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Is anyone experiencing alternator issues?

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Old 12-12-2018, 11:01 AM
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Default Is anyone experiencing alternator issues?

I replaced my alternator back in May with a Bosch reman, and it failed. So I replaced it with a second and it too failed, by making the same squealy noises, til the death rattle showed up again. So I received a more expensive new Denso unit, and this morning at start up it made some squeaks before disappearing during warm up. I know it will progress to a quick death. Im curious to know if these units simply cant handle the rpms. I do drive using the paddles about 50% of the time
 
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Old 12-12-2018, 11:05 AM
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You sure its not the belt or the tensioner bearing.
One way to check is put some soap on the belt.
 
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Old 12-12-2018, 01:53 PM
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Ditto what Q+C said. Pull the belt and spin everything it the soap trick doesn't quiet down a noisy belt.
 
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Old 12-12-2018, 02:55 PM
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Totally agree, especially after 3 alts! There are plenty of parts that can squeek in that train and it may also be load induced to boot. My first guess would a tensioner if not the belt itself.
 
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Old 12-12-2018, 04:02 PM
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Yeah, I asked my mechanic to look at the tenisoner both times the bosch units failed. I just called him and threw in the idea of a bad tensioner perhaps being the culprit from the get go. He said he doubts it. 🙄 I know the squeak well enough now, that I can tell it was coming from the passenger side where the Alt is located. The two previous parts were definitely shot. They made noise if spun by hand
 
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Old 01-12-2019, 03:35 PM
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RESOLVED! I finally had some down time with the XK so I replaced the Serpentine a few days ago. And the morning squeaks have stopped. Finally. Thanks for the help
 

Last edited by Brewtech; 01-12-2019 at 03:54 PM.
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Old 01-12-2019, 04:33 PM
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Glad to hear life is quieter now!
 
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Old 01-12-2019, 05:04 PM
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Are you wondering how someone could diagnose it remotely, sight unseen, when you could not standing in front of the car?
 
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Old 01-12-2019, 05:59 PM
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Originally Posted by Queen and Country
Are you wondering how someone could diagnose it remotely, sight unseen, when you could not standing in front of the car?
Yeah! How’d you know? You have a knack for these cars. Never had a belt be an issue in my life, except for when I was young. I was so poor Id get my old mans hand me downs. I had to unzip my pants to eat.
 
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Old 01-12-2019, 09:11 PM
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You diagnose the owner and not the car, lol.
No, the answer was right in front of you. 3 alternators!

Dont you wish you could have your original alt back.
What they give you $20 for the core?
Someone in Mexico now has a reliable alternator built to oe specs, they probably threw a new bearing on it.

Just playing with you, happens to all of us, its human nature to imagine the worst.
Thats why you want to start with the easiest and most common thing.
 
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Old 01-13-2019, 01:02 AM
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Originally Posted by Queen and Country
You diagnose the owner and not the car, lol.
No, the answer was right in front of you. 3 alternators!

Dont you wish you could have your original alt back.
What they give you $20 for the core?
Someone in Mexico now has a reliable alternator built to oe specs, they probably threw a new bearing on it.

Just playing with you, happens to all of us, its human nature to imagine the worst.
Thats why you want to start with the easiest and most common thing.
Lol. It was a sardonic reply. Dont be flattered, and dont assume that it was only the belt. The first alternator failed, and so did the two Bosch remans. They were rattling, the armature was loose inside. And when spun by hand you could feel that there was an issue. I finally got an oem Denso, and its fine, but the morning squeak that came a week after the install was the belt. My mistake was not replacing the belt too. Hey man, wanna go to Reb Lobster and get some grub? Get da heck outta here! Go on get!
 

Last edited by Brewtech; 01-13-2019 at 01:22 AM.
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Old 01-13-2019, 10:49 AM
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Reb Lobster isn't that some redneck joint?
 
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Old 01-13-2019, 11:30 AM
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Originally Posted by MarkyUK
Reb Lobster isn't that some redneck joint?
The power of marketing. Incredible.
At one time lobster was discarded or fed to animals and prisoners.

I watch from a distance all these idiosyncrasies.
Like how come the "mechanic" told the op that its definitely not the belt.
How did he know that the owner would not question why not change a 10 year old rubber belt, as opposed to steel.
Are mechanics shrinks??
 
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Old 01-13-2019, 11:55 AM
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Originally Posted by Queen and Country
The power of marketing. Incredible.
At one time lobster was discarded or fed to animals and prisoners.

I watch from a distance all these idiosyncrasies.
Like how come the "mechanic" told the op that its definitely not the belt.
How did he know that the owner would not question why not change a 10 year old rubber belt, as opposed to steel.
Are mechanics shrinks??
Ohhhh Q&C... Ive moved on. Now I need tail lights, just installed my XKR back box, and had an x pipe put in place of the resonator. Then back to having a an all aluminium radiator made for the XK. BTW !!! My Lotus is going to need a new radiator too! Good thing its still winter, I gotta have a guy fab up some hinges for the clamshell in order to get front access at any given time. These cars are a lot of work. I wrench when I can. So sometimes the XK gets a new part thrown at it by my mechanic of 15 years. Big deal, plenty of Sizzlers for all of us to eat at. So what do ya say? Wanna go out and get some grub?
 
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Old 01-13-2019, 11:57 AM
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Originally Posted by MarkyUK
Reb Lobster isn't that some redneck joint?
haha! I think I was drinking my second Elysian Spacedust IPA when I was typing that up. Im up for Reb Lobster!
 
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Old 01-13-2019, 12:49 PM
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Originally Posted by Brewtech
Wanna go out and get some grub?
Next time I am in LA.
Best fish and chips outside UK I have had, a joint on PCH in Malibu.
 
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Old 01-13-2019, 02:00 PM
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Originally Posted by Queen and Country
Next time I am in LA.
Best fish and chips outside UK I have had, a joint on PCH in Malibu.
excellent choice! I know the place
 
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Old 01-14-2019, 10:09 PM
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Just where is the "Reb Lobster" on the PCH in Malibu? I've driven the PCH in both directions between Oxnard and Santa Monica many times and I have never seen one.
 
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Old 01-14-2019, 10:44 PM
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Originally Posted by ralphwg
Just where is the "Reb Lobster" on the PCH in Malibu? I've driven the PCH in both directions between Oxnard and Santa Monica many times and I have never seen one.
lol. Im pretty sure there isn’t one. But there are some good seafood reataurants.
 
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Old 01-15-2019, 01:52 AM
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Back to alternators, I've no issues with mine but called my local battery/ alt rebuild place and they advised they could rebuild mine for £80

A local mechanic will remove take it in and refit for £35, these people have rebuilt my X100 original alt for a mere £40 in previously and it ran faultlessly for 4yrs before the car was written off,

In many cases, (certainly here in the UK) it's not worthwhile buying new when it can be done so cheaply.
 


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