I just broke the fan housing strap!

[martidj]

I finished installing a new alternator and when I was tightening the fan housing strap bolt the strap cracked where the bolt is attached. The Bentley repair manual says to apply 18 ft/lb of torque. I did some research on this issue on the PP forum and found a thread that said to apply 6 ft/lb of torque. Now I have to replace the housing strap. From what I've read, the strap can be removed and replaced by taking out the distributor, I hope this is true. I don't want to have to disconnect the alternator from the housing.

[javadog]

8 Nm, or 5.9 ft-lbs. Sorry for your trouble.

This is why I don't recommend the Bentley manuals...

JR

[theiceman]

yup just the distributor

gotta unbend it though

[martidj]

Thanks for the information, javadog and iceman

[universeman]

I wonder if the 18 was a typo (8 vs 18)

[javadog]

Who knows? They'd have to have screwed up both the number and the units. Use a Bentley at your own risk...

JR

[john walker's workshop]

The oil pressure switch and A/C compressor are also in the way. When you slip the strap under the fan housing, it will hang up on the engine case. The end needs to be pushed down to clear the case. I'd pull the fan housing outward and tilt it into the engine cross-bar to aid in getting the strap through.

[porschenut]

The Bentley manual is extremely useful for procedures, but I ignore what it says for torque specs and other technical data. I use the factory manuals and the tech spec book for that info.

the Bentley wiring diagrams are not very useful either, and contain numerous errors. There is no substitute for the factory wiring diagrams.

[martidj]

Thanks for input and advise from fellow pelican members, especially professional John Walker. This was a stupid mistake on my part. I should have known better. Extra work and money. I hope I don't have to disconnect the wiring harness from the alternator.

[beren]

yikes! where do you get factory manuals and tech spec books?

[wrxnofx]

6 ft lbs of torque for a strap that holds the alternator, fan, and housing in place? That seems way too low, especially given the size.