Alternator noise

Tiny
DMOSSER
  • MEMBER
  • 1999 FORD F-150
  • 4.2L
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 120,000 MILES
I have a re-manufactured Motorcraft alternator in my truck (v6). The alternator has only 20,000 miles on it in three years. About two weeks ago it starting making what I can best describe as a whirling noise and it definitely sounds like it is coming from the alternator and is a bearing going bad. Noise gets louder with higher rpm's and is constant each and every time I drive the truck. I bought a re-manufactured Carquest alternator and that seemed to only make it louder. I then bought a new Carquest alternator which did not fix the noise. (Both from Advanced Auto). Then I replaced the tension-er pulley assembly and then the lower idler pulley. Neither fixed it. Finally I bought a new Duralast battery from AutoZone and that did not work either. Battery tested normal above 12 amps even though it is six years old now. All other pulleys are quiet and have been replaced within the last few years. The belt is two years old and looks good. What is the problem? Belt alignment? It seems fine. The truck has 120,000 miles and is in very good condition. Thanks!
Friday, October 19th, 2018 AT 9:04 AM

4 Replies

Tiny
CJ MEDEVAC
  • MECHANIC
  • 11,004 POSTS
Just for giggles,

Remove the belt and crank it up for a minute.

Noise still there?

The Medic
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Friday, October 19th, 2018 AT 3:41 PM
Tiny
DMOSSER
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Thank you very much for chiming in. Turns out the lower idler pulley I repacked was causing all the noise in the alternator. Lesson learned. Just buy the $20.00 pulley, do not fix it yourself. Thanks again.
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Saturday, October 20th, 2018 AT 1:35 PM
Tiny
CJ MEDEVAC
  • MECHANIC
  • 11,004 POSTS
Well,

If you had not muffed something up we would never have met you!

Also, you would have never searched for us!

So, in the future, you and your buddies are more than welcome here!

Just remember, y'all will owe one of us lunch at some ritzy place! LOL!

Come back anytime no matter what happened!

The Medic
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Saturday, October 20th, 2018 AT 6:02 PM
Tiny
DMOSSER
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
10-4
Thanks again.
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Sunday, October 21st, 2018 AT 3:21 AM

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