any ideas?

heheshamon

I've got a problem and wondered if anyone knew the cause.

When i'm turning the steering wheel the lights dim as if it's loosing power I was thinking either the alternator or aux belt loose any one had this issue the car always starts on the button and it's sometimes left for a couple of days as I drive a van to work I only use it to ferry the family about.

Also any tips on exhaust manifold gasket removal is it best to warm the bolt's and plenty of rust ease don't want to snap a thread as had to get my 51 plate sri drilled and tapped.

Help appricated 😃

vocky

it can help to undo the bolts as the engine cools down, but it will depend on how badly rusted they are

MikeS

for the zaust manifold i would remove the heat shield and let car warm up then wd40 the bolts and allow for car to cool down [few hours]

very easy to snap off the studs with alloy head

forget to add dont use socket and always use ring spanner and support the manifold when u take it off as it is quite easy to bend one of the studs and make it a right pain to get the manifold back on

in all honesty easier to remove inlet manifold and fuel rail than the zaust manifold

heheshamon

Thanks for the tips any ideas on the power issue i have noticed that the engine starts to struggle a bit also doesn't happen under acceleration though.

heheshamon

I think I've found the cause I did a service yesturday and changed the aux belt and there's now a bad whinning noise used a long pry bar to listen to the alternater and it seem's the bearings are on their way out.

Does anyone know if you can still get recon alternaters? on a swap basis there used to be a place close to me but with alot of smaller out fits thney have closed.

Is it a hard job as it looks like there's no room to get to it?

MikeS

Thanks for the tips any ideas on the power issue i have noticed that the engine starts to struggle a bit also doesn't happen under acceleration though.

warm or cold or both ?

heheshamon

The lights dim whatever but when cold it seems to be better as if the auto choke is putting the revs over the problem area.

There does seem alot of improvement since I did the service yesturday although I haven't been very far in it yet.

i changed the fuel filter which looked like the original and it doesn't vibrate when pulling off in 2nd any more and seems a little more responsive albeit it's a bit more thursty when you boot it.

What do you think about the alternator seem's connected in some way as the new belt will be a bit tighter and has increased the sound of the alterator bearings if it was on the way out would this not make the lights flicker when the steering is turned?

MikeS

if it is an astra / zafira it makes sense as it is electronic power steering and pulls a big load from the alternator

worth checking your tensioner is working properly by pushing down in the middle of the belt with a bar or broom as overtightened belt will kill alternators

you need to get a volt meter on the battery to see if it is;

holding charge when engine is turned off and staying above 11.5 volts
alternator is charging battery above 12.5 volts and i think daz said above 13 volts with electronic power steering

heheshamon

Seems like the dimming of the head lights is normal it's a vectra c http://www.vectra-c.com/forum/showthrea ... alternator

There's nothing at fault with the alternator just the bearings making a racket whinning noise.

More exspense! Is it best to take the inlet manifold off to get the alternator off as otherwise it looks like I'll have to drop the engine and I don't want to put anymore stress on the exhaust manifold already sounds badly like a diesel.