GS - 2nd Gen (1998-2005) Discussion about the second generation GS300, GS400 and GS430 (1998 - 2005)

alternator broke of engine block!

Old 07-27-11, 06:07 PM
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chris6878
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Default alternator broke of engine block!

So the wife was driving my 01 gs 300 when she said the wheel locked up, the car started overheating, and battery light came one. she immediately pulled over. I had the car towed to my mechanic. He checked it out and said the alternator broke off the engine block. He showed it to me and it was broke. Has anyone heard of this before?

The only options he suggested was to weld it back on and hope i dont get any issues or get a new engine. Talked to the welding guy and he said he didnt want to take any chances with the welding. Didnt wanna be liable. So what do yall suggest? Should I just sell it for what i can get or try to get it fixed?

Car has 160k and the engine had 110k. Car is in great shape overall.

Thanks for your feedback.
Old 07-27-11, 06:10 PM
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Mr Jokster
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Depends on what broke and how it broke? I believe a good welder can fabricate new bolt holes on the block (which I'm assuming is what broke off) so you can mount the alternator back on. However, as you said, not sure if a mechanic is willing to do the work do to liability; unless of course a job like that is simple and not a liability thing. I wouldnt weld the alternator itself to the block though, thats a bad idea.


and please thank your wife for being smart and pulling over when it overheated too many people on here Love to drive with their car overheating LoL

Last edited by Mr Jokster; 07-28-11 at 12:31 AM.
Old 07-27-11, 07:18 PM
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Mounting bolts were not on tight.
Old 07-27-11, 09:55 PM
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chris6878
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Yea Im glad she was smart enough to not try and make it home.

So do you guys thank I should pursue getting it fixed or cut my losses and sell it. I will be replacing it with another gs. Thanks
Old 07-27-11, 10:02 PM
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ThomasGS4
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A picture is worth a thousand words.
Old 07-27-11, 10:24 PM
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vwynn
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time to swap a 2jzgte
Old 07-28-11, 12:32 AM
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Mr Jokster
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Depending on cost, it may be worth a shot at fixing it before getting rid of it, but get some true professional opinions on the integrity of such a fabrication.
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Old 07-28-11, 09:16 AM
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starfyrels
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post up some pictures.

where in fl are you, if you have a 300 i'm interested in buying it off of you.
Old 07-28-11, 10:12 AM
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99 GS3
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Problem being that welding cast iron is not as straight forward and welding other metals. To take properly the cast needs to be preheated with a torch and then takes skillful welding with experience in cast to do it right.

The location of it with the motor in the car is not much room to work in, and there is alot of other stuff to overheat/melt in the area. And there also is alot of force on the pulley from the belt tensioner that if the welds don't take properly it is likely to snap off again due to the torque from the motor and tension of the pulley..

Defiantly a very rare occurrence, but like mentioned above if the mounting bolts were loose it could cause play with eventually could break the mounts. I would think it would break or eat a belt first but anything is possible.

Did you have the alternator replaced or removed ever?

a pic would be interesting to see.
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Old 07-28-11, 10:26 AM
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chris6878
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^^^^ you said exactly what my mechanic was telling me. Im gonna take a pic of it later today for yall. I stay in south florida. hollywood starfyrels. What is the price of a new engine running?
Old 07-28-11, 10:31 AM
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99 GS3
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GE's should not be extremely expensive, too bad your in florida I have a GE for sale that's sitting in my garage that ran perfect before I pulled it to put in the Aristo motor.

Last edited by 99 GS3; 07-28-11 at 10:34 AM.
Old 07-28-11, 10:33 AM
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99 GS3
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Actually I will be in Atlanta from the 30th to the 5th and could take it with me in the truck if you were close enough to drive up and met me there to grab it..
Old 07-28-11, 10:34 AM
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silly me... thinking the block was Aluminum
Old 07-28-11, 10:36 AM
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^^ The V8 is aluminum..
Old 07-28-11, 10:49 AM
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Originally Posted by 99 GS3
^^ The V8 is aluminum..
ah yes, I knew there was some precedence

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