Citreon xsara Hatchback - Alternator change citreon xsara 1.4 8v 2003 guide

Honest John Back Room » Technical matters
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Sun 20 Jul 2025 20:53
Citreon xsara Hatchback - Alternator change citreon xsara 1.4 8v 2003 guide - Ryan Clements

Hi could anyone advice or a small guide to changing the alternator on a xsara hatchback? I haven't done a alternator before but do general maintenance on cars. I'm trying to learn more each time a fault or issue comes up but this one's a bit daunting with having to remove the power steering pump and slackning the alternator drive belt from the pully etc. Is it a job worth attempting or could it potentially be a troublesome job which turns out to be more costly than me just taking to a garage. Any honest advice would be greatly appreciated as finding a guide or a Haynes manual guide appears so difficult for this car as all videos etc are either xsara Picasso or diesel variety. Afraid of not getting things back together or air trapped in power steering pump etc.

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Sun 20 Jul 2025 21:15
Citreon xsara Hatchback - Alternator change citreon xsara 1.4 8v 2003 guide - elekie&a/c doctor
Possibly one of the easiest engines to work on . You’ll need a decent socket set with torx sockets. You might find a good guide from a Peugeot 206 with the same engine.
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Sun 20 Jul 2025 21:26
Citreon xsara Hatchback - Alternator change citreon xsara 1.4 8v 2003 guide - Lee Power

Done a couple of 2003 Pug 206's in the past both with the 1.4 petrol engine.

I would also recommend a new serpentine belt & the idler pulley wheels as the bearings will be likely worn.

The spring loaded tensioner pulley wheel can be removed & swopped - IIRC this bolt holding the pulley wheel has a left hand thread.

IIRC you can use a 4mm allen key inserted in to the hole on the tensioner assembly to hold it in the released position.

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Mon 21 Jul 2025 13:43
Citreon xsara Hatchback - Alternator change citreon xsara 1.4 8v 2003 guide - Ryan Clements

Thanks for getting back to me both of you. I read someone its possible to loosen the power steerring pump out but not have to disconnect the hoses is this true? Also when you loosen the belt is the pully bolted to the alternator? Will look for a guide on the 206. Thanks again both

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Mon 21 Jul 2025 14:03
Citreon xsara Hatchback - Alternator change citreon xsara 1.4 8v 2003 guide - paul 1963

You should be able to move the power steering pump to one side without disturbing the pipework, pulleys are normally keyed on to the shaft and secured with a nut or bolt .It's honestly not a bad job.

Edited by paul 1963 on 21/07/2025 at 14:05

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Mon 21 Jul 2025 16:01
Citreon xsara Hatchback - Alternator change citreon xsara 1.4 8v 2003 guide - elekie&a/c doctor
Judging by the questions you’ve asked . Think you would be better off taking it to a garage . It’s a 1-1.5 hour job .
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Mon 21 Jul 2025 17:38
Citreon xsara Hatchback - Alternator change citreon xsara 1.4 8v 2003 guide - Ryan Clements

Probably right just wanted some advice on how difficult it would be as i said I've never done this before so I'm trying to learn hands on things but obviously don't want to cost me more or be in a position its stuck on my driveway with no way to get it to the garage I'm not a mechanic not claiming to be just willing to learn. I appreciate your advice and honesty

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Mon 21 Jul 2025 17:28
Citreon xsara Hatchback - Alternator change citreon xsara 1.4 8v 2003 guide - Andrew-T

Any honest advice would be greatly appreciated as finding a guide or a Haynes manual guide appears so difficult for this car as all videos etc are either xsara Picasso or diesel variety.

You can probably find a 206 Haynes manual on E-bay for little money ?

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Mon 21 Jul 2025 17:45
Citreon xsara Hatchback - Alternator change citreon xsara 1.4 8v 2003 guide - Ryan Clements

Thanks Andrew just found one now can't believe how much some are being sold for now haha

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