[Farkyard]

G'day guys. Haven't been active on the forum for awhile so I apologise, but I know you're a good bunch of blokes and you will forgive me and there might be some advice out there. I had an alternator let go on me (at least that's what I was told had happened due to build up of crap in it) about three months ago and reconditioned one put in. Have just done a trip to Sandy Cape (I will post some pictures in that thread) and appear to have the same issue again. Couple of questions. I know it's not a submarine but they appear not to be overly robust. It had only done two trips where there was any chance of crap getting in again and the original had done a shitload more. Are they just prone to dying with any sort of immersion? What can I do to minimize/prevent issues with crossings in the futiure? Some have talked of spraying a bit of the old wd40 around after each crossing or maybe it's before. There's a lot of talk re doing the falcon alternator conversion. Anyone done on an XL7 and are we doing this simply to upgrade output or are they more robust as well? Cheers muchly in advance for your wealth of knowledge.

[GeckoXL7]

The xl7 alternator as far as I know talks to the ecu so don't know about going to a falcon alternator.

Mine almost went at going through salt water but just tiped hot water on it and spraid with wd40 and it came alright.

I think there a 130 amper too

[GeckoXL7]

Or 95 amper will have to go back to the manual

[Farkyard]

Cheers Gecko. I didn't think about the Ecu thing Problem for me down here is everything involves water or mud! It's gonna get bloody pricey doin one every time I head out!

[GeckoXL7]

Yeah I'm not to sure about what would happen if use generic doubt much but the ecu does control how much amps it' puts out .

I only had issue going through a water crossing that was salt water mud hasn't been a problem but I usually soak the alternator in wd40 once in a while and hadn't done it before the salt water crossing. Second time I whey across it didn't play up but first time I thought I killed it as was squeeling and light came on.

Would be good if can shield it better.

Can get them quite cheap from the US.

[Farkyard]

Update: Alternator replaced under warranty. Nowhere near as noisy as last one had been so I reckon it was on way out from the start. They didn't tell me what the issue was. I was just happy to get the new one free of charge. Fingers crossed.

[Abraxix]

i'll be abrupt. I havn't even really studied what's under my bonnet in great depth. though i'm sure that some bash plating would provide some sort of "buffer" from mud??

water not so much maybe invest in one of the Car Bra's ??

[fordem]

What year XL-7 is this - up to 2002 (at least), the XL-7 used a conventional (ie, non ECU controlled) alternator.

[Farkyard]

2002 model. I will keep that in mind then. Working on a cunning plan for some better shielding.

[magnat]

The Biggest Problem XL-7 owners face IS keeping mud out of the Airconditioner compressor and the Alternator.. I cannot understand why they mounted them so low!

The Bash Plate I have fitted seems to be keeping alot more mud OUT of the engine bay but its useless when it comes to creek crossings..
The only thing I do is when I am back home from the mud runs is to get it up on ramps and hit the underside with the Karcher.. Get what ever mud you can out..

[Farkyard]

I agree magnat. They are in a bastard of a spot for immersion and their position also makes Em a prick to get at to fix. The other issue I'm wondering about due to their positioning is how hot they get. The alternator in particular is smack bang next to the exhaust and the sudden change in temp when hitting the drink can't be good. My cunning plan may simply at this point be to get a bash plate but one of the areas at this point is a gap between the xrox bar and the driver side chassis rail where it is one of the few places the water gets straight in without impedance. Something to block that may help slightly on both sides.

[murcod]

fordem wrote:

What year XL-7 is this - up to 2002 (at least), the XL-7 used a conventional (ie, non ECU controlled) alternator.

Hi, can anyone verify this bit - about the later model >2003 XL-7's having a different alternator?

I suspect the alternator on the wife's 2004 model is on the way out. It's struggling to charge the battery with the A/C on flat out and it's having other electrical issues. A spare battery revealed the voltage dropping when the A/C is on and engine idling.