Alternator Screaching Noise

[scribe1974]

Hello

Please could someone let me know how much noise an alternator is supposed to make. I have a very load screeching noise that seems to be coming from the alternator it's self rather than the belts.

[missfixit70]

None.
Carefully spray a little bit of wd40 between the belts & pulleys (while it's stopped - elf & safety) then start it & see if that lessens the noise, if so the pulleys/belts may have become glazed (pulleys can be deglazed with a fine emery) or they may need replacing or tightening, but don't overtighten.
If it makes no difference, the bearings are possibly shot?

[haydn callow]

No 1 manifold stud ????? could be worth a look.

[missfixit70]

No 1 manifold stud ????? could be worth a look.

Good call, didn't think about that, look for any black smuts around the manifold where it could be blowing through, there're some piccy's somewhere on here to show you what to look for.

[scribe1974]

Thank you for your replies. If it is the bearings or manifold stud, how much damage could I do by driving 30miles as I can't get it into garage till Tuesday and need to get to work?

[stilldesperate]

Another 30 miles shouldn't make any difference if it's bearings (new alternator ?) or stud (needs fixing).

[hembramacho]

Thank you for your replies. If it is the bearings or manifold stud, how much damage could I do by driving 30miles as I can't get it into garage till Tuesday and need to get to work?

If it is the No. 1 Manifold stud driving a few more miles shouldn't make any difference (usual disclaimers apply) as long as you keep the revs down - probably wise in this weather anyway. When mine went it only screeched when the revs went over a certain point.

Andrew

[scribe1974]

Hello, please could someone tell which the no1 manifold stud is on this photo?

[hembramacho]

Hello, please could someone tell which the no1 manifold stud is on this photo?

It's the one near the centre of the pic, about 2 cms above your broken off dipstick!

Andrew

[scribe1974]

Cheers. If this is the one then it seems to be in tight and I can't see any sign of marking other than rust so can I assume the stud isn't the problem?

[hembramacho]

Cheers. If this is the one then it seems to be in tight and I can't see any sign of marking other than rust so can I assume the stud isn't the problem?

If there's no sign of any leakage from the stud area then you're probably right, although mine seemed fine until I took the heat shield off, and then it just came off in my hand. Does the screaching sound happen all the time, on full revs, now and again?

Andrew

[scribe1974]

Hi, in the six months i've had the freda there has usually been a whining noise on start up that used to go away after a while but now it is pretty much constant and has been getting louder becoming more of a screaching sound.

This may or may not be related to other problems i'm having with engine cutting out after start up and a coolant leak.

[hembramacho]

Hi, in the six months i've had the freda there has usually been a whining noise on start up that used to go away after a while but now it is pretty much constant and has been getting louder becoming more of a screaching sound.

This may or may not be related to other problems i'm having with engine cutting out after start up and a coolant leak.

If this sound has been ongoing for 6 months then it possibly isn't the manifold stud, as I'm sure 'something' would have gone by now. To be honest, with the issues you're having - screaching sound, engine cutting out, coolant leak, I'd get into a Bongo friendly garage pronto to try and get to the bottom of it.

Andrew

[scribe1974]

I would love to but I need to get to work as it's my daily drive and no-one seems to know of a good bongo garage near northampton so i had my local garage do the filters last week and it's booked in with them again on tuesday when they will try again.

The coolant leak was a split hose which they fixed but they probably didn't bleed properly so i will take in fact sheet as there must be four different types of coolant in there by now.

[TEZ217]

Hi, could still be the manifold stud or one of them, I would try and remove some of the clutter so you can see the engine around the studs look for soot marks around them, mine was no1 stud, noise had been evident on mine for quite some time especially on start up and on first driving then went off, could actually feel exhaust escaping on mine from first start up(but be careful as very hot) and could faintly see exhaust smoke escape when first started, did job myself parts available from motor factors Ford ranger manifold gasket and vauxhall astra Studs from dealer, bit of a job stripping down but not too bad, take off plate at rear of engine space to remove large pipe on the rear of manifold itself in order to allow its complete removal, remove broken stud and replace(I was lucky my broken stud left about 5mm sticking out I was able to remove carefully with stillsons) Actually went on to remove all the studs and replace the lot was advised to get the manifold skimmed but mine was checked and found not to need it.