Dally Singh, Tech Manager, Autoelectro, urges technicians to avoid a fitting error that leads engine coolant to cause alternator drive belt slip. The issue affects Minis with 1.4 and 1.6 petrol engines (2001-2009) and all models featuring the W10 engine code (2003-onwards).
Alternator defect?
“After inspection by our team of technical experts, the cause of the problem was identified as coolant leakage.”
Several alternator replacements have been subject to warranty claims, but, after inspection by our team of technical experts, the cause of the problem was identified as coolant leakage rather than alternator defect.
Analysis revealed that when the original alternator was removed, the coolant hose close to the alternator wasn’t detached or moved into a safe position, causing the pipe to rub against the alternator mounting bolts and rupture. Consequently, this caused coolant to leak onto the alternator and drive belt, resulting in the drive belt slip and a charging fault/low charge fault.
Move the pipe
To avoid these unnecessary warranty issues, technicians must ensure the pipe is moved safely away from the mounting bolts when removing the component. If the pipe is damaged in the process, it must be replaced.
