Alternator fan is too noisy...
09-26-2001, 09:54 PM
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Alternator fan is too noisy...
The bloody thing is just too noisy. I hate that sound of all the air that deflects off to the side. Can't hear the intake noise over the sound of the fan. Are there some fans that are quieter, or would putting a shroud around part of the fan help? TIA
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Kevin Harlow
87 Firebird - LB8 A4
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Kevin Harlow
87 Firebird - LB8 A4
!Cat, !MAF (sometimes), !TB Coolant, Cutout, K&N, Modified Air Intake, Tru-Cool Tranny Cooler,
Air Assist Springs, Ported intake!, Ported + Polished TB Blade
Corvette Servo coming soon...
HPH C.A.I. kit coming soon...
DIY White Face Gauges - www3.mb.sympatico.ca/~bharlow/
09-26-2001, 10:27 PM
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Car: 87 Formula/ 00 Xtreme
Engine: TPI 305/ v6
Transmission: struggling t-5/ 4l60E
Axle/Gears: 3.08/ 3.23
The alternator fan is noisy ?? I've never heard of such a thing, interesting. More details maybe ?
09-26-2001, 10:51 PM
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Man, was I incoherent there. Sorry. Anyhow, when my car hits higher revs, the sound the alternator fan makes as it moves through the air is like a high pitches whizzing noise. It kinda drowns out the noise from my intake, which under the circumstances, should be waaay louder than an alternator fan. The profile of that fan is kinda aggressive, lots of little ridges and grooves. Would make for a more turbulent and noisy tendency, IMHO.
09-26-2001, 11:20 PM
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Car: 87 Formula/ 00 Xtreme
Engine: TPI 305/ v6
Transmission: struggling t-5/ 4l60E
Axle/Gears: 3.08/ 3.23
Would it look like this by chance ?
That's on my 87 'bird, the motor runs to 6k rpm easily w/o any noise from the alt. (mostly, I guess, because it's not that old/used). I have the other style on my 84 camaro (basically a 'squirrel cage' type fan)
If there's any noise comming from the alternator, I'd guess the bushings might be going out,, how old is it ?
edit: just thought of something else,, it could be your belt making the noise as well.
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[This message has been edited by deadbird (edited September 26, 2001).]
That's on my 87 'bird, the motor runs to 6k rpm easily w/o any noise