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My 7 month alternator is making a shhh shhh shhh shhh noise

Posted: Tue Dec 01, 2009 6:06 pm
by ssnjimb
Hi

My 7 month old alternator is making a shh shh shh shh shh shh shh noise at tick over is this a duff bearing and will it eventually fail.

It was purchased as a new alternator.

Jamie

Posted: Tue Dec 01, 2009 6:23 pm
by MarkyB
Are you sure it's the alternator?
How tight is the fan belt and did you check that the pulleys all line up?
Sometimes you need to put a washer in to line things up.

Posted: Tue Dec 01, 2009 6:25 pm
by ssnjimb
Hi mark

Its all lined up and the fan belt was tightened but not over tight as it slightly wobbles (belt) There is no scream from the belt etc

Jamie

Posted: Tue Dec 01, 2009 11:59 pm
by bmcecosse
It will be misaligned pulleys! Check again. If the belt 'wobbles' there is something wrong!

Posted: Wed Dec 02, 2009 8:37 am
by MarkyB
Maybe the alternator pulley is bent or a bit crushed?
Does it run true when turning?

Another thought, bottom pulleys can crack where the rivets hold the halves together, worth checking too.

Posted: Wed Dec 02, 2009 8:54 am
by RogerRust
You need to use the world famous rogerustoscope. Find a really long screw driver and touch the alternator with one end and put the other end to your ear then dot around the place until you find the noise. Believe me it does work! You can check the bearings and listen to the water pump etc. I find it informative and fun!!!

NB Be very careful - make sure your long hair, clothing and fingers are clear of the fan, and fan-belt.

Posted: Wed Dec 02, 2009 10:28 am
by ssnjimb
the belt wobbles in and out not side to side but only very very slightly. i will get my long screwdriver out.

Jamie