• New Cars
    • First Impressions
    • Road Tests
  • Classics
    • Classic Profiles
    • Classic Driving Impressions
    • Classics Information
    • Events and Days Out
  • Motoring For Fun
  • News & Views
  • Bookshelf
  • Technical
    • Grumpy Old Mechanic
    • Kim’s Tips
  • Features
    • Visits
    • Track Days
  • Contributors
    • About our contributors
    • Kim Henson
    • Chris Adamson
    • Kieron Fennelly
    • Ant Henson
    • Rachel Henson
    • David Miles
    • Gerald Morgan
    • Dave Moss
    • Dave Randle
    • Robin Roberts
    • Tom Scanlan
    • Glen Smale
    • Jeremy Walton
    • Keith Ward
    • John Price Williams
  • More…
    • About Wheels Alive
    • Tips for using this website
    • Useful Links

Wheels Alive

Old cars, new cars, borrowed cars & blue cars. If it steers it's here!

Old cars, new cars, borrowed cars & blue cars. If it steers it's here!

Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.

To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy

Grumpy Old Mechanic – VW design flaw that results in engine oil flowing into the alternator

Author/Source: Kim Henson

2nd January 2018

Oil filter mounted just above the alternator equals bad news…

Grumpy Old Mechanic

Oil-filled Alternators – Why?

Lately in my garage establishment we have had to change the engine oil and filter on a number of recent VW/Audi Group models that have the oil filter positioned high up within the engine compartment. In terms of accessibility, this is great, with no need for fumbling around in the depths of the underbonnet compartment to reach and release the filter.

However… One wonders who dreamt up the idea of locating the oil filter immediately above the alternator, with no shield between the two? (Our photo depicts a 2013 VW Polo 1.2, as an example). As the oil filter is released from the engine, inevitably engine oil escapes and due to gravity then runs down… and all over/into the alternator. This does the unit no good whatsoever, and indeed the presence of lubricant in quantity could write it off.

In my garage we are prepared for this design anomaly, to the extent that we place rag on top of the alternator, to catch the oil before it can do any damage.

All the same, it is difficult to understand why the chaps at VW could not have foreseen such an obvious potential problem.

Here endeth today’s rant.

Save Post as PDF

Categories: Grumpy Old Mechanic

Tip: For improved search accuracy, enclose search terms for multiple words in quotation marks. For example:
"Land Rover".

Advertise with us

Recent Posts

Government’s Road Safety Strategy soon to arrive… meanwhile here’s a close look at Cambridgeshire’s most dangerous roads

Introduction to the Wheels-Alive analysis of results from the DVLA/DfT ‘call for evidence’ on classic, kit built and radically altered vehicles, and those converted to electric power.

British Motor Museum shortlised for a Green Spark Award

Enjoy sounds, science and sustainability at The British Motor Museum this half-term, October 2025

Motor Ombudsman study finds that AI would steer nearly one in five drivers when choosing their next car

Toyota’s fascinating history – notably concentrating on the enduringly popular Corona model, which arrived in Britain exactly 60 years ago, on 1st October 1965

Kia Sportage MY26 – First Impressions

‘Never Stop Charging’ – ‘Charge Your Car Day’ 5th October 2025

Contributors

contributors

Our well-respected contributors live and breathe motor cars; aren’t we lucky?

Contributors to the site include talented, highly-respected people (so they tell me) on the hallowed membership list of the Guild of Motoring Writers, and from the similarly well thought-of Western Group of Motoring Writers. In addition there are valued contributions from other knowledgeable and capable motoring writers who have something useful to say about all aspects of driving and running vehicles in the 21st Century. All of our team are passionate about motor cars!


Read about our contributors  ››

Tags

Tyres Electric all-electric PHEV Compact SUV EV estate Estate car five door hatchback luxury SUV road test City car Seven seater SUV British Motor Museum National Motor Museum Beaulieu Coupé large SUV MPV hatchback saloon Suzuki First Impressions Hybrid plug-in hybrid Kia SUV crossover 4x4 The Motor Ombudsman

All Tags ››

Like us on Facebook

Like us on Facebook

Wheels Alive Social

  • E-mail
  • Facebook
  • RSS
  • Twitter

Please share our website

Contact us

We welcome your questions, comments and feedback. Please click here to contact us.

Advertising Opportunities

Please contact us if you would like to discuss advertising opportunities on Wheels Alive.

Copyright © 2025 Kim Henson, Wheels Alive