I was able to swap out the alternator without removing the air filter housing and the cooling fan from 2013 TDI. The hardest thing was unclipping the old alternator. Two screws removed easily, and don’t be surprised with the new alternator being loose. The screws will pull in the spacer, holding the alternator super tight once the screws placed. I’d recommend anyone scared to try it, not a huge pain to do.
This exact thing just happened to my 2015 TDI - cold weather - started engine, turned on max heat, heated seats and rear defrost - tonnes of smoke! Great video!
Just a handy note, you should mark your belt's direction when re-using it. Great video! These cars are packaged to the absolute max. I just replaced an EGR cooler on my 2006 Jetta and it was a test of patience.
Okay new alternator has arrived , fitted , but some reason I kept checking its temperature after the old one has caught on smoke and burnt down in the same way as yours , and unfortunatelly within 10-15 mins of idle running the engine , without turning any electronics on it has gone quite hot again not sure whats their operating temperature but I have turned the engine off straight away
I did mine yesterday and like the vw shop manual explains, I was able to remove it without removing the the electric fan, it was a bit of a pain but much easier then removing the fan
Just a side note the vw shop manual only has you remove the idler pulley the above alternator, the two intercooler lines in front of the alternator, and the air box, the alternator reluctantly comes out between the fan and engine, the only reason the air box is removed is to access the electrical connectors
Some beancounter teamed up with VAG engineers to make servicing so convoluted and complex that it would unnecessarily increase the the labour hours to make more money in their service department.
I was able to swap out the alternator without removing the air filter housing and the cooling fan from 2013 TDI. The hardest thing was unclipping the old alternator. Two screws removed easily, and don’t be surprised with the new alternator being loose. The screws will pull in the spacer, holding the alternator super tight once the screws placed. I’d recommend anyone scared to try it, not a huge pain to do.
Post it then.
This exact thing just happened to my 2015 TDI - cold weather - started engine, turned on max heat, heated seats and rear defrost - tonnes of smoke! Great video!
Just a handy note, you should mark your belt's direction when re-using it. Great video! These cars are packaged to the absolute max. I just replaced an EGR cooler on my 2006 Jetta and it was a test of patience.
Good tip! Thank you for adding.
Came here because same thing JUST happened to my ‘14 q5 tdi. Thanks for the video
Ive got a same age Touareg and exactly the same thing has just happend to me , your video is absolutely useful!! Thanks
Okay new alternator has arrived , fitted , but some reason I kept checking its temperature after the old one has caught on smoke and burnt down in the same way as yours , and unfortunatelly within 10-15 mins of idle running the engine , without turning any electronics on it has gone quite hot again not sure whats their operating temperature but I have turned the engine off straight away
Same car here I'm not sure if it's the batteries of the alt.
Really don't want to do this but love the car.
I did mine yesterday and like the vw shop manual explains, I was able to remove it without removing the the electric fan, it was a bit of a pain but much easier then removing the fan
Just a side note the vw shop manual only has you remove the idler pulley the above alternator, the two intercooler lines in front of the alternator, and the air box, the alternator reluctantly comes out between the fan and engine, the only reason the air box is removed is to access the electrical connectors
Great vid! How many miles on the odometer at time of replacement?
Is it the same for for the q5 tdi?
Some beancounter teamed up with VAG engineers to make servicing so convoluted and complex that it would unnecessarily increase the the labour hours to make more money in their service department.
which