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Hi All,

I'm a newbie on this forum so apologies if this is not in the correct place.

I am looking for any guidance or help from someone who may have previously replaced an alternator on a 2011 1.6l TDI Caddy. My alternator is not working and am looking to do the replacement myself. I have tried looking on YouTube and other sites for 'how to' information, but am struggling to find any. I have managed to find it for most other VW engines, but am struggling for the Caddy, and the alternator appears to be awkwardly placed at the bottom of the engine bay unlike any of the others.

Any help would be much appreciated.

Cheers,
Ryan

I've not done one, but iirc, removing the wheel arch liner improves access.
And I think if you don't have AC, it will be a stretch belt

Alternator replacement is quite simple if you are mechanically knowledgable and suitably equipped.
The position isn't all that difficult to access once you get down to the job.
If you have air conditioning it will make the job a bit easier as the auxiliary belt will have a tensioner rather than the stretch type used on engines without air conditioning.
It may be a tight wiggle to get the alternator out and new one in, from memory the official VW workshop method calls for a ratchet strap from the top of the engine, round the front and onto the subframe to induce a bit of rotation on the engine to create more space to drop it down.

I'm not going to pretend to be an expert, but I know my basics in mechanics and am up for a challenge. I've got generic tools available (socket set, screwdrivers etc.) but nothing beyond basic. I will have a look at taking off the wheel arch liners and see whether that improves access.
I will update once I have tried this.

what size alt. are you putting in_-

Alternator is easy to change, pretty good clearance and straight forward. Be sure you got a big wrench to get some momentum if the bolts are stuck

Farmboyfarmer -

Did you manage to change your alternator alright, any tips?

On the 1.6 is the alternator removed from the top? I can't get it through the bottom due to the air con compressor and a hard plastic boost hose in the way as well as air con hoses.

The air con compressor is loose to give a tiny bit more room, the alternator is also loose but I cant see a way to get it out from the engine bay?

The workshop guide says remove it from the top but I really cant see how.

Also, how is the tensioner removed? Does the larger bracket need to come off?

Hi i am attempting to replace my alternator on my 1.6 caddy (2011)
I have no AC does this mean I’ll have to cut the drive belt to remove and replace my alternator? As I have no way of taken the tension out.
Cheers