Alternator whine
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Three Wheeling
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 81
Likes: 9
Alternator whine
Hello,
Recently my LR3 has developed a whine that varies with engine RPM. It is present at idle, and gets louder as RPM increase. A remanufactured power steering pump was installed ~5k ago. A used alternator was installed ~10k ago. A mechanics stethescope has the noise pinpointed to the alternator. The primary belt tensioner is also loud when probed, but is not the source of the audible whine. The whine is fairly minor. I have had no electrical problems. Engine voltage at idle is 14.0V and increases as idles increase to ~14.5-14.8V, as measured by a GAPIID.
I can get a Remy remanufactured alternator for $200 CAD, or an assortment of AllMakes, Britpart, Denso, "OriginalEquipment" for $300-350 CAD. Belt tensioner is easy and cheap and will be replaced.
I have two questions. I am not having electrical problems and a minor alternator whine. Can I wait on the replacement? The LR3 is driven irregularly as a second vehicle, though it would be nice to have it reliable. It's never really been reliable. It's at 270000 km.
If I replace it right away, any input on alternator brand?
Recently my LR3 has developed a whine that varies with engine RPM. It is present at idle, and gets louder as RPM increase. A remanufactured power steering pump was installed ~5k ago. A used alternator was installed ~10k ago. A mechanics stethescope has the noise pinpointed to the alternator. The primary belt tensioner is also loud when probed, but is not the source of the audible whine. The whine is fairly minor. I have had no electrical problems. Engine voltage at idle is 14.0V and increases as idles increase to ~14.5-14.8V, as measured by a GAPIID.
I can get a Remy remanufactured alternator for $200 CAD, or an assortment of AllMakes, Britpart, Denso, "OriginalEquipment" for $300-350 CAD. Belt tensioner is easy and cheap and will be replaced.
I have two questions. I am not having electrical problems and a minor alternator whine. Can I wait on the replacement? The LR3 is driven irregularly as a second vehicle, though it would be nice to have it reliable. It's never really been reliable. It's at 270000 km.
If I replace it right away, any input on alternator brand?
Rock Crawling
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 343
Likes: 34
What Houm_wa said.
Like I mentioned on other thread, if you have to replace a crucial part after 10 years of usage, you had a good run and your car deserves Genuine or OEM part. So that 300 bucks that anybody has to spend for DENSO alternator these days is peanuts for reliability. I bought mine from Advance factors over the Pond a few years back and it will be replaced this month as I am going for a read trip across Country. Not because mine is toast, far from it, but because a preventive measures that I always take when it comes to crucial parts. At 250000 miles My LR3 deserves it.
If you know a reputable shop that can rebuild, sure, go for it, but I needed my car every day as a daily driver, could not afford few days and wait while they rebuild, so I drove with a new unit as a spare for few years, but luckily never needed replacement while driving through remote places, especially off roading and such.
We have seen many people over the years on this and other forums trying to skimp on at least OEM parts, from Alternators, water pumps, cheap 40 dollars control arms, Britpart front wheel bearings to Cheap Britpart wheel lug nuts. This practice did not end well for many as they had to replace them again on short period of time.Do it once do it right, that is what I am saying.
Like I mentioned on other thread, if you have to replace a crucial part after 10 years of usage, you had a good run and your car deserves Genuine or OEM part. So that 300 bucks that anybody has to spend for DENSO alternator these days is peanuts for reliability. I bought mine from Advance factors over the Pond a few years back and it will be replaced this month as I am going for a read trip across Country. Not because mine is toast, far from it, but because a preventive measures that I always take when it comes to crucial parts. At 250000 miles My LR3 deserves it.
If you know a reputable shop that can rebuild, sure, go for it, but I needed my car every day as a daily driver, could not afford few days and wait while they rebuild, so I drove with a new unit as a spare for few years, but luckily never needed replacement while driving through remote places, especially off roading and such.
We have seen many people over the years on this and other forums trying to skimp on at least OEM parts, from Alternators, water pumps, cheap 40 dollars control arms, Britpart front wheel bearings to Cheap Britpart wheel lug nuts. This practice did not end well for many as they had to replace them again on short period of time.Do it once do it right, that is what I am saying.
Last edited by thorgal; Mar 23, 2019 at 08:34 AM.
Thread Starter
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Three Wheeling
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 81
Likes: 9
Thanks for the opinions. I have considered and may go through rebuild route.
LRDirect has a brand called "Original Equipment", however it is not a LR part, and is priced at only $350. I'm not sure any details. Any experience with this?
There's no chance I'm spending the $800-1100 on a LR part. This is an old vehicle with a limited life span with me. I'm not going to put a low quality part in, but I do think that $1000 for an alternator is unnecessary .
LRDirect has a brand called "Original Equipment", however it is not a LR part, and is priced at only $350. I'm not sure any details. Any experience with this?
There's no chance I'm spending the $800-1100 on a LR part. This is an old vehicle with a limited life span with me. I'm not going to put a low quality part in, but I do think that $1000 for an alternator is unnecessary .
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