Pre-Flight Inspection (Alternator)
No, not flight judging.
A couple of weeks ago the weather broke and we had a few days without rain and it was somewhat warm. I realized that soon the snow would lock The Beast away in hibernation until sometime around next May, so I decided it was time to take the vette to work again.
The drive to work was the normal sunrise dash on the delightfully twisty roads through the rolling vineyards followed by a screaming run down the Autobahn while mercilessly attempting to stomp the accelerator pedal through the floorboard. Life was good.
After work I was letting the car idle up to temp (you can be ticketed for idling more than 30 seconds off base) since I do not like to abuse a cold engine. While being serenaded by that sweet V8 rumble (still no solid lifter noise after adjusting using Duke's method 2 1/2 years ago) I casually started my customary pre-flight inspection prior to resuming my reign of terror on the autobahn. No leaks, funny noises, things out of place, etc. I was enjoying a pre-launch cigarette while I waited for the engine to finish warming up anticipating the run to come. That was when one of the voices in my head started trying to tell me that something was wrong. I shut him up with a derisive snarl, but did take a quick glance back at the engine compartment. Then I saw it.
Picture attached.
I shut off the engine and basically ran around in circles for 30 minutes in various states of disbelief, rage and embarrassment. Once I got my focus back, I took a closer look and all 4 housing bolts were gone without a trace. No broken pieces left, nothing. Internally one of the brushes was mangled and the other in sad shape. When the bolts actually fell out I have no idea, but I think that hopping over 2 large speed bumps coming in to work probably finished knocking it loose.
I disconnected the battery, removed the wire harness, taped and stowed the wires and plunked the back half of the alternator onto the passenger seat. I knew the battery had enough juice since I had charged it all the way up the night before since my landlord won't let me keep a trickle charger on it. After that I proceeded to re-perform my pre-flight inspection while actually paying attention this time. I knew the run home was probably going to be my last for the year, so I made the most of it. I still had over 12V when I got home. I will charge the battery back up to go fill the tank with gas for the long winter sleep and I will be done until late next spring. In the meantime it looks like it is time to send a package to good Mr. Pirkle.
A couple of weeks ago the weather broke and we had a few days without rain and it was somewhat warm. I realized that soon the snow would lock The Beast away in hibernation until sometime around next May, so I decided it was time to take the vette to work again.
The drive to work was the normal sunrise dash on the delightfully twisty roads through the rolling vineyards followed by a screaming run down the Autobahn while mercilessly attempting to stomp the accelerator pedal through the floorboard. Life was good.
After work I was letting the car idle up to temp (you can be ticketed for idling more than 30 seconds off base) since I do not like to abuse a cold engine. While being serenaded by that sweet V8 rumble (still no solid lifter noise after adjusting using Duke's method 2 1/2 years ago) I casually started my customary pre-flight inspection prior to resuming my reign of terror on the autobahn. No leaks, funny noises, things out of place, etc. I was enjoying a pre-launch cigarette while I waited for the engine to finish warming up anticipating the run to come. That was when one of the voices in my head started trying to tell me that something was wrong. I shut him up with a derisive snarl, but did take a quick glance back at the engine compartment. Then I saw it.
Picture attached.I shut off the engine and basically ran around in circles for 30 minutes in various states of disbelief, rage and embarrassment. Once I got my focus back, I took a closer look and all 4 housing bolts were gone without a trace. No broken pieces left, nothing. Internally one of the brushes was mangled and the other in sad shape. When the bolts actually fell out I have no idea, but I think that hopping over 2 large speed bumps coming in to work probably finished knocking it loose.
I disconnected the battery, removed the wire harness, taped and stowed the wires and plunked the back half of the alternator onto the passenger seat. I knew the battery had enough juice since I had charged it all the way up the night before since my landlord won't let me keep a trickle charger on it. After that I proceeded to re-perform my pre-flight inspection while actually paying attention this time. I knew the run home was probably going to be my last for the year, so I made the most of it. I still had over 12V when I got home. I will charge the battery back up to go fill the tank with gas for the long winter sleep and I will be done until late next spring. In the meantime it looks like it is time to send a package to good Mr. Pirkle.
Comment