Water cooling on the L322 2004 M62 tub 4.4 alternator !
I know this sound stupid and at first a straight forward thing. I can assure you it is not as the last two L322 have had no obvious return pipe. I have checked the internal drillings and the one at the bottom is blanked off. Can anyone please explain the water flow.
I have checked all the ports and found the inlet goes to the top of the alternator case but try as I might, I cannot find the return.

Click image to enlarge

Hi Simon
Many thank for coming back to me.
I an in the fortunate position that I have a spare engine that I can get to the water jacket to photograph and check out every orifice. I have check the lower one which appears to be blanked off at the underside of the housing with a brass plug.
The one at the back has an outlet but is capped off with a factory fitted snap connector.
I cant see any sign of any others. I have cleaned the surface around where you thought it to be but U cant see anything.
I an sort if thinking that the rear port should have some sort of either flow or return pipe connected to it.
But I cant find it on any diagrams or parts manual.
I has got me stumped 🤔
Picture orientation!
The bottom of the pictures is to the right hand side of the page.

Hi,

I think that that alternator housing has been tinkered with. There is an inlet at the back of the housing and the connector at the front is the outlet or vice versa

Here is a video of someone having Vanos troubles but thankfully the camera angle is perfect for looking into the alternator housing.



Cheers ______________________________
Simon
______________________________

Range Rover Classic 3.5 efi - Gone
Range Rover Classic 3.9 efi - Gone
Range Rover Classic 4.2 LSE - Sadly gone
Land Rover 110 3.5 - Gone
Range Rover P38a 4.0 SE - Pleased it's gone
Range Rover P38a 2.5 DHSE - Just sold
Range Rover L322 4.4 v8 Petrol - Current

Hi Simon.
On your car where does the rear hose connect to please? Eddie the eagle watch out 👀

Hi,

Is yours like this?

I would imagine it it will be.
It looks from that as though the lower outlet is the outlet via an internal feed back up to the water pump or Thermostat housing. Eddie the eagle watch out 👀

I’m thinking along those lines as well. But I’ve just read up on how to remove the alternator casing and it doesn’t mention any o rings or coolant gaskets other than the o ring for the alternator.

So back to your original question - coolant flow. It looks like coolant comes in but doesn’t actually flow anywhere, except in this picture it looks like a gallery in the casting leading up to the block away from the alternator housing. Is it possible for you to have a look on your spare engine and possibly take off the alternator housing, it’s 15 bolts I believe.

I never thought to look when I replaced my alternator a few months back.  Ron B. VK2OTC
2004 L322 V8 Auto
2007 Yamaha XJR1300
Previous: 1983, 1986 RRC; 1995, 1996 P38A; 1995 Disco1; 1984 V8 County 110; Series IIA

If that cap is there it’s just another potential leak point..........  ______________________________
Simon
______________________________

Range Rover Classic 3.5 efi - Gone
Range Rover Classic 3.9 efi - Gone
Range Rover Classic 4.2 LSE - Sadly gone
Land Rover 110 3.5 - Gone
Range Rover P38a 4.0 SE - Pleased it's gone
Range Rover P38a 2.5 DHSE - Just sold
Range Rover L322 4.4 v8 Petrol - Current

Hi Simon
Thanks for your input.
Which cap are you referring to please? Eddie the eagle watch out 👀

The one in the picture of the rear of the alternator housing. It’s the black plastic cap with a wire clip keeping it in. ______________________________
Simon
______________________________

Range Rover Classic 3.5 efi - Gone
Range Rover Classic 3.9 efi - Gone
Range Rover Classic 4.2 LSE - Sadly gone
Land Rover 110 3.5 - Gone
Range Rover P38a 4.0 SE - Pleased it's gone
Range Rover P38a 2.5 DHSE - Just sold
Range Rover L322 4.4 v8 Petrol - Current

Right got you!
Never had a leak from there so far but it seems a little strange they have not used it as a return feed!
Anyway we seem to have solved that one now.
I had asked several dealers if they knew and it seemed to confound them also.
Thanks for that Simon
Kind regards Pete
PS did you get your suspension alinement sorted? Eddie the eagle watch out 👀