Dreaded alternator failiure, how much?

[Mr V10]

I just know mine is going to go on the tunnel on the way to the ring, with any luck the b*stard will die now.

[bilko1]

yeah that sucks... are there signs before it goes....

Well i had just had the car MOT'd (passed with flying colours ) popped to see a friend and when i started it up the red brake warning symbol lit up then went out so i carried on my way. When i pulled up outside my house the battery symbol light up and the gauge was showing about 10 volts. With hindsight i had a B6 tdi that would throw the red brake warning light on start up usually when it was very cold, that was due to low voltage and a known B6 fault

[bakustax]

Just got the car back from the Volks Centre up here in Aberdeen...£417 total for replacement alternator plus fitting...not too bad.
I managed to get the car out to the garage under it's own steam,after giving the battery a full charge...but it must have been the worst journey I've ever taken in any car!!... the dashboard lit up hardly any power and the volt meter dropping like a stone as I neared the garage...I needed a ...done now and another box in the long list of inevitable’s...ticked!!

[Ryan_Pestell]

mines booked in at audi tomorrow, as i have a very noisey, roller or power steering pump.

sounds like a fubar'd supercharged car.

any ideas?

where is power steering level check?

[Shoppinit]

Good job, bakustax, now get back to preparing the Eurovision please - we need to win.

Ryan, are you really asking what you appear to be asking? Or is it a trick question?

[Ryan_Pestell]

Not a trick question, genuine. Unsure where power steering tank is on these.

Whines like anything, especially when cold

[chunky79]

Not a trick question, genuine. Unsure where power steering tank is on these.

Whines like anything, especially when cold

Under the bonnet mate. If you have ever had the bonnet up before for not seeing it.
Easy to find, you will under stand when you get the bonnet up.
Ouch, just spotted your taking it to audi tomorrow.

[bilko1]

Well i did my alternator today, very easy job tbh 1 hour and 20 mins i had an assistant and made a call to Grizz. I forgot my camera / phone to do a how to as i borrowed a friends ramp and tools).

Basically disconnect battery, remove <beep> shield (undertray), 19mm spanner to release drive belt tension and slip belt off pulley, remove rubber intercooler pipe and the metal one it connects to (flat blade screwdriver and hex sockets required)
Next disconnect the 2 oil cooler pipes going to the oil filter housing (27mm spanner required and a hex socket for the mounting point) either let drain into a suitable container or better to blank off (saves topping up oil later)
Then undo a 13mm headed bolt (easy to get to) and a hex socket bolt, bit tricky with big hands that hold the alternator in place, the hex bolt is long and comes out easy but the alternator mount is slotted so you only have to pull it out a third of the way. You then gently lever the alternator with lever bar or suitable screwdriver until you can get to the 13mm nut holding the main power lead on the back and disconnect the small ind (warning light) connector. Alternator them comes out. Replacement is simply reverse of above.

My new TPS supplied alternator did not come with a pulley so you need a 22mm spanner and spline tool to remove this from the old unit, i could not find a torque setting for this nut so took Grizz's advice cheers mate

[Ross_T_Boss]

RS6 alternator needs replacing and I got a message from Audi today with a quote to replace it. 4 hours and alternator @ 480. Plus VAT = £1100. And a week's wait till they can take it in. I was expecting 6-800 and would have gone with that for convenience sake. MRC is my closest specialist but if the alternator goes I'm screwed... I could have a go and rely on my recovery service but it's not the time of year to get stuck on glos/oxon back roads really!

I may have a go with DIY - I've done everything with the RS2 but this big V8 is a bit intimidating... for those that have done this, would you say OEM Bosch unit is the way to go? I have a contact @ TPS so it's probably going to be 400-odd, fine with that.

[madi]

My brother changed the alternator on his rs6, took him 2 evenings as he works during the day and the cars a dream.

[bam_bam]

lol. Dream car...

[bakustax]

RS6 alternator needs replacing and I got a message from Audi today with a quote to replace it. 4 hours and alternator @ 480. Plus VAT = £1100. And a week's wait till they can take it in. I was expecting 6-800 and would have gone with that for convenience sake. MRC is my closest specialist but if the alternator goes I'm screwed... I could have a go and rely on my recovery service but it's not the time of year to get stuck on glos/oxon back roads really!

I may have a go with DIY - I've done everything with the RS2 but this big V8 is a bit intimidating... for those that have done this, would you say OEM Bosch unit is the way to go? I have a contact @ TPS so it's probably going to be 400-odd, fine with that.

Someones trying to fu*k you Chief...I've pulled the invoice for when I had mine changed.
Parts used:- Alternator 077903015RX...£272.64 plus VAT...Labour was 1.5 hours at £50 an hour

[bam_bam]

RS6 alternator needs replacing and I got a message from Audi today with a quote to replace it. 4 hours and alternator @ 480. Plus VAT = £1100. And a week's wait till they can take it in. I was expecting 6-800 and would have gone with that for convenience sake.

Wow, £1100! They're not even lubing you up, just going straight in dry... with a sprinkle of sand for good measure.

[Ross_T_Boss]

Yeah that's what I expected, and I'm not inlined to take a dry b*mming. I have a reasonably local VAG place that sort out mt Golf and have even been entrusted to work on the RS2 a few times. I'll be giving them a shout instead.

Any opinion on OEM vs ECP OE equivalent at 1/2 the price?? I tend to lean OEM but occasionally go with an ECP special when it's 1/2 the price and on par with quality....

[bam_bam]

...and I'm not inlined to take a dry b*mming.

Yeah, I've heard dry bumming can throw your ass out of alignment.

Any opinion on OEM vs ECP OE equivalent at 1/2 the price??

Usually it should be considered but with the alternator, it could be a false economy.