Alternator (maybe???) bearing whine

[Pete38]

I'm not certain its the alternator bearing whirring but I'm pretty sure it is. Yes I only noticed today and too lazy after a long day at work to diagnose too much, so lounge diagnostics it is today.

I cleaned my engine bay, degreased the valve covers and block. Then used CT18 to help get rid of the muddy water splatter throughout the engine bay due to off road adventures.

But it appears the cleaning has made my alternator front bearing whine a little. Not terrible but noticeable to me.

Is it possible that CT18 and water could have gone in through the armature and caused a bearing to whine?

I didn't spray to much so I am surprised but not amazed. It does sound like the alternator but it could be something else near the top of drivers side of the engine.

Is there a way to lubricate the alternator without removing it? Hoping so. Was thinking WD40 for quick check/fix seeing its safer for electrical stuff (yeh yeh I know its not great) but not sure if that'll work or where to spray. Pully side or through the armature?

[Scouse]

Pop the belt off & see if the noise is still there. It's safe to run the engine for a few seconds without the belt.
If it's not, spin each pulley & feel if one's a bit rough.

[Pete38]

Pop the belt off & see if the noise is still there. It's safe to run the engine for a few seconds without the belt.
If it's not, spin each pulley & feel if one's a bit rough.

Cheers.

I'm assuming the only thing that stops you running it for longer is the water pump, so temperature yes?

Power steering and alternator won't matter unless the battery goes flat after a few hours huh

[wayneg]

I replaced a few of my pulley and changed the ac compressor clutch bearing looking for a noise. Turned out to be the small plastic idler pulley under the tensioner pulley ( not the idler pulley) . Problem taking the belt off the noise was only there under load. I did put a post on about this pulley as mine had worn thin to what I think is a dangerous state, ready to explode with no doubt messy consequences
As a side note I just bought a new serpentine belt from Supercheap for my new car. $43 which I thought was pretty good, Repco wanted $200

[Scouse]

I'm assuming the only thing that stops you running it for longer is the water pump, so temperature yes?

Yes.
PAS is usually only noisy when it's actually operating.

[TheTree]

Hi

I agree it could be any of the bearings on the various pulleys which are involved

There was a factory recall for the tensioner pulley on the Thor engines, I replaced mine with a Nuline EP027.

Maybe take the belt off and spin each pulley by hand and see if it feels rough or loose in any way.

One of my other pulleys was slightly eccentric and could be seen when the motor is running.

Any wear or slop in any of these pulleys is going to wear out your water pump bearing faster than normal

Steve

[Pete38]

Thanks Scott, Wayne and Steve. All good points, and taken onboard. I'll start the diagnostics before the end of the weekend as I don't plan to be driving very far till then.

[Hoges]

There was a TSB released about 1999 or 2000 referring to the whining noise and it was recommended the bearing in the LH idler pulley be replaced with a metal one of 80mm diameter instead of the original plastic 70mm one. A slightly longer serpentine belt (2335mm vs 2325mm for the 70mm pulley) to compensate was specified as part of a kit. Apparently the LH idler was subject to significant forces and belt speeds, hence the whining, so they specified a (steel) pulley of larger diameter (to reduce the rpm) .

I know this because since I ceased consuming alcohol I have a much reduced social life and read a lot :angel::twisted:

[zzsteve]

As a side note I just bought a new serpentine belt from Supercheap for my new car. $43 which I thought was pretty good, Repco wanted $200

Can you tell us the part no. Wayne?

TIA

Steve

[Hoges]

Can you tell us the part no. Wayne?

TIA

Steve

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/p38a-range-rover/193786-serpentine-belt.html :wasntme:

[DANMAL]

Pete, i had the exact same problem not long ago, and everyone pointed at the alternator, could of sworn it was too.. driving back from port arlington and suddenly alternator fault came up, quickly pulled over and as i did, the temp started to rise so i quickly shut the car off..
the whole time it was the idler puller directly under the alternator, spat the belt off.. luckily it didnt do any damage anywhere, as it was still on (barely though).
mine is already a steel one, apparently being a thor motor, they changed to steel.. i went to Brit part or something like that in north melbourne, ill get the name for you.. cost me $80 something all up with a new belt... if it were the idler on the other side, its double the price for some unknown reason..
Sam

[wayneg]

Pete, i had the exact same problem not long ago, and everyone pointed at the alternator, could of sworn it was too.. driving back from port arlington and suddenly alternator fault came up, quickly pulled over and as i did, the temp started to rise so i quickly shut the car off..
the whole time it was the idler puller directly under the alternator, spat the belt off.. luckily it didnt do any damage anywhere, as it was still on (barely though).
mine is already a steel one, apparently being a thor motor, they changed to steel.. i went to Brit part or something like that in north melbourne, ill get the name for you.. cost me $80 something all up with a new belt... if it were the idler on the other side, its double the price for some unknown reason..
Sam
If you have a steel Idler pulley on the passenger side under the power steering this has a cheap renewable bearing. The one low downunder the alternator, and Tensioner pulley Is Plastic from the factory. A replacement will be steel and are about 40pounds plus shipping from the UK ( about $100.) The Tensioner Idler pulley will be plastic from factory but can be replaced with a steel one for about $35, the bearing in the plastic one cant be changed
If from what you are saying you got a Thor 70mm Right side lower pulley please let us know the supplier and part number as thats cheaper than anywhere I have seen. There must be an interchange part number as its nothing special but I have not found one. I believe anyone who still has a Plastic pulley should consider changing it

