? alternator squeal

[m66atj]

Hi there, a couple of weeks ago, I replaced my power steering pump and then noticed a knocking noise coming from the new pump. I got a mechanic to look at it as I thought it was a dodgy PS pump. He reckoned that both drive belt pulleys and the tensioner were shot so this morning I replaced them. Now, as well as the knocking, I have a high pitch squeal that seems to come from the alternator which gets worse the higher the revs. I have read on the forum that to eliminate the alternator as the source of the squeal, I should remove the drive belt and start the engine. I just want to check that this is OK to do on an Outback H6 3.0L auto. I understand that the engine should only be run for a short time and that I should make sure the aircon is switch off.

Look forward to hearing from you.

Matt

 

[mr turbo]

Sorry I can't help with the knocking noise, but I may be able to offer a suggestion with the squealing noise.

I take it that you have only had the high pitch squeal since you changed the belt ?

If thats the case, then I'd check the tention of the belt :iconwink: It may be just a tad loose & need to be tightened just ever so slightly

Just my 2 cents worth, hope this helps

Regards
Mr Turbo

 

[m66atj]

Hi Mr Turbo, I haven't changed the belt and as far as I know the tension is set automatically, I may be wrong though.

Matt

 

[Beigewagon]

Matt

I agree with Mr Turbo. If you have a squealing noise, it is most likely the belt. Even if it was not changed, it would have been loosened to fit the other PS pump, and may not be back at the correct tension.

Beigewagon.

 

[taza]

I agree with Damian and Beigewagon. I reciently replaced my PS and AC belts, a few days or a week later there was bad sqealing that wouldnt go away.... got them tightened and problem solved

 

[dirtyRU]

Me three
I just replaced my belts about a month ago because of a horrible squeeeeeeeaaaaaaaal they started to make. Its just time to replace them. Belts are virtually the only thing in an engine that can cause the squealing like that.

Does the knocking sound like it's a piston slapping?

 

[nipper]

NO need to remove the belt.

Squirt a little water on the one belt then the other. If the squeel stops thats the problem..Now tell us more about this knock....

 

[m66atj]

Thanks Guys, I changed the belt and now the squeal has gone.....yay.

The knocking, well, I had the PS pump changed because the old one was eating itself. The new one started to make a noise and the mechanic told me it was the pulley and the tensioner, so I changed them, then the squeal then the new belt. Since then the PS pump knocking has faded away so I guess it was all linked in. Now the bloody engine warning light has come on! Will it ever end. LOL

 

[dirtyRU]

Now the bloody engine warning light has come on! Will it ever end. LOL

My stinking check engine light came on too right after i changed my belts, & comes on from time to time. I took it to a buddy that works at autozone & they hooked it up the the machine that knows all. Turns out it's only the gas cap though, so im not worried about it. :ebiggrin:

Make sure to check all your fluids & see if nothing is leaking or making noises. If all those things check out, then chances are it's something small that won't make any difference.