Alternator Troubles

[Vernon]

I've had a look about for similar topics on this but cant seem to find anything.
Pulling off the campsite tonight our Betty suddenly started making a loud rattling noise, after a quick look it seems to be coming from the alternator. I'm assuming its charging as the light is off and the pulley seemed to be a little hot.
My big question is simlar to how long is a piece of string, how long will it last? We are on the Isle of Wight and have just over 200 miles to go tomorrow. I'm not superstitious but it is Friday the 13th!
Is there anywhere I can get one in Portsmouth or Southampton just in case?
Thank you

[R0B]

You could try partco.http://uk.local.yahoo.com/Hampshire/Por ... 32452.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Oldiebut goodie]

Engine?
Could well be water pump on it's last legs.

[itchyfeet]

Euro car parts is close to the southampton ferry only about 2miles
They are showing stock but not locally
I'm not 100% sure about sat but I think if you order early enough they get it down from the london warehouse

Which ferry are you getting pompey or soton and what times the ferry?

[Oldiebut goodie]

Isn't it better to diagnose where the noise is coming from exactly before throwing new alternators at it? As the alternator sits over the water pump I asked about it. Could also be that the adjustment bolt is loose on the alternator.
"Well sir, we will just put a new engine in as this one has a rattle and we can't be bothered to find where the noise is from."

[itchyfeet]

Alternator is other side from water pump on a dg/df
Vernon may know more about diagnostics than you give him credit for

[Vernon]

I'm pretty sure its not the water pump, ours is on the left of the crankshaft and the alternator on the right and the noise is definitely coming from there. I'm almost 100% its the alternator. We're coming over from Fishbourne to Portsmouth.
Had a look at the partco link and its not far from the docks, I'll give them a ring in the morning and ask the question, thanks Rob.

[Oldiebut goodie]

Alternator is other side from water pump on a dg/df
Vernon may know more about diagnostics than you give him credit for

He may know what engine he has - I certainly don't from the paucity of information given. Our Betty is not an engine that I have heard of. Hence the oft quoted response of ' put your vehicle details in your signature' so that we don't have to use a crystal ball and play silly guessing games and wasting time and bandwidth. His diagnostic skills may well be brilliant but he is starting with the basic information at his fingertips like what engine he is talking about - how are we to know? He hasn't stated what checks he has carried out, in fact stated the bare minimum.

[Vernon]

I do have basic knowledge but I am also new to all this engine malarky so not sure as yet the specific type but its times like this when you start to learn quickly. I didn't realise there was so many different types of engine, I will look into mine more closely.
And also after a slight panic comes a beer or two then you start to laugh about it and enjoy it coz there's bugger all you can do about it at seven o'clock on a Friday night
Thanks for all your help anyway

[itchyfeet]

Ok I agree you should give engine info when asking for help but I just clicked on the garage thingy and its there

[Oldiebut goodie]

The water pump is under the alternator on a diesel so which engine makes quite a difference to making a diagnosis.

[Vernon]

Its a 1.9 petrol so good chance its a dg or df. Just got the old haynes book out for some pre bed reading, not going outside in this weather!

[itchyfeet]

We all have the option of not clicking the post reply button if we don't see the necessary info

[Oldiebut goodie]

The required information was requested - cf my first post.

[Vernon]

Next time I post all relevant information
Thank you