Alternator Replacement in a 2015 Acura

Ron Ananian The Car Doctor™ and Danny are replacing the alternator on a 2015 Acura that came in with charging issues. The job quickly snowballs due to oil leaks, corroded bolts, and a badly worn radiator. What should’ve been a simple alternator swap turns into a full-on teardown — a great example of how auto repair rarely goes as planned, especially on older vehicles. The vehicle was towed in and the problem appears to be alternator failure. The alternator, which was soaked in oil due to a leaking valve cover, sits low and forward in the engine bay, making it vulnerable to leaks. So why did this alternator fail? The car hasn’t been seen in the shop for 15 or16 months. The owner switched to quick lube shops, and critical issues went unnoticed. An oil leak destroyed the alternator and led to battery damage as well. Accessing the Alternator: Acura’s factory procedure involves: Removing the battery Tilting the radiator forward Removing cooling fans and possibly the front bumper This car also needs a new radiator due to severe corrosion and broken mounting ears — but the customer declines the radiator replacement. Some conditions have made the repair a bit more complicated. Bolts for the radiator fans are frozen/rusted in place and plastic mounts have broken off due to corrosion and age. Alternator access wasn’t possible until the bumper and radiator were removed. This is why techs often say: “We start here, and then we go there…” Auto repair evolves quickly depending on vehicle age, condition, and environment (e.g. 150k miles, 10 years old, New Jersey weather). “We’re fighting 10 years of age, 150,000 miles, rust, corrosion, and the weathering of New Jersey.” Ron's Tech Tip: Skipping proper inspections at quick lubes can cost you more in the long run — things get missed, and repairs snowball.