alternator grease zerks?

busshawg · September 27, 2010, 08:41:29 AM

Good Morning
I have a 8V71N with a 5spd manual transmission, it is equipped with the original direct drive alternator. I seem to remember, BW I think mention that there are 2 grease zerks on the alternator. I can't seem to find them, anyone know where they are?

Thanks
Grant

luvrbus · September 27, 2010, 08:53:08 AM

There is not any grease zerks on a 50d gear driven the oil takes care of the lubrication

good luck

busshawg · September 27, 2010, 12:53:36 PM

perfect, thanks, that's what I had been thinking since I bought the bus, then I read something about it somewhere and second guessed myself

Thanks a bunch

buswarrior · September 27, 2010, 06:30:08 PM

Yes, the grease zerks are on the air-cooled alternators.

A small amount of grease to be applied, over doing it just leaks it all over the inside of the unit, hampering cooling and contributes to pre-mature failure.

The folks who rebuild them will predict a greasy mess inside of failed units.

Hand grease gun, leave the powered one for other stuff.

A careful juggling act between bearing lube and internal leakage.

happy coaching!
buswarrior

busshawg · September 28, 2010, 06:39:17 AM

Perfect, thanks. Ok here`s another question. Should a person be changing the sysem over to a belt driven alternator. I have also read that these gear driven ones can make an aweful mess if thy were to pile up. My thinking was that if the gear driven ones are good enough for teh bus lines they shoudl be good enough for me.

Grant

roadrunnertex · September 28, 2010, 05:39:42 PM

Sir,The 50DN gear driven oil cooled alternator is a very trouble free unit. I would not even think of doing a change over to a belt driven alternator.
I have a 50DN gear driven oil cooled alternator on my P8M4905A and it's been a trouble free unit for many years.
Another thought if it isn't broke why try to fix it!

jlv

busshawg · September 29, 2010, 06:39:39 AM

Thanks once again

buswarrior · September 29, 2010, 07:02:54 AM

Run what you brung.

happy coaching!
buswarrior

luvrbus · September 29, 2010, 07:14:32 AM

They do require maintenance I am trying to scan and post the info for that process, you just don't hang one on the engine and forget about it.
The 2 strokes have a special cam on that side of the engine to drive the alternator and a adjustment to keep the alternator on center.

good luck