alternator issues?

[RX_EJA]

hello chaps

replaced the belts awhile ago, some issues with them becoming slack transpired to be the nut was not holding the alternator.

Anyhoo, its started squealing again, belts seem fine, it strated doing it a couple of weeks ago after it was left out in some heavy rain and I put it down to moisture, but now seems to be doing it more often, it is intermittent, it seems to be when you start her up and its on low revs when you get the revs up it sort of cleared, but last night the noise just appeared again after ide been driving it for about 20-30 minutes was at the lights went to set off and squeeal! so in essence it seems to be getting worse, the battery voltmeter seems to be indicating 14V but i think it was more 13V last night but i think this could be because i had the lights and stero on?

im going to have to take the belts off and check the bearings and im tempted to strip the alternator down,

any ideas what the issue could be? are bearings readily available!

Any genreal or specific suggestions would be greatly appreciated

[A7RXY]

Are you stil running a Viscous coupler, if so read this. viewtopic.php?f=23&t=137

as mine made all sorts of noises before it went.

Dibs

[TOOL]

You sure the water pumps not on it's way out?

[RX_EJA]

having read the above thread i think it may be the Viscous Coupler as there is a strange burning smell coming from the engine bay, I thought it was the clutch or brakes at first but dismissed these as they seem to be working fine

Please tell me there is a chance i could repair the coupler?

ive not au fait with water pump problems, i thought it would just make a strange noise and lose water?

[ian65]

having read the above thread i think it may be the Viscous Coupler as there is a strange burning smell coming from the engine bay, I thought it was the clutch or brakes at first but dismissed these as they seem to be working fine

Please tell me there is a chance i could repair the coupler?

ive not au fait with water pump problems, i thought it would just make a strange noise and lose water?

follow the instructions in the link that Dibs put up above.... if that doesn't fix it, you need a new coupler or better still, dump it and fit an electric fan

[RLM55]

I had the Viscous Coupler go bad on my '81 a few months ago and had similar problems trying to determine why the belts were squealing even though i had the double pulley setup.

electric fan is a great solution but i did not want to put any more stress on the alternator even though i had previously upgraded the original 40 amp alternator to 70 amp to solve some electrical problems.

had no problem finding a used Coupler in good condition for $25US and replaced in 20 minutes. Works great.

Good luck!

[TOOL]

having read the above thread i think it may be the Viscous Coupler as there is a strange burning smell coming from the engine bay, I thought it was the clutch or brakes at first but dismissed these as they seem to be working fine

Please tell me there is a chance i could repair the coupler?

ive not au fait with water pump problems, i thought it would just make a strange noise and lose water?

In theory, they're designed to start weeping when the seal goes, but if the roller bearings start to go, the bearing can jam up, causing the belt(s) to squeel as the pulley stops rotating. Just another thing to check.

Viscous coupler is not really repairable. I've got some spares floating about if you need one though, as others do too probably.

[ian65]

if your fan belt is stretching/burning, it's 90% probable that the viscous coupler has gone bad..... they aren't worth replacing IMO..... just put an electric fan in its place and forget about it.

[RX_EJA]

Thanks guys great help as always,

Im going to take it apart at some point over the next few days and depending on what I find ill have to make a decison either fit a new coupler or go electic

I may just take Tool up on his offer, but lets see what surfaces.

[RX_EJA]

right had a quick look at it, the car is warm and the fan is not spinning freely there is resistance, the fan belts appear to be smoking, took the raditor cover off and popped the metal plate of the back of the coupler and the pin will not move, whilst i was feeling around my friend decided to straighten the metal strip

Tool i think we need to begin negotiations re the viscous coupler if you would be so kind?