New L series owner.

Yeah all of my warning lights came on when the alternator died - but mine died in a really big way after 400,000km of service.

I'm still going to put my money on the alternator dieing. Swap it and you should find that your warning lights will go out and your problems (in that area) will no longer persist.

Cheers

Bennie
 
Any idea what an Alternator is going to set me back?

I'm assuming second hand - can you get them new?

Straight forward swap?

Is there a Haynes/Gregories manual for these cars?
 
Dunno how much an alternator will damage your wallet. I'm sure you can still get them new - it will be aftermarket though (at least the cheapest unit will).

The swap should be a "plug and play" application so to speak. If not you've got the wrong unit. The part number should be on the bottom of the unit, handy I know. There will be a sticker down there that should spell it out to you.

Yep for the manuals too - both do one, both are from the same company, both are pretty hopeless if you're after indepth info... go figure.

Cheers

Bennie
 
El Freddo, you were correct.

Got an alternater for $90 - installation was only $35 and they gave me a loan car.

Not bad at all.

Dash lights out now!

Tappet taps a fair bit - seems to be tapping more often than not.

In a few weeks I have a 2500km weekend trip planned - fingers crossed for the old girl making it!
 
Good to hear you're gradually working your way through the problems. All of them are VERY common and the guys you've already had answering your queries are experienced and knowledgeable fellows too.

The old classic noisy lifters is due to their hydraulic operation and they do need consistent oil pressure for them to work quietly. Even though the noise is disconcerting they aren't actually wearing out as they do this or doing anything incorrectly for your engine so you don't have to worry about that so much as just the racket they make. Fixes: 1) as said before, keep the engine oil level up 2) make sure you have correct grade oil and don't change to a thicker oil even if it's got 400,000k's on it. It will be sensitive if it's too thin (15W30) or too thick (oils designed for "higher mileage" engines). Change the oil filter regularly too to get rid of contaminants 3) use a 'noisy lifter' oil additive (they often actually work) 5) take the lifter springs out and recondition them (compressing and then stretching them out so they push the lifter solidly) and finally 6) most expensive option - replace the oil pump and gasket (often the gasket is all that needs replacing but it's still a big job to do it as lots of other parts have to come off to get to it.
 
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