Altenator replacement

[Adriano001]

I had the alternator on my 2003 Cayenne S replaced and 10 miles after i got out of the shop the temp went all the way up and water leaked, lost power steering and lights in the panel went dead, battery light said "emergency battery" was on.
Called the mechanic, he came over and told me the serpentine belt and hydraulic belt tensioner broke.
can this be caused by the replacement of the alternator?
i mean do they have, in some ways, to remove or touch the belts?
should i tell him it has to be fixed for free?
Thanks
 

[911nick]

_{Yes, the alternator is driven by the serpentine belt. In order to service the alternator, your mechanic would have had to relieve the tension on the belt and remove the belt at least on the pulley attached to the alternator. Now, if your 2003 Cayenne was running on its original belt, it was definitely overdue for a new one. However, it is highly unlikely that both the belt and the tensioner broke at the same time. Perhaps he didn't properly put the belt back in its place after servicing the alternator.}

[Pkscheldt]

_{Yes, the alternator is driven by the serpentine belt. In order to service the alternator, your mechanic would have had to relieve the tension on the belt and remove the belt at least on the pulley attached to the alternator. Now, if your 2003 Cayenne was running on its original belt, it was definitely overdue for a new one. However, it is highly unlikely that both the belt and the tensioner broke at the same time. Perhaps he didn't properly put the belt back in its place after servicing the alternator.}

I absolutely agree with all of the above. Further my SA at the Porsche/Mercedes Dealer I bring my cars into has told me in the past that he regularly sees early Cayennes come in that are 9+ years old with the original serpentine belts on. He says it's the one service item that is the most neglected. 

[kbrandsma]

Yes, the serpentine belt must be removed to access the alternator. Anytime the belt is removed a good mechanic will check the condition of the belt, idle pulleys and belt tensioners and recommend replacement if needed.

If the used belt is reinstalled the belt must be placed back on the pulleys with the same side edge out. I always mark with a marker an arrow so I can locate the proper edge for reinstallation. A used belt gets a little out of round after use and may jump the tracks or a tensioner if installed wrongside out.

I think you got a legitimate beef.

Edited August 7, 2014 by kbrandsma