Thread: 1,300kms from home and no alternator

I just wanted to reply to this thread again and highlight my original post #24 on the previous page. It got posted out of order for some reason (i think held up with a moderator) and I just wanted to make sure my appreciation for Tim’s help is out there.

Originally Posted by 441

Does anyone have advice or links to a good place to go and review ‘how to’ replace the alternator? It’s sounds like something I should do some homework on prior to heading out bush in my older D4.

YouTube is your friend for almost any job just have to be aware most USA videos reference the V8 petrol engine.

This is 2.7 but close enough for 3.0

DISCOVERY 3 LR3 ALTERNATOR REPLACEMENT - YouTube

Appreciate this thread. My D4 is due to get Timing belts done by my local Indie in March. I spoke to him about his opinion of the longevity of the alternator, whether to replace it and how easy was it to do "on the track" if needed. He said, yes, good to replace at about my distance (155,000km). He only uses Denso units. ($600 something).

As far as doing a track side replacement if needed, he reckoned it would be very difficult. He said that he needs to access not only under bonnet but also have to take a wheel off and through wheel arch area. This sounded to me like having to use stands or hoist as well.

Needless to say, I made decision to get alternator done at same time as belts.

Originally Posted by Briar

Appreciate this thread. My D4 is due to get Timing belts done by my local Indie in March. I spoke to him about his opinion of the longevity of the alternator, whether to replace it and how easy was it to do "on the track" if needed. He said, yes, good to replace at about my distance (155,000km). He only uses Denso units. ($600 something).

As far as doing a track side replacement if needed, he reckoned it would be very difficult. He said that he needs to access not only under bonnet but also have to take a wheel off and through wheel arch area. This sounded to me like having to use stands or hoist as well.

Needless to say, I made decision to get alternator done at same time as belts.

And water pump and plastic hose connectors also. A no brainer.

Originally Posted by PerthDisco

And water pump and plastic hose connectors also. A no brainer.

That was done about 2 years back. Alloy one now.

Still to do water pump, i call BS on having to take the wheel off to do the alternator. Its one of the easier changeouts to do, however in typical LR fashion, they've made the cable to the alternator about 5mm long and routed in the worst possible way, so its a real pita to get off and refit. All access is from underneath.

Originally Posted by Eric SDV6SE

Still to do water pump, i call BS on having to take the wheel off to do the alternator. Its one of the easier changeouts to do, however in typical LR fashion, they've made the cable to the alternator about 5mm long and routed in the worst possible way, so its a real pita to get off and refit. All access is from underneath.

Hi Eric

You may be right about the wheel. Don't want to verbal my Indie. He didn't actually say about taking the wheel off but that was my take on what he said as he said something about working underneath near wheel arch to do alternator. Just my assumption about wheel off. However, he did say it was not something easy to do on the track.

On a second note, you may know. What about replacing the Oil pump as well. I'm sure that I've read somewhere about inconsistent oil flow having an impact on the bearing/ crank issue. Is the oil pump easy enough to replace when doing belts as well?

Sorry Briar, no idea on the oil pump, others on here with far more knowledge will know.