Bearings in alternator going, going, gone?
 

Lifted the hood last night, and the racket was incredible! Alternator bearings, I assume (as does the guy who was in parking lot next to me, who heard it, looked in, then stuck his head in and put his ear to the engine. Only this car has ever elicited that response in others....if it had been the Volvo, he just would have continued on his way!:)).
My question...Rebuild this one, buy new or rebuilt, re-manufactured, or salvage? Suggestions on brand/model appreciated.
No warning lights or other problems.
Also, at this stage, do I have to replace battery too? ( in reading other posts, this seems to be the suggestion if it dies)

Thanks Guys and Gals,

Cynthia

Re: Bearings in alternator going, going, gone?
 

I would go HERE Total rebuild and a 2 year warranty. They even pay to have your old core shipped back to them. About the same price as a used alternator.

How old is the battery and did it give you problems before the alternator bearing? If the battery dies, I would just replace it.

The alternator didn't die (no warning lights, etc.) and damage the battery, it just had a loud bearing. That should not have affected the alternator output or the battery.

Put in the new alternator and then have the battery checked to see if it is charging properly. Then make the decision on the battery.

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Re: Bearings in alternator going, going, gone?
 

The link didn't work for me.

Re: Bearings in alternator going, going, gone?
 

Fixed the link. HERE it is.

,

Re: Bearings in alternator going, going, gone?
 

I think I would recheck other idler pulleys, etc before I tackled the alternator. An alternator going bad usually gives you some other indication besides noises.

Lee

Re: Bearings in alternator going, going, gone?
 

Update...

The alternator stopped making the noise...:confused:

Took it in, lifted the hood, nothing. Working normally. No warning lights, dimming of lights, etc. Has not made the noise since...only that once that I know of.

So, do I change it out anyway? Wait til something else happens?:rolleyes:

Thanks:D

Re: Bearings in alternator going, going, gone?
 

Come by my work sometime, I rebuild starters and alternators :lol:

Re: Bearings in alternator going, going, gone?
 

alternator bearings cannot make that kind of noise and then recover.

Keith:cool:

Re: Bearings in alternator going, going, gone?
 

I agree with lhopp77: Rule-out other rotating stuff before replacing the alternator. Someone with a mechanic's stethoscope could probably isolate the source of the noise.

dcb

Re: Bearings in alternator going, going, gone?
 

Here too,

A piece of flexible tubing works quite well as a make shift stethoscope. ;)

Re: Bearings in alternator going, going, gone?
 

Thanks, I was thinking I would rule out anything else first. And yes, I may need it rebuilt, Splinter...