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Wed 3 Aug 2005 23:19

vw golf..dodgy alt bearings - steveo3002

i have a golf g60...its supercharged to those that didnt know

ive been getting a random grrrr bearing noise off and on while at idle , today while trying to diagnose where its coming from i noticed that if i load the elec system such as all the lights on toghether the noise appears immediatly and goes when i turn off the lights

does that sound like its the alt?

i cant try the "take the belt off" cus the belt runs around loads of pullys and also drives the charger

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Thu 4 Aug 2005 10:19

vw golf..dodgy alt bearings - sierraman

You could try to get some lubrication into the bearing and see if it temporarily quietens it.If it is faulty get an autoelectrician to overhaul the alternator.Mine charges £26 for a rebuild,comes back as good as new.

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Thu 4 Aug 2005 11:38

vw golf..dodgy alt bearings - HarlequinVW

You could take the belt off and check for play in the shaft and see what it sounds like when spun by hand.

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Thu 4 Aug 2005 20:54

vw golf..dodgy alt bearings - steveo3002

i just took off the belt, it spins nice enough but there is some play if you try to push/pull the pulley

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Thu 4 Aug 2005 21:38

vw golf..dodgy alt bearings - mjm

It looks as if you have diagnosed your own problem, really. An increase in the noise with load and some play in the bearings. I think you are looking at a new/exchange alternator. I don't really think they are worth rebuilding unless a new one is an arm and a leg or you have fitted a supercharger to it as well!

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Fri 5 Aug 2005 20:50

vw golf..dodgy alt bearings - none

I don't know if it's still true today, but in the early days of alternators they would often make a light growling noise when under load. Something to do with magnetic fields etc.
I can't say that I've heard one growling recently, but maybe electronics have changed enough to eliminate the noise, or maybe it's because I work on diesels now, or perhaps my hearing is going.

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