - £150 Powerflow Zorst - £120 Hubs with ABS sensors - £40 - £50 (each) Interior - £30 Bumpers - £10 (each) Steering wheel - £20 Front lights - £30 Rear lights - £20  Then scrap the shell and I'll get more money that way.  Putting it back to standard will cost me about £200 - £300 and I'll get £500 for the car if I'm lucky, so £200 to £300 cash back plus what I get for the mods.  What do you think, am I being too hasty? I can still use the escort for the time being but will need to tax it for 6 months and put it on my insurance, which is paid for until January. I don't think it would be much more to change. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted June 27, 2011 Author Report Share Posted June 27, 2011 So any thoughts...break or not? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted June 27, 2011 Report Share Posted June 27, 2011 Call it a day and brake. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted June 27, 2011 Author Report Share Posted June 27, 2011 I think that's the way to go TBH...I also have to consider the MK2 is disappearing from the roads very quickly now. The mods I have may not sell for much in a few years time, that's if I get what I want for them now. When I get the brakes I'll have to send them back, probably cost me a tenner or I might try and return them myself as they're based in Wembley. Â It's shame though as I still like the car and would rather it went whole but there's more money to be had breaking it. The engine is on 191k miles but is still running fine, I just don't think I can trust the electrics anymore Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted June 27, 2011 Author Report Share Posted June 27, 2011 Thread started on TF to get some interest. Just had a thought though, if I want next months tax back I should've sent it off already, so I'm gonna lose a months money. Â What's the best way to get the fuel out as well cos the missus filled it up before the alternator went? No I don't want to use a hose!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted June 27, 2011 Report Share Posted June 27, 2011 Disconnect the fuel hose from the filter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted June 27, 2011 Author Report Share Posted June 27, 2011 The filter is in the engine bay though, I'm not sure if there's one near the tank. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted June 27, 2011 Report Share Posted June 27, 2011 The fuel line from the tank then. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adam_r Posted June 27, 2011 Report Share Posted June 27, 2011 good idea to scrap. Â when you start shelling out loads to keep the thing on the road, you know its time to start searching for a new motor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted June 27, 2011 Author Report Share Posted June 27, 2011 The fuel line from the tank then.  Will try that then when I remove the suspension.  good idea to scrap.  when you start shelling out loads to keep the thing on the road, you know its time to start searching for a new motor.  It's served me well over the last 6 years with minimal problems but the electrics are becoming dodgy. After the alternator incident I don't even know if it damged the wiring loom. I've been through 3 alternators, 2 starter motors and 3 batteries!  I've still got that leak, which I've been trying to sort out and even though it's ok now it won't in the winter! Apart from that it's still running fine but for how much longer is anyone's guess. The wishbone bushes are seperating again, even though I bought Delphi ones, which are suppose to be the same as OEM.  I just hope ECP take the brakes and drop links back without any hassle.  As I've got another month on the tax to go I could just get an alternator for £20, fit it and use the car for a couple of weeks before breaking it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted July 10, 2011 Author Report Share Posted July 10, 2011 Removed the wheels yesterday, cleaned them up and applied 2 coats of wax to each last night. I felt abit sad, I really love these wheels and it's the beginning of the end. I've had them for 4 and half years and in that time I've kept them mint apart from 3 small chips  Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SMARTLY Posted July 10, 2011 Report Share Posted July 10, 2011 Should get a good price for those Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted July 10, 2011 Author Report Share Posted July 10, 2011 Looks like I've sold them already, 180 quid. Rear tyres are bald but they've done over 25k miles and the fronts have done 9k miles so only 2-3mm left. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted July 12, 2011 Author Report Share Posted July 12, 2011 Wheels should be going on Thursday, hopefully. Â Got someone interested in the rear tinted windows, possibly the tailgate and also the springs/shocks. Â Got a few bits going to someone in New Zealand!! Â Also been looking up prices on ebay, it's amazing what sells that I would've left on there. Ash tray for a fiver. The clips that hold the trim on at the back of the rear lights, 5 quid a side. Â I'm also going to remove the central locking motors but as they are also part of the lock how am I going to keep the doors shut if they don't sell? Thinking more for when it's taken away, they won't want them swinging open down the road. Â Also should I sell or weigh in the CAT separately, how much are they worth? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adam_r Posted July 12, 2011 Report Share Posted July 12, 2011 cats are about 50-100 quid depending on how big / the metals they contain. Â deffo NOT something to 'just' throw away! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted July 12, 2011 Author Report Share Posted July 12, 2011 Yeah I found out they're worth abit of money after my last one broke, someone offered me £15 for it, which I took. It was only after I found out I would've got more weighing it in.  Where's the best place to take it then, scrap yard or should I try ebay first? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted July 13, 2011 Report Share Posted July 13, 2011 Have the last MOT emission results at hand to prove the cat's working. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted July 13, 2011 Author Report Share Posted July 13, 2011 That'll be difficult, the printer hasn't worked for the last 3 years!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted July 14, 2011 Report Share Posted July 14, 2011 That's naughty because i thought you and VOSSA had to have a copy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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