Xsara Picasso Starter / alternator change Hahahaha!

Post by **captainkephart** » 20 Apr 2021, 17:54

Hi All,
[Just a fun rant really]

Anyone tried to change the alternator or starter on the 1.6 petrol Xsara Picasso?
As John McEnroe said "You can't be serious!!!" ...

Haha, which designer thought this one up! I can see them thinking like this:
- Let's see, now easiest to get at should be for the owner (oil, water, screenwash) ... Tick, done.

- Next easiest should be the servicing items (filters, plugs etc) ... OK, fairly good, tick, done.

- Next should be those items replaced at n-thousand miles. Oh oh, this isnt quite right, 'fan belt' (have to take a wheel off); water thermostat (which is two bolts on the old mini, fairly tricky, and why do you have to replace the whole housing for £90?).

Mmm that's all too easy. Of course, the alternator! Lets make that a two hour job dismantling the front of the car and then there's not enough space to get it out unless you remove the catalytic converter as well! Take that DIY mechanic! Now try to refit it it!

Not enough pain for you yet. Go on, try to get the starter motor out - got your pet octopus handy? You'll need it!

I agree, they can't be serious! Must have been a design team that hated each other:
"I'm putting my power steering pump here. Paf!"
"Mai non! C'est right in the way of mon alternateur"
"Mon dieu, you want everything your own way, why can't you put it at the back of the engine?"
"Stupide, that's where they've already put the starter moteur!"
"Quoi? Incroyable!"

Take care, Captain K

wheeler · Post by **wheeler** » 20 Apr 2021, 18:06

It could be worse, you could have the older shape Mercedes A class where the engine needs to be removed to change the starter motor

Post by **GiveMeABreak** » 20 Apr 2021, 18:11

'A' Class? That's an easy one - just take a spin on the magic roundabout at Swindon, then it will topple over and bingo.

Post by **captainkephart** » 20 Apr 2021, 18:30

Aha! So that's how you get the engine out ...
I've always wondered what I've been doing wrong

Hell Razor5543 · Post by **Hell Razor5543** » 20 Apr 2021, 21:03

And then take a Xantia Activa around the same roundabout, and watch the other drivers jaws drop in sheer wonderment.

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