Alternator Bearing failure

[123-jn]

Hi,
I had a sudden whine on my van while driving up the M5 yesterday. (I always whine on the M5 also but that's because of the constant roadworks around junct 5,4,3). I was doing about 60/65 up the incline towards junction 4. I wondered if it was the Auto trans, or the engine, diff etc? so I took it out of drive and revved the engine from 3000rpm up to 3500 and hey presto the whine pitch went up as the van slowed down so it wasn't the gearbox!! Back at home this was a job for the stethoscope. With the engine ticking over I held the stethoscope on the waterpump (just a nice whirr) Then the dizzy, (same again) and then the alternator (eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee) right in my ears. It appears the bearings are dodgy all of a SUDDEN. I checked the brushes they were ok although the slip rings have seen better days. New bearings with rings and brushes are about 35-40 pounds so I decided to look at a new alternator. After scraping myself off the floor seeing £157 plus delivery I turned to Ebay and Eurocarparts who had better prices but alot of the offerings were made by RTX (which are rubbish). So I ordered one from a German autoelectrical company for £62.00 inc delivery and no return of the old one. (Remanufactured Bosch) I hope I've not made a mistake!!! Bad things never come in ones so I also discovered that the earth had come loose on my solar regulator which has killed it!!! Now just waiting for number 3.

[itchyfeet]

Took my alternator to a local company who replaced bearings and brush pack for 50 quid, took a few days though.
maybe get your old one fixed for a spare?

[windy]

On the same topic does anyone know what the 2 bearing numbers are? (Diesel alt)

I have replaced them in the past but can't remember, and it would be good to have the bearings ready when I come to replace mine, as they have started to rumble.

[bigherb]

On the same topic does anyone know what the 2 bearing numbers are? (Diesel alt)

I have replaced them in the past but can't remember, and it would be good to have the bearings ready when I come to replace mine, as they have started to rumble.

45 & 65A alternators
6201-2RSH for the pulley end.
6203-2RSH for the regulator end.
Some alternators had C3 bearings fitted some didn't. I usually fit C3

[Oldiebut goodie]

I thought C3 was standard - closer tolerance being C2?

[windy]

On the same topic does anyone know what the 2 bearing numbers are? (Diesel alt)

I have replaced them in the past but can't remember, and it would be good to have the bearings ready when I come to replace mine, as they have started to rumble.

45 & 65A alternators
6201-2RSH for the pulley end.
6203-2RSH for the regulator end.
Some alternators had C3 bearings fitted some didn't. I usually fit C3

Thanks for posting

[123-jn]

Good suggestion, I will do the bearings on the old one as a spare when finances recover!!

[123-jn]

Well new Alternator £62.00 from Germany arrived today (recon bosch unit) no requirment to send old one back. Fitted perfectly after changing the pulleys over as it was fitted with the diesel one. Now I get 14.4v at the alternator and when I put all the lights on and the blower I still have 14.4 v at the alternator and 14.3 at the fuse box. The old alternator could not manage this without dropping below 14v. Very pleased lets see how long it lasts, looks like it has a new regulator and brushes, bearings and commutator, and is spotlessly clean in fact it looks new.

[keytouch]

Do you have a link to the ebay listing?

[123-jn]

This isn't the exact listing but it is the same alternator and same company and price.

http://www.ebay.de/itm/Generator-65A-VW ... 2edfef5d6a" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;