[alfa] alternator problems

[Timothy Spruill <captain_hyperion@xxxxxxxxx>]

Alfisti,

tell me what you guys think...

My '87 Milano Plat decided not to start yesterday
evening.  I got jumped off, drove home, and parked
her.  Shut her down and tried starting her again.  No
start.  She only turns over about a half turn before
stopping, if I hold the key in the starting position
all the gauges and what not work for a few seconds and
then go dead.  Tried again this morning with the same
results.

I think the problem is a bad alternator that produces
just enough power to keep the car running, but does
not charge the battery. (which by the way is less than
a year old)  The reason that I think this is because
until last weekend my car had a very bad oil leak from
the left side cam hub.  I have fixed the leak but am
still cleaning the gunk off the motor and accessories.
 I believe that oil in the alternator is causing the
problem and am trying to clean it out.  Upon trying to
remove the alternator for cleaning and inspection, I
found that the lower large bolt can not be removed all
the way with the motor in the car.  I think that the
bracket that it is in could be removed from the oil
sump but cannot find anything about it in the manual. 
During the entire set of engine rebuilding
instructions the bracket remains attached to the sump!

I am wondering, am I headed in the right direction to
fix the alternator? Is that the likely culprit?  Is
there any reason that I should not remove the mounting
bracket from the oil sump?

Thanks,
Tim Spruill
Baton Rouge, LA
'87 Milano Plat

P.S.- I have already tested the alternator with a
voltmeter, when the system is loaded up with
accessories  and engine is running, the power level
drops way below the specifications in the manual.
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