Hello! I just had my timing belt done a few weeks ago. My alternator suddenly died the other day, it was replaced about a year and a half ago. Mechanic said it failed prematurely because he found the power steering hose was leaking on to it. How likely is the leaking hose related to the timing belt being replaced? I have a 2016 with 103k miles on it. We also had an issue right when we got it back where it was intermittently turning off but the mechanic checked everything they did and only found the intake hose was torn, didn't have the issue again. But was curious of your thoughts on this since it happened soon after replacing the timing belt. I don't know much about cars lol
Alternator died after timing belt replacement
Newbie723
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Hello! I just had my timing belt done a few weeks ago. My alternator suddenly died the other day, it was replaced about a year and a half ago. Mechanic said it failed prematurely because he found the power steering hose was leaking on to it. How likely is the leaking hose related to the timing belt being replaced? I have a 2016 with 103k miles on it. We also had an issue right when we got it back where it was intermittently turning off but the mechanic checked everything they did and only found the intake hose was torn, didn't have the issue again. But was curious of your thoughts on this since it happened soon after replacing the timing belt. I don't know much about cars lol
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Never heard of a power steering pump damage while timing belt work was being done.
That said, the front spool valve lives to leak on the alternators and kill them. How sure is that mechanic that it’s the power steering pump and not the soool valve?
That said, the front spool valve lives to leak on the alternators and kill them. How sure is that mechanic that it’s the power steering pump and not the soool valve?
Power steering pump and spool valve are in pretty close proximity. Neither are uncommon leak points, although spool valve is much more common. Clean the area and check for leaks from both spots.
Either way, I bet it is unrelated to timing belt job. Disable your VCM while you're at it if you haven't already. See VCM Mega Thread sticky post #1. https://www.odyclub.com/threads/pis...read-what-is-vcm-does-my-vehicle-have-it-whats-so-bad-about-it-and-more.364470/
Either way, I bet it is unrelated to timing belt job. Disable your VCM while you're at it if you haven't already. See VCM Mega Thread sticky post #1. https://www.odyclub.com/threads/pis...read-what-is-vcm-does-my-vehicle-have-it-whats-so-bad-about-it-and-more.364470/
Thank you for the reply! I didn't think to ask about anything else, honestly. He was confident it was the power steering hose and replaced it. His quote was it was wet with power steering fluid.
Thank you for your reply. I was just worried they may have done something when doing the timing belt. It sucks because both are very expensive, especially after already replacing the alternator about a year and a half ago. Yes, I have been reading about the VCM muzzler. I asked my Mechanic about it. He didn't have anything positive to say but the more I'm reading I'm thinking of getting one. Are you saying the point of leak is uncommon? Just curious.
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Nah...the PS hoses run aft, well away from the alternator.
The alternator failure was a coincidence.
What brand was the previous alternator? The new one? Rebuilt alternators never last as long as the original. Also, their time to failure is highly variable, from 0 days to many years.
PS pump leak is fairly common with age, but I've never heard of it killing the alternator. Spool valve leak is very common, and almost always kills the alternator if left unaddressed. They are close enough under the hood that if it's really dirty someone could mistake the source I suppose. You may have leaks at both places. Hard to say without a picture. This is their proximity under the hood.
As for the muzzler, just do it.
Honda's tend to be pretty sensitive about alternators and prefer Denso. If you start having electrical gremlins, swap it out for a Denso reman.
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+1 on getting a Denso on there and moving on from this problem.
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Watch out for word games when you shop.
"Remanufactured Denso" - anybody could have done the rebuild; bad parts could have been replaced with junk.
"Remanufactured by Denso" - Denso did the rebuild; bad parts were replaced with new Denso ones.
this happened to me so...got vehicle back from body shop, after Driving about 10 miles, the alternator died. When I checked the battery cables, they were not tightened at all. Alternators don't like it when you disconnect the battery while they are charging it. Your situation may be or have been, completely different.
The spool valve leaking onto the alternator is so common there is a Honda service bulletin on it:
If you do find it leaking and are having a non dealer mechanic replace it, make sure you print that out and give it to them. You have to buy the whole valve assembly to do the fix, you only use the top half, new gasket, and the new bolts. Replacing the bottom is complicated, expensive, and unnecessary.
Mechanics rarely approve of aftermarket devices attached to engines. There have been far too many snake oil claims associated with them. You will have to do it yourself. There are YouTube videos. It only requires a flat head screwdriver to install the simple one. For one of the self adjusting ones, a wire gets connected to the battery. You should only install these units on a stone cold engine. I have been using the original VCMTuner with the dial, that I left on the default, for several years and never see the ECO light. It has been into the dealer several times without a peep from them.
If you do find it leaking and are having a non dealer mechanic replace it, make sure you print that out and give it to them. You have to buy the whole valve assembly to do the fix, you only use the top half, new gasket, and the new bolts. Replacing the bottom is complicated, expensive, and unnecessary.
Mechanics rarely approve of aftermarket devices attached to engines. There have been far too many snake oil claims associated with them. You will have to do it yourself. There are YouTube videos. It only requires a flat head screwdriver to install the simple one. For one of the self adjusting ones, a wire gets connected to the battery. You should only install these units on a stone cold engine. I have been using the original VCMTuner with the dial, that I left on the default, for several years and never see the ECO light. It has been into the dealer several times without a peep from them.
This indeed happen to my 1997 honda accord, the steering wheel pump was leaking and gave my alternator a good bath and I ignored it.. But for Odyssey, this is not common. In my 2012 Odyssey, I have replaced my alternator 2x (1st because a mechanic ignored the spool valve leak, 2nd time, a honda trained mechanic fixed the spool valve leak then replaced the alternator. If you have head cover gasket leak, specially the front, can do the same damage too. My van is now 202K and did not have any problem since...Most recommend Denso alternators. Unfortunately, if you look at the Amp output of store branded alternators, they are not enough. Denso or reman has the right ouput.. however, Denso or not, they both die with oil dripping on them.. What I learned about spool valve job my mechanic did is also used Honda gasket maker before at the edges when assembling back the parts, in addition to that internal gasket. It last longer than the original one... I got the chance to rummage the junk yard of OEM Denso alternators, have them checked at Autozone for free, as my emergency back up..They cost $45 each. But its just me, an insurance just in case..
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