Whistling alternator

[dan-hipgrave]

For the past couple of days my alternator has begun to whistle when the car is idling or when under a small amount of acceleration, and its starting to get louder..

Is it a sign of an alternator on its way out, or does the belt need tightening a bit, or what??

Cheers guys..

[novaboy1981]

are you sure its the actual alternator and not just the belt?
i had the same prob and just changed the belt and it was ok, although this evening some noise has just come back! :roll:

[dan-hipgrave]

not sure whether it is the alternator or the belt, but it is definately one of the two.

You reckon i should change the alternator belt then?

[novaboy1981]

its well worth a try as its only about ?3 from motor factors!
the tension on the belt should give approx 10mm movement either way when you tighten the alternator back in place again

[sTuDeNt]

I have sprayed WD40 to shut it up :)
Worked! :)

[Nick]

hmm i wouldn't have thought spraying Wd40 on it would be the best idea, as it is a belt on some pulleys!

Mine was whilsting and i just tightened the belt up by moving the alternator bracket whilst prising the alternator tight with a metal bar wedged between my rocker cover and the alternator (you'l see what i mean if you try it) That seemed to stop the whilstling sound, but it's still there slightly.

i'd try buying a new alternator belt and then if it doesn't stop then get a re-con alternator . It could be the bearings in the alternator. Anyways, if u need a new alternator you'd buy a belt as well, so buying the belt is neccessary whatever the problem.

Just out of interest how much is a re-con alternator !?

and also, how do you know how tight the belt is supposed to be, i just tighetened it up as much as i could, so it was really taught. ????

[benji]

spray wd40 on it, if it shut's up then you know it's the belt not the alternator

[AnThoNYnOvA]

yeh the auxliary belt just tighten it up takes a few secs

[dan-hipgrave]

cheers for that guys :D will try some WD40 on the belt before i go to work tommorrow...

[danny-g-]

When the belt is properly tightened it should not twist more than 90 degrees,
well thats the theory, when a belt hasnt been properly tightened for a while the inside of the belt is smooth (shiny) and it should really be dull as they are new so yes you might need a new belt and make sure its properley tightened.
Remember no more than 90 degrees!!!

Dan