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Timing Belt/Alternator trouble

  • 02-04-2009 10:36pm
    #1
    SMM
    Closed Accounts Posts: 96 ✭✭


    Hi,

    After much delay, I got the timing belt on my 00 seat ibiza done today. So I collected it and after driving about 20 miles, the red alternator light on the dash lights up. I figured it was associated with the belt so I carried on for about 20 more miles before stopping for petrol.
    When I tried to start the engine, I got nothing and the clock and radio were reset. After calling a breakdown service, they told me it was an alternator issue. Is this a fault of the garage that replaced the belt or is it an independent thing? Obviously know little about cars so any advice would be great!

    Thanks in advance


Comments

  • #2
    green123
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,703 ✭✭✭green123


    sounds like too much of a conincidence to me. surely the garages fault i would say.
    by the way how much did the timing belt job cost ?


  • #3
    SMM
    Closed Accounts Posts: 96 ✭✭SMM


    Thanks for the reply...

    Eh yeah the price is the slightly suspect thing, I paid a veeeery cheap 105 at main dealer for belt, tensioner and labour. I was told that sometimes (particularly VWs) the water pump also needs to be replaced but that with my make and model it doesn't. The water pump was checked anyway for leakage and was given the ok.


  • #4
    Anan1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 22,815 ✭✭✭✭Anan1


    The alternator belt and the timing belt are two separate things - did they replace just one, or both? In any case, for future reference a red warning light means stop immediately.


  • #5
    SMM
    Closed Accounts Posts: 96 ✭✭SMM


    Anan1 wrote: »
    The alternator belt and the timing belt are two separate things - did they replace just one, or both? In any case, for future reference a red warning light means stop immediately.

    Thanks - lesson learned I think! Only the timing belt was worked on, so the alternator belt was untouched. Just one thing, is a broken alternator belt as serious to the engine as a broken timing belt? Pretty clueless here!


  • #6
    green123
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,703 ✭✭✭green123


    his post seems pretty clear to me - he only got the timing job done but it looks like the garage somehow fcuked up his alternator


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  • #7
    Anan1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 22,815 ✭✭✭✭Anan1


    SMM wrote: »
    Thanks - lesson learned I think! Only the timing belt was worked on, so the alternator belt was untouched. Just one thing, is a broken alternator belt as serious to the engine as a broken timing belt? Pretty clueless here!
    No - a broken alternator belt only will flatten the battery, whereas a broken TB often means a new engine. That said, there's no way of us telling whether your alternator belt is loose, broken, or fine. Best advice is to bring it back to the garage - don't worry, it's most likely a cheap fix.


  • #8
    Darragh29
    Closed Accounts Posts: 7,097 ✭✭✭Darragh29


    Check that the alternator belt is actually present for a start! If it is, check if it is tight. The belt has to be removed to do the timing belt, but the alternator doesn't. Either the belt wasn't replaced or else it was and wasn't tentioned properly so it isn't turning the alternator. That's all that can be wrong I think, apart from a coincidental alternator end of life issue.


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