Alternator Opinions Wanted - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

Easywin · 02-27-2010, 10:26 AM

There has been a squeaking noise coming from the accessory side of the motor for a long while now. I have determined it to be coming from the alternator. It doesn't sound like a belt squeak, it is more like metal on metal as in a bearing.

I do a lot of driving out of town for long distances. I don't want to be 30 miles between cities and have the alternator grenade. So I want to fix it before it does.

I called a shop that would replace the bearing for about $70. A replacement alternator is $220. I haven't had problems, so far, with the alternator. Should I bite the bullet and buy the new one. Or, put the new bearing in and wait for the alternator to fail and then buy an new one?

Easywin · 02-27-2010, 05:50 PM

Well, I don't think it's the alternator. I pulled off the belt earlier and I could spin it by hand, it was a little "heavy" (I think it's normal, let me know if it's not) but it was quiet with no play. Now the AC compressor is another story. It was quiet, BUT there was play in the pulley. Should I look into changing the compressor instead? I know I will have to take it to a shop to have the system evacuated and have it re-filled. Which of course, will cost me more now.

***Edit***
I looked into a new AC compressor and they are a hundred dollars more! I am just going to wait until it gives out then I'll drop the $500 to replace and recharge it. If I am on the road when it dies, I would like to have a belt to bypass the compressor. How would I get a measurement from the crank pulley to the alternator pulley to buy a temporary belt?

camry6 · 03-28-2010, 08:54 AM

If the squeak is coming from your A/C compressor clutch bearing, you can have just the clutch bearing, or the whole clutch replaced. As for the compressor itself, they rarely fail on Toyotas. A small amount of play in the clutch pulley is more or less normal. A way to check if this is the source of the squeak is to let the engine idle and verify that the squeak is there. Then turn on your A/C and let it run until it cycles on and off as it runs normally. The clutch bearing only turns when the A/C compressor clutch is off (A/C off). When the A/C is running, the clutch is engaged and the compressor turns and the bearing stops running instead. This means that the squeak will be heard when the A/C is cut-out and not be heard when the A/C is runnlng. If the squeak is always there when the A/C is running or not, then the squeak is probably coming from the timing belt idler pulleys or water pump bearing. When was the last time the timing belt, tensioner, idlers and water pump was replaced? These are regular maintenance items. Check your owner's manual for change intervals.

Easywin · 03-29-2010, 04:05 PM

Thanks for the tips. I have been waiting so long for anyone to respond. I am pretty sure that none of those have been worked on. I guess I am driving a timebomb, huh?

***TrailDust*** · 03-29-2010, 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Easywin

Thanks for the tips. I have been waiting so long for anyone to respond.

Next time that happens don't hesitate to give the thread a bump

to kick it back up to the top of the forum page. That'll keep it in people's eyesight and often can generate a faster response.

camry6 · 04-01-2010, 06:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Easywin

Thanks for the tips. I have been waiting so long for anyone to respond. I am pretty sure that none of those have been worked on. I guess I am driving a timebomb, huh?

Yea, when bearings start squeaking in around your timing belt and water pump area,......... its ticking.

Easywin · 06-06-2010, 09:02 PM

I am pretty sure that it's the A/C compressor. I tried to turn on the A/C to see if the sound changed, there was no click, no light, nothing. The noise has gotten worse the past few weeks.

How much am a looking at spending to replace the compressor and the other items to make it work? Both doing it on my own and shop/stealership. Could I have a shop evac the system then I could change everything then have them recharge it?

camry6 · 06-13-2010, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Easywin

I am pretty sure that it's the A/C compressor. I tried to turn on the A/C to see if the sound changed, there was no click, no light, nothing. The noise has gotten worse the past few weeks.

How much am a looking at spending to replace the compressor and the other items to make it work? Both doing it on my own and shop/stealership. Could I have a shop evac the system then I could change everything then have them recharge it?

It seems that your A/C is not working. It doesn't necessarily mean that the A/C clutch is the culprit for the squeak. The system may have lost its refrigerant charge, therefore the loss of charge switch will prevent it from running. The noise may still be from the water pump/timing belt area. Either way, it is best to have a reputable A/C shop check it out. If it is the compressor clutch, or if it is the water pump or idlers, that shop should be able to diagnose the squeak, and give you an estimate to fix your A/C problem at the same time. Good luck!