Should my Alternator look like this?

[JohnnyGraphic]

Hello fellow ZHP mafioso!

Been having a problem with my beloved Imola ZHP. The last few days, my red battery light would come on about a minute after initial start. It would stay on for a few minutes and then go away. I did the on board test. The Onboard computer reads 12.2/12.3 with the engine off and 13.9/14.0 at idle. When the battery light comes on, it reads much lower. In the 11’s if I recall.

I know my power steering reservoir has a slight leak which is right above my alternator. So, I’m wondering if my alternator should look like this, copper and carbon fouling colored?
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171224/a2f896505f627a30413d3a84cb5095d3.jpg

I did replace the reservoir cap and cleaned it up as best I could, but wanted to see if this is normal.

Sorry for the long post.

Thanks in advance.

[Oli77]

Looks like mine. The copper wires have black carbon deposit on them.

How old is your battery?

[JohnnyGraphic]

Looks like mine. The copper wires have black carbon deposit on them.

How old is your battery?

Battery is about a year and a half old. Very new. Maybe 5k miles on it? Doesn’t get driven much mostly in town driving. Total of 140k on the odo.

I’m really hoping the new PS cap will do the trick.

[JohnnyGraphic]

And, any way to figure out what alternator I have? Bosch? 90V/120V/150V??? Thanks again for all of your help!

[danewilson77]

Could the serp belt be slipping?

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[ZHPizza]

And, any way to figure out what alternator I have? Bosch? 90V/120V/150V??? Thanks again for all of your help!Look at the backside with a mirror and you'll likely see a Bosch emblem. I'm not sure what the Valeos look like, but I believe it's obvious.

[JohnnyGraphic]

Could the serp belt be slipping?

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It shouldn't be slipping. I did a coolant system overhaul not too long ago with all BMW parts. The tensioners and belts are all new. I've torn into it a bit more and pulled the belts cuz I wanted to be sure and the belts look fine. There's nothing abnormal about them that I can tell anyway. Any other tell-tale signs?


Look at the backside with a mirror and you'll likely see a Bosch emblem. I'm not sure what the Valeos look like, but I believe it's obvious.

I used my iPhone and shoved it down there and took a video. It's a 120V Bosch unit. They're about $265 at ECS for a remanufactured one ($70 core). Is this a fair price for one?

Thinking I should just go ahead and replace my power steering pump while I'm at it. The fluid looked kinda nasty. Not like it did the last time I did a flush.

Do the hoses fail typically? It looks like the cap is either leaking or too much gunk is blocking the filter and there's too much pressure causing the fluid to leak out. One hose was a lot more gunky than the other. Any thoughts? Suggestions?

Thanks again!

[ZHPizza]

Definitely wipe everything down and try to locate the leak. The PS reservoir tends to leak from three places:

1. The hose connections as they deteriorate. I actually just tightened the hose clamps a half turn and they've been fine since.

2. The cap seal gets brittle and leaks. I'm guessing that was replaced with the new cap.

3. There is a breather hole in the cap that some fluid can spray out of when you're pushing the system. The 'sock mod' is a popular way to deal with it. I stuffed a bit of q tip cotton in the hole to help catch the airborne droplets.

[JohnnyGraphic]

Definitely wipe everything down and try to locate the leak. The PS reservoir tends to leak from three places:

1. The hose connections as they deteriorate. I actually just tightened the hose clamps a half turn and they've been fine since.

2. The cap seal gets brittle and leaks. I'm guessing that was replaced with the new cap.

3. There is a breather hole in the cap that some fluid can spray out of when you're pushing the system. The 'sock mod' is a popular way to deal with it. I stuffed a bit of q tip cotton in the hole to help catch the airborne droplets.

Thanks!! I miss get as well replace the PS reservoir. It’s only $23. I’ll just need to get the hose clamps and atf fluid.

Still on the fence with the alternator though. It doesn’t look too hard to do right? Expense is holding me back.

[ZHPizza]

I wouldn't bother changing out the reservoir as it should be fine. It's the hoses themselves that deteriorate over time. Just clean everything up, make sure the clamps are tight, and keep an eye on it to see where it leaks from.

AutoZone etc can test your alternator in the car. They're pretty easy to remove too, but definitely test it before looking into replacement.

[JohnnyGraphic]

I wouldn't bother changing out the reservoir as it should be fine. It's the hoses themselves that deteriorate over time. Just clean everything up, make sure the clamps are tight, and keep an eye on it to see where it leaks from.

AutoZone etc can test your alternator in the car. They're pretty easy to remove too, but definitely test it before looking into replacement.

Thanks!

I just ordered the alternator, the reservoir + the kidney grills. The clips have finally given out. My car is starting to show it's age. I really love this car and I am hoping to hit at least 200k, so I'm in it for the long haul. Quite a few years left in that ole car. Paying for it now is better than waiting for it to fail and leave me stranded on the side of the road. Peace of mind too.

Anyways thanks again all!

[Newjack]

Could the serp belt be slipping?

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200 IQ post


OP my alternator looks just like yours. ZHPizza is right about the power steering hoses. One of mine busted one day and I had power steering fluid all over the place. Drove it to my mechanic and they replaced the line and the pump (driving the car without fluid in the pump can cause it to fail prematurely). I didn't do a good enough job wiping out the power steering fluid as it leaked onto the lower heater return hose connected to my expansion tank. That recently ruptured and left me with coolant issues.

Replace hoses and you should be fine. Definitely cheaper than having to replace a pump prematurely.

[kayger12]

Thanks!

I just ordered the alternator, the reservoir + the kidney grills. The clips have finally given out. My car is starting to show it's age. I really love this car and I am hoping to hit at least 200k, so I'm in it for the long haul. Quite a few years left in that ole car. Paying for it now is better than waiting for it to fail and leave me stranded on the side of the road. Peace of mind too.

Anyways thanks again all!

Good call on the new reservoir. It's worth noting as we get up in mileage that there is a non-replaceable filter in the reservoir that can get junked up over time and cause issues.

If you haven't done it yet, might want to consider an oil filter housing gasket while you're in there with the PS reservoir and alternator out.

[JohnnyGraphic]

Good call on the new reservoir. It's worth noting as we get up in mileage that there is a non-replaceable filter in the reservoir that can get junked up over time and cause issues.

If you haven't done it yet, might want to consider an oil filter housing gasket while you're in there with the PS reservoir and alternator out.

Thanks Kayger. This will be the first time replacing the PS reservoir. Although I’ve flushed a few times, I’m sure the fluid is quite nasty. The OFHG was replaced a few years ago. Should be good.

It’ll be a busy weekend next week once my parts get here.

[JohnnyGraphic]

Oh, and a set of hoses also on order! Much appreciated guys!

[kayger12]

Thanks Kayger. This will be the first time replacing the PS reservoir. Although I’ve flushed a few times, I’m sure the fluid is quite nasty. The OFHG was replaced a few years ago. Should be good.

It’ll be a busy weekend next week once my parts get here.

:thumbup:roundel

[JohnnyGraphic]

Going all-in and ordering a new PS pump too since the impeller has a history of shearing off similar to the water pump. Man was it an expensive weekend!