Alternator Pulley sheared off!?! - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

Quadcammer · 01-10-2018, 04:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Geof3

Um, no. That is not normal. But, from the looks of it, that thing was rusted badly. I can't believe it wasn't making some crazy howling noises. All the red stuff is rust. That pully was seized. The $100,000,000 question is why was it so rusty in the first place? That requires moisture, which there shouldn't be much of in that part of the engine compartment. If I were you, replace the alt and EVERY other rotating thing on the engine, to include the water pump, idler pullies, even possibly the power steering pump. It is possible every one of these items has rust, which is bad. At the very least, closely inspect all of these for ANY sign of rust and replace as necessary.

You seemingly have no clue what you're talking about

Quote:

Originally Posted by JFP in PA

That pulley is completely normal. It is a declutching style pulley, the only thing missing is the snap on plastic from cover, which is decorative:

If the alternator is not making ratcheting sounds, put a new belt on it and you are done.

Scroll down to the next pic.

78F350 · 01-10-2018, 05:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quadcammer

...Scroll down to the next pic.

The next pic:

kk2002s · 01-10-2018, 05:35 AM

Seems the alternator clutch pulley seized
It looks like you can buy just the alternator clutch pulley for around $40
That does seem odd that much rust is up there. Maybe the water pump is leaking onto the belt?
Don't think you need to immediately jump to replacing all spinning things BUT you should spin and listen to see if any others are coming to their end of life

You may want to replace the belt as well

Brian in Tucson · 01-10-2018, 06:38 AM

If the alt. clutch had seized, wouldn't the alternator still turn? Does the alternator turn easily and smoothly?

I don't think I'd buy a new alt. clutch before I answered these questions. More likely I'd look for a reman'd alternator. And check out the operation of all the other rotating thingies on the front of the engine.

Geof3 · 01-10-2018, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quadcammer

You seemingly have no clue what you're talking about

Scroll down to the next pic.

You guys obviously didn't see the pic where the pully was sheared clean off the spool? I am fully aware the pully is a clutch type.

And where would "red dust" come from? Other than a rusted/worn bearing/surface? That pully is NOT normal. Sorry.

As mentioned, the pully is replaceable with a special tool. If there are no further signs of corrosion or otherwise, it should be fine. (though thstone's advice is spot on)

JFP in PA · 01-11-2018, 01:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Geof3

You guys obviously didn't see the pic where the pully was sheared clean off the spool? I am fully aware the pully is a clutch type.

And where would "red dust" come from? Other than a rusted/worn bearing/surface? That pully is NOT normal. Sorry.

As mentioned, the pully is replaceable with a special tool. If there are no further signs of corrosion or otherwise, it should be fine. (though thstone's advice is spot on)

Sorry, but we see about 20 or so that look like this every week and they are both serviceable and completely normal (OP's original photo):

They all throw some red dust, which is probably why Porsche put the plastic cover on them in the first place.......

Geof3 · 01-11-2018, 02:25 PM

JFP, have you still not seen the picture with the pulley sitting in his hand? The pulley sheared off the spindle. The race is actually broken. You are only looking at the first picture...

JFP in PA · 01-11-2018, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Geof3

JFP, have you still not seen the picture with the pulley sitting in his hand? The pulley sheared off the spindle. The race is actually broken. You are only looking at the first picture...

I was under the impression that the one being held in a hand is not by the original poster, it is from someone else, but if that is the OP's pulley, then it has failed.

That doesn't change the question about the pulley's emitting some rust, they all do that to varying degrees.

78F350 · 01-11-2018, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JFP in PA

I was under the impression that the one being held in a hand is not by the original poster, it is from someone else, but if that is the OP's pulley, then it has failed..

I reposted a screen shot of the subsequent images so I wouldn't make the thread unreadable with a SUPER SIZED IMAGE.

Thanks for all you do, but in this case, I think you missed it originally.