Technical Alternator bearing... ;-(

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Technical Alternator bearing... ;-(

Joined
Mar 21, 2011
Messages
52
Points
20
Location
West Midlands
Hi all,

This afternoon when I started my punto there was a weird whirring noise that got louder when I turned any electrical devices on. I called the RAC and their mechanic said that the alternator bearing has gone (or is going).

Anyway - the car has been taken to a garage to be looked at.

I'd be interested to know what sort of cost I may expect to be up for. Any ideas? Is this something that is easy enough to do myself? Can alternator bearings be changed or is it a case of changing the alternator altogether?

Thanks.
 
Bearings can be changed, but there are other revolving parts in there that tend to wear out at the same time.

Changing the alternator is an easy DIY job and reconditioned ones are fairly cheap. Changing the bearings is less so, but finding bearings in the West Midlands is probably easier than anywhere else...........
 
Not advisable to change an alternator bearing! If there has been any wobble down the stator arm in the alternator then chances are the winding will be damaged. Be safe, spend the pennies on a new one. Members on here may say salvaged or reconditioned and recommend some but thats up to you.
 
If its an 8v 1.2 punto

DONT TAKE IT TO A GARAGE

this is such an easy DIY job

i paid £10 for a second hand one when i was suspecting alternator issues (which werent btw)

And fitting is only a 15min job

See the Punto guides section

If you have a multi-meter you can test it afterwards yourself too :)

Ziggy
 
There you go. 10 nuggets to change, happy days.

Cheap and easy fix :)

just make sure you give the new alternator a few spins - listening for any whine'in - squeaking and notchy'ness - if you feel any of them - good chance something is wrong with that on!

Its 3 bolts to slacken alternator and remove (17mm i believe)
And a 8mm + 10mm for the power cables :)

Ziggy
 
Hmmm wondered what that smell of burning flesh was lol

Yea battery off to prevent damage on all levels :)

Ziggy

i was thinking more car in gear positive lead touches low circuit on starter motor and car jumps forward into wall etc
ive done some stupid things in my time including being run over by my own car because i took a short cut so battery off is always wise:)

i suppose i should add i once did a compression test on a car but forgot i had left the fuel line disconnected,the fuel hit the starter motor and set on fire,i ran into the street to get the fire extinguisher out of the van and got knocked down by a car

see how things snowball:eek:

:D
 
i was thinking more car in gear positive lead touches low circuit on starter motor and car jumps forward into wall etc
ive done some stupid things in my time including being run over by my own car because i took a short cut so battery off is always wise:)

i suppose i should add i once did a compression test on a car but forgot i had left the fuel line disconnected,the fuel hit the starter motor and set on fire,i ran into the street to get the fire extinguisher out of the van and got knocked down by a car

see how things snowball:eek:

:D

:ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO:
 
ok...

The noise stopped happening so I drove around for a few days. I did however manage to order a replacement from a member on this forum and it should arrive on Monday.

In the meantime - I started the car this morning and the noise was there. I revved briefly to 2,000 rpm but it was still there. Then I drove about 50 metres. I had the window down and could smell a sort of "heat" smell so I drove back.

When I looked under the bonnet it was clear that it was coming from the alternator. It was also VERY hot. After letting it cool down for a while I removed it. Interestingly when spinning it by hand it seems ok - although that having been said, I wasn't applying any electrical load to it. It also had something painted onto it - as if it had come from a breakers yard previously.

I'll post an update once I've fitted the replacement on Monday - Fingers crossed.
 
i suppose i should add i once did a compression test on a car but forgot i had left the fuel line disconnected,the fuel hit the starter motor and set on fire,i ran into the street to get the fire extinguisher out of the van and got knocked down by a car

see how things snowball:eek:

:D

sorry dude........that was just too funny not to comment.....:ROFLMAO:
 
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