[Solved] Growling Bearing Noise (2.7L) 2TR-FE

Because the alternator is still spinning and creating a rotating magnetic field....

Or it is a bearing noise.

 

It would have to be a bearing noise.

EM fields need power in order to be created. No power=no energization=no e in the em field.

 

No it doesn't "have to be" a bearing noise.

So you mean to say that an alternator needs power in order to generate power....

You may want to think about that for a second or two. The sole purpose of an alternator is to turn mechanical energy (rotation) into electrical energy.

Maybe just maybe the rotation of the alternator rotor is generating the electric power.... Even with no load the alternator is still working and generating power.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=121&v=tiKH48EMgKE

 

Jimmyh, what are your thoughts on alternators? Whatcha think about remanufactured alternators? You have always given good advice to me on here.

 

You know at 1:25 in your video it says that they are excited by a DC power source.

 

Yeah I didn't want to argue lol...Jimmyh is someone I respect alot on these forums.

 

Not try to argue anything just pointing out that what he posted to support his point doesn't support it.

 

Anyways, for those that care. Noise was completely gone today... drive about 60 miles a day for work...nada.

Weird. Lol.

 

In my opinion I would either get the existing OEM alternator repaired or buy a new replacement. I would steer clear of the auto parts store "remanufactured" alternators. Unless you get a lifetime warranty and enjoy replacing them every few months.

 

https://www.zaccohn.com/images/gifs/epicstandoff.gif

 

Senior Moment.

You are correct. It does in fact require a small voltage at the rotor to start the magnetic field.

 

All good

There are some good ones pretty much the same as getting a local rebuilder to do it but like you I don't like the typical cheapo ones that are stocked. When I turned wrenches for a living we used Bosch, Denso, carquest, and AC Delco all of which had some good results, with Denso and Bosch being the best. On some cars I've owned I put the cheap stuff on and some have worked great others failed quickly. Put a cheap autozone starter on a fellow member's tacoma almost a yr ago and it's still kicking . Like everything YMMV. I've had stuff fail that the local rebuilder did, mostly obsolete 6 volt stuff that guys refuse to convert or some really off the wall stuff that getting parts is a royal PITA. One rebuileder around here the autozone stuff is better than what he does. Hell I wish it was as easy as it was back in the day to get parts to rebuild them. I enjoyed rebuilding alternators and starters that was fun.

 

Unless you have a source the parts to properly rebuild an alternator will cost nearly as much as a new alternator.

 

Have you tried talking off the belt and spinning all your pulleys by hand yet ? What you are describing sounds an awful lot like a bearing on some accessory going bad... At least to my shade tree experience.

 

Problem Solved. THANKS TO ALL FOR THE HELP.

Using a mechanics stethoscope I localized the bearing failure to either the alternator or tensioner pulley. Removing the belt and spinning the pulleys by hand confirmed that the alternator bearing was indeed bad.

At 90,000 miles the alternator was replaced with a remanned Denso.

First I have heard of this type of failure for this year at this mileage.

Pro tip...

Get a stethoscooe for $5...you'll be glad you did.

 

You may want to look into the bearing thread in the website. That way you can order what bearing you will need for that tensioner pulley that may be starting to go bad...ordering it, and replacing that bearing will be rather cheap and easy to do...much less expensive than stuck on the side of the road with a bad pulley and a shredded serpentine belt and a possible tow truck bill.

 

mine sometimes makes a high pitch noise on startup which seems to disappear when the fan clutch engages or disengages