alternator whine

[jayjay]

hey guys.. my mk2 sounds like it has a tiny little supercharger on it...

i'm pretty sure it's the alternator. it's not belts or anything, but i'm sure this is a symptom of something that isn't uncommon.

alternator whine = ...?

oh, it's also mk3 ancillaries and pulleys from a 2E, (i've heard of the general issues with mk1/2 alternators, not so much mk3..)

[Jarred]

I have that issue on my mk 1. Seriously sounds like it's supercharged.

Some people have said that the timing belt is too tight..??

[jayjay]

that's quite a bad thing... wouldn't that just shyte on the alternator..? maybe i should loosen it... but wait... it cant be.. the mk3 pulleys use that spring loaded tensioner rather than that toothed nut.. so the tension is set by the spring by a factory...

question. is my alternator going to catch fire and burn my mk2 down any time soon?

[Mischa]

that's quite a bad thing... wouldn't that just shyte on the alternator..? maybe i should loosen it... but wait... it cant be.. the mk3 pulleys use that spring loaded tensioner rather than that toothed nut.. so the tension is set by the spring by a factory...

question. is my alternator going to catch fire and burn my mk2 down any time soon?

invest in a fire extinguisher

[Golf Houso]

invest in a fire extinguisher

my car is making the exact same noise atm

Jeez, catching on fire wouldn't be a bad thing though... 11,400 payout. I could buy like, 6 MK2's for that much

[Pumpe-Düse]

A mate's '97 Seat Cordoba GLX 1.8 made that same noise. It was the alternator bearing. Need to replace alternator and no more noise.

And no, his car didn't burn down, he sold it with the issue and I saw it driving around over a year later with the noise ALOT louder, but still going...

[Peter Jones]

Jarred, your timing belt IS too tight, alternators sound differerent.

Jay just pull the alternator out and take it to an autoelectrician . New bearings will cost about $60 to have fitted.

If you don't fix them, your car won't burn down but eventually the alternator will be beyond repair and will have to be replaced.

It is possible to replace the bearings yourself if you have all the right tools but the sutosparky is the quick and easy option and you won't have to figure out which bearings to buy and how to pull the alternator apart.

Pete

[blutopless2]

as above.....
will be a bearing on its way out.
get the bearing replaced before it goes completely and ruins the alternator.
cheaper to replace the bearing than the alternator.

[aussieg60]

I may have read all the above wrong, but any way, isnt your timing belt your cam belt and every other belt running off the main crank pulley just aux V-belts or ribbed ?

The whine could just be the power steering pump if you have one ?
I had my cam belt a bit too tight and there was an ugly groan on idle.

[blutopless2]

not sure of the specific engine set up but it may only be one belt driving the whole lot.

timing belt usually internally driven.
alternator, water pump (mechanical) and other bits driven from front pulley on engine

[Golf Houso]

Well I'm taking mine to a mechanic today, and considering how similar the the mk2 8v's are to the mk3 8v's it might provide some insight into it...

[Jmac]

Guys the Cam belt tensioner roller is notorious for being noisy. Run the engine with the Vee belts off one at a time and you will pinpoint that way. PSteer 1st then Alt. If still noisy then its the Cam belt tensioner roller
JMac

[DVR68U]

yeah the water pump can make a horrible deep grumble noise that sometimes sounds like bearings too, just so you know
cheers brenton

[Golf Houso]

Guys the Cam belt tensioner roller is notorious for being noisy. Run the engine with the Vee belts off one at a time and you will pinpoint that way. PSteer 1st then Alt. If still noisy then its the Cam belt tensioner roller
JMac

Yeah I spoke to Seb today and he also said it might be the cam tensioner/roller. Typically it made no sound at all when I went to show him the car I'm getting the cam realigned tomorrow (no more crappy 5000rpm limiter) I'm hoping thats the problem

[jayjay]

yeah mine's quite intermittent too.. i'm not to worried.. i just hope my alternator doesn't melt..

or maybe i should mask that noise with a proper whine..?

i'll try that belt 1 off, check, belt 2 off check etc. method. thanks jimmy