[TheTree]

Hi

The problem with my left hand idler pulley was that it was running in a slightly eccentric manner, so in the end I replaced them all

As I said in an earlier post the nuline metal replacement tensioner pulleys (the right hand one) are readily available and high quality. My local bearing shop carries them, and probably bursons as well

Steve

[wayneg]

Hi

The problem with my left hand idler pulley was that it was running in a slightly eccentric manner, so in the end I replaced them all

As I said in an earlier post the nuline metal replacement tensioner pulleys (the right hand one) are readily available and high quality. My local bearing shop carries them, and probably bursons as well

Steve
There are many threads about the tensioner and left side idler with part numbers and bearing numbers. The 70mm Idler under the Alternator, not the tensioner Idler has not been identified with an after-market number. If you have one please advise. This pulley is plastic and the surface wears away until it becomes so thin it will distort or worse detonate as others have found. They also get noisy, not the bearing just the belt running over it. New ones are steel part number PQR500060

[TheTree]

Hi

It can get confusing, this is what I replaced on my 99 Motronic

Idler Pulley PQR101150
Idler Pulley PQR500060
Tensioner Pulley Nuline EP027

and for reference since I was going to go this way until I saw how bad the pulley was;

bearings (1 x 6203 and 2 x 6304) the "C3" designation

I can't remember which bearing goes with which pulley though

Steve

[Pete38]

Well truth be told I've been a little slack as I haven't driven much.... But this definitely looks like a must check this weekend before I do many km's.. Could get kinda serious whatever bearing it is I guess.

Thanks all for your comments. I'm sure I'll probably report back with either a result or questions this weekend.

[wayneg]

Hi

It can get confusing, this is what I replaced on my 99 Motronic

Idler Pulley PQR101150
Idler Pulley PQR500060
Tensioner Pulley Nuline EP027

and for reference since I was going to go this way until I saw how bad the pulley was;

bearings (1 x 6203 and 2 x 6304) the "C3" designation

I can't remember which bearing goes with which pulley though

Steve
I am getting confused.. The PQR101150 80mm is on passenger side Bearing 6304, PQR500060 70mm on drivers side ,Bearing 6203 if you have already got steel pulley. Tensioner pulley is identical to Nuline part epo27.
Dont forget the A/C compressor clutch bearing ..30BD5222
Discovery Series II 1998-2004 / Engine / V8 Petrol - EFi / Drive Belt - With ACE (http://lrcat.com/33/4/46134#40/4/49838)

[wayneg]

I just hit on a cheap source of the 70mm Idler Pulley PQR500060 Steel. lrseries.com in the UK 13.58 pounds inc shipping to Oz. About A$26. Just ordered one as the new car has the plastic one.

P/N Product Condition Quantity Unit Price (£) Line Total (£)
PQR500060 IDLER - TIMING BELT Brand New (Replacement) 1 8.59 8.59

Subtotal: 8.59
Royal Mail Airmail: 4.99
Total: 13.58
Total VAT: 0.00

Grand Total: £13.58

[DANMAL]

wayneg, ill get the number for you tomorrow, sorry iv busted my phone so cant really access aulro on the go for a couple weeks till get my phone back (if its not the p38, its the phone:wasntme: hahaha.. but ill post details tomorrow night.
Sam..

[TheTree]

Dont forget the A/C compressor clutch bearing ..30BD5222
Discovery Series II 1998-2004 / Engine / V8 Petrol - EFi / Drive Belt - With ACE (http://lrcat.com/33/4/46134#40/4/49838)

Hi

Great tip thanks !

Steve

[TheTree]

I just hit on a cheap source of the 70mm Idler Pulley PQR500060 Steel. lrseries.com in the UK 13.58 pounds inc shipping to Oz. About A$26. Just ordered one as the new car has the plastic one.

P/N Product Condition Quantity Unit Price (£) Line Total (£)
PQR500060 IDLER - TIMING BELT Brand New (Replacement) 1 8.59 8.59

Grand Total: £13.58

Hi

In the end I decided to replace them all, since if one was dodgy the others may be suspect.

Also as you discovered they are not super expensive.

Steve

[DANMAL]

got that contact for you..
British car components
38 baillie st North melbourne
British Car Components - spares and parts for British cars, Melbourne Victoria, Australia (http://www.britcar.com.au)
03 9329 5766

i was told that thor motor came with steel ones..
cheers
Sam

[flathead steve]

I had same. Thought it was power steering pump, turned out to be the small pulley underneath. Now have a spare steering pump cost eleven buck's to fix pully. Repco part No 6304-2RS.