Alternator Questions

"Reigntastic" (reigntastic) 04/03/2014 at 13:20 • Filed to: None

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I've narrowed down the source of a fairly irritating squeaking noise from my engine bay to my belt driven alternator, as the belt is practically in new condition and the oscillations speed up as I lightly rev the engine.

My plan is to just go ahead and buy a used alternator, and have it rebuilt to ensure quality, then just swap it on. My question is, how hard is it really to rebuild an alternator? Is that something I can get a kit for and do myself, or should I go ahead and send it off somewhere to be rebuilt?

Thanks for your advice opponauts, have a nice picture in return.

RazoE > Reigntastic 04/03/2014 at 13:22

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They're like $100 at autozone + core.

Reigntastic > RazoE 04/03/2014 at 13:23

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They do them in shop or what?

'Wägen, EPA LOL > Reigntastic 04/03/2014 at 13:25

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Unless you own a Volvo - where apparently the alternator is $500 for a generic and $800 at a dealer... no, seriously - just get a new one from Autozone/Pepboys/Any other auto parts shop. What are you actually going to save by buying one use then having it rebuilt vs. just buying the new one and bringing yours in for the core fee?

Party-vi > Reigntastic 04/03/2014 at 13:27

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It's only difficult to rebuild and alternator if you can't find a kit for it. Is the vehicle charging? I would check the alternator pulley/mounts before chalking up the squeaking to the alternator itself.

Reigntastic > 'Wägen, EPA LOL 04/03/2014 at 13:29

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I'll make sure that they have the one I need, but I always get stuck special ordering shit from autozone, if their "oem" glass didn't even fit my side mirror, I worry about their OEM alternator replacements.

New ones don't seem too expensive, used they're about 50 bucks but new I can find them for a wee bit above 100.

Reigntastic > Party-vi 04/03/2014 at 13:30

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The vehicle is charging, I haven't had any issues with that, so a pulley isn't out of the question for sure. I'll see if I can find a new pulley and get it installed without too much fuss.

'Wägen, EPA LOL > Reigntastic 04/03/2014 at 13:43

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Body parts, incl. glass, are a bit more of a grab bag. Hell, many aftermarket body parts look like garbage and take a ton of work to fit properly - just look at all the busted body kit options with terrible fitment. Tolerances are a lot looser on the exterior of a car than under the hood. :)

Party-vi > Reigntastic 04/03/2014 at 13:51

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Remove the belt and see how freely the alternator spins. That should tell you if any bearings need replaced (might be cheaper just to get a new Autozone alternator).

Reigntastic > 'Wägen, EPA LOL 04/03/2014 at 13:57

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Very true. I also have no problem returning an alternator that doesn't suit my needs, and their policy supports that. I'll stop by and see what they've got after work today.

Reigntastic > Party-vi 04/03/2014 at 14:01

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Yeah, they don't seem to be too expensive new, it could be worth it just to avoid the headache. Alternators are a typical wear item for MR2s as well, so I might as well just knock it out.

John Bulzacchelli > Reigntastic 04/03/2014 at 14:07

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You say it is an "oscillating" squeak? I would suggest trying this before pulling an alternator which is likely fine. Spray a SMALL amount of silicone spray lubricant on the belt as the engine is running. I bet the noise goes away

Reigntastic > John Bulzacchelli 04/03/2014 at 14:09

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That sounds nice and simple, I will definitely try that, probably alt side first.

John Bulzacchelli > Reigntastic 04/03/2014 at 14:17

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Good luck. All it takes is a few little spritzes - make sure to get the side of the belt that contacts the pulley as well as the edges of the belt.

Reigntastic > John Bulzacchelli 04/03/2014 at 14:19

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Alright. The only thing is that the engine is generally quiet at the beginning, once it's warmed up then the noise is constant.

John Bulzacchelli > Reigntastic 04/03/2014 at 14:42

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From your description of the sound, I doubt it is a alternator. A bearing will generally make a growling/rumbling noise.

Is it similar to this noise? (this guy uses soap to stop squeal... I've never seen that done before and it seems like a huge pain in the ass, but whatver works...)

Meatcoma > Reigntastic 04/03/2014 at 14:52

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belt dressing works too.

Reigntastic > John Bulzacchelli 04/03/2014 at 15:30

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Actually, I recorded a clip over my lunch break. Idk how to interpret the noise, I'm not experienced with alternators yet.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/zqnpqcv7t1q7…

Reigntastic > Meatcoma 04/03/2014 at 15:31

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When you can reach it! I need to move a fusebox to get access, unfortunately I wasn't able to hit the belt from the angle I had over my lunch break. I did snag some lithium grease though.

John Bulzacchelli > Reigntastic 04/03/2014 at 17:45

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It is hard to tell from the recording. How close was the mic to the engine - I hear a lot of mechanical noise. That high-pitched intermittent noise sounds like a slight belt squeak.

If you really want to diagnose where the noise is coming from, and are confident enough not to lose some fingers, grab a long screw driver (or mechanics stethoscope if available) and touch it to all the components in the accessory system while resting your ear against the screwdriver handle. This amplifies the noise and makes it super easy to isolate different accessory bearing sounds.

Reigntastic > John Bulzacchelli 04/03/2014 at 18:00

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It was fairly close, I had the engine bay open and my phone probably about a foot above the engine itself.

High pitched intermittent sound is definitely the one I want to kill, It's driving me mad. I'll ask my mechanic friend if he's got a stethoscope, I left my two foot long screwdriver at home.