Extremely Loud Alternator Wine!!! - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

BlackCamSe · 05-12-2006, 06:53 PM

OK so i steam-cleaned my engine in my 2005 LE I4 about a week ago and now i am noticing an extremely loud alternator wine. It can be herd from the inside of the car it is soo loud!!! Is my alternator on its way out? I haven't got a battery discharge light (yet).

JetspeedCamry · 05-12-2006, 07:38 PM

Sounds like the bearings in it have been damaged. You should NEVER steam clean those sorts of things...always cover them up.

BlackCamSe · 05-12-2006, 08:04 PM

^are the bearings replaceable? or do i need a new alternator?

JetspeedCamry · 05-12-2006, 08:09 PM

Yeah they are replaceable, usually done by a auto elec or someone like that. Dunno how hard it is to replace yourself.

Lord_Anarchy · 05-12-2006, 09:12 PM

Not too hard, just takes patience. Probably not to good a project for a first timer. You should just get a mechanic to do it though.. save you the hassle

You can DL the 92-96 Gen3 Camry manual and look at how they fix the alternator there to get a rough idea of what you'd be in for.

BlackCamSe · 05-12-2006, 09:21 PM

About how long can the alternator do its job if its bearings are gohn....like how long could i Waite until i NEED to get it fixed or replaced?

karazy · 05-13-2006, 03:44 AM

There is no way to tell how long it will last. It could go a few weeks, or it may crap out today. If it is the alt bearing, then it is probably just the front one (pully end). They are usually $5-10 at an aftermarket store. Using a dremel, with a cutting disk, to remove the old one cuts the job down no time at all.

BlackCamSe · 05-13-2006, 07:18 AM

Ok thanks for the info guys. I will address the problem as soon as possible