Do some of these model alternators have a break away clutch at the pulley in case this happens?

a really unscrupulous mechanic could have had a field day.

Three things that are rare...
1. good pizza.
2. loyalty.
3. honest mechanics.

Good to know, I never realized the 986 has a clutch on the alternator. Every one is quick to blame the ims, now that I think of it even the video I found sounds like a serpentine belt flapping around. I wonder how many mechanics have taken advantage of this.

So either BIG Jake is really happy right now, or a little down as he already had eyes on his next Boxster!

Glad to hear it was an easy fix.

Not all of them do. The units with a spray clutch seize only in the clockwise direction, the engine can still be rotated counter clockwise when these fail.

I've had cars shipped to me from 2000 miles away that were supposedly failed, and this was all that was wrong with them. I told one guy to remove the belt and try to start the engine; but, he was so convinced that it was blown up that he just sent the car anyway.

I fixed it in 45 minutes and called to tell him that he could save his 20K. he was so blown away that he spent 10K on performance and preventatives while the car was with us.

This failure fools lots of people. I bought a core engine for 500 bucks once, and all that was wrong with it was a failed alternator.

IIRC the Tiptronic cars don't have the overrun pulley clutch device. When mine was failing, a new one cost about 50% of the alternator price - but that's here in Australia. The US guys should be able to get the part much cheaper, though you do need a special removal tool to get the thing on / off.
Bosch Overrun Pulley part#535002510
INA alternative part #535002510

http://986forum.com/forums/uploads01...1431110139.jpg

:D