Engine Whine After Water Water/Mud Exposure - Alternator???

[Patton]

Good Morning

About 100 miles and three days after some extensive water and mud exposure (no submerging), I am getting an escalating whine under hood. It sounds like a power steering pump whine but it is contingent on RPM and not effected by steering input. I am guessing alternator as it was hit with a lot of water, weeds and mud. I have no charge lights but sound is getting louder. I have not put a multimeter on it yet. Is this sound something that could be coming from an alternator? If so, is failure certain? I am going to crawl under at lunch and get a better look to see if it is full of mud but if I know it is going to fail, I will address it now. Thank you for your help.

Best Regards,

John Patton

 

[Patton]

Also, water pump is new (6mo / 3K miles? Thanks!

 

[thegipper]

You could take the belt off for the alternator to find out for sure if that is where the sound is coming from. If the noise goes away, you found your problem.

 

[HeshBen]

I had the same thing happen to me after a driving through some water. Next morning the whine was there. After a lot of research and waiting a several weeks to see if things just needed to dry out, I went with the bad alternator conclusion and replaced it. The whine was still present after putting in the new alternator, just a little bit quieter. After a few days the whine went away entirely.

I would assume if it was the alternator the whine would have disappeared immediately after replacing it, but what do I know? It's gone now, so I won't complain.

 

[nissanh]

Should be the AC idler bearing.
Bearing number 6301 Just buy the bearing and replace it (don't buy the entire pulley).

 

[Patton]

Should be the AC idler bearing.
Bearing number 6301 Just buy the bearing and replace it (don't buy the entire pulley).

Thanks! I will try the AC Belt then get some bearings. Does it need one or two? You may have saved me a lot of headache and money, very much appreciated!

 

[BrandonF]

I second the AC idler. I had the exact same problem and thats what solved mine. Its the lowest idler on the engine so it gets exposed to water and whatever else first.

One point: the bearing on mine was captive so I had to replace the whole idler. The toyota dealer wanted some outrageous amount for it so I just went with an aftermarket brand. This one does have a standard replaceable bearing so I can just replace the bearing next time at least.

 

[Patton]

I second the AC idler. I had the exact same problem and thats what solved mine. Its the lowest idler on the engine so it gets exposed to water and whatever else first.

One point: the bearing on mine was captive so I had to replace the whole idler. The toyota dealer wanted some outrageous amount for it so I just went with an aftermarket brand. This one does have a standard replaceable bearing so I can just replace the bearing next time at least.

Cool, I'll give it a shot of LPS 1 when I get home and order some bearings on Amazon for $7 ea if that is the problem. The mud I was in was in a swampy area and was very sticky goopy clay, like a thick pudding. Once dried, it turns into almost a baby powder type consistency so it was a it was a prime scenario for getting it contaminated with particulates. I appreciate the advice.

 

[BrandonF]

Cool, I'll give it a shot of LPS 1 when I get home and order some bearings on Amazon for $7 ea if that is the problem. The mud I was in was in a swampy area and was very sticky goopy clay, like a thick pudding. Once dried, it turns into almost a baby powder type consistency so it was a it was a prime scenario for getting it contaminated with particulates. I appreciate the advice.

Make sure you have the pulley with the replaceable bearing. Otherwise those replacement bearings won't do you any good

 

[Unner]

Before you buy any parts get a long screw driver or pry bar and put it on the alternator case, non spinning parts of the pulleys, etc and find out what exactly is making the noise. It will easily help you isolate what is making the noise. For me it was alternator.