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ZUKIWORLD Discussion Forum => Suzuki 4x4 Forum => Topic started by: barcus on July 17, 2007, 08:41:09 PM

Title: alternator blues
Post by: barcus on July 17, 2007, 08:41:09 PM

hi guys i recently broke another alternator. this usually happens a day or two after fording thru headlight-deep water. this is already the 3rd one i broke.

has anyone encountered a similar problem? any solution?

Title: Re: alternator blues
Post by: beercheck on July 17, 2007, 08:46:57 PM

Dunno on that, but unless you're running a snorkel, your air intake isn't much higher than your headlights.  Be careful or that alternator will be the least of your problems.

Title: Re: alternator blues
Post by: sidekicksrock on July 17, 2007, 10:10:40 PM

The easiest solution is to get a high quality alternator, (not one from autozone the rebuilders I have talked to will not touch a autozone rebuild, they say the components are junk) and take it to a local rebuilder tell him you sometimes get it wet. They can waterproof some of the internal components to make it last longer. when I was having this problem years ago I made a alt bracket for lil Suzy to attach a high amp GM single wire and I have not had to replace it since. Trail Tough sells the bracket for the conversion now.

Title: Re: alternator blues
Post by: Rhinoman on July 18, 2007, 04:45:59 AM

I had problems wading through dirty water. The brushes tend to get clogged up and stick. Cleaning them up and soaking them in WD40 helps. I tried packing them with petroleum jelly but then they stuck when the weather was cold. My brother suggested some waterproof grease as used on push bikes. but I've not tried it yet.
Thge bearings don't like wading but they seem to last a fair while, they just get noisier.

Title: Re: alternator blues
Post by: kingzoo on July 19, 2007, 02:38:27 PM

   Make a bracket to relocate the alternator to the top of the engine.It will solve most problems,and a quality alt will also help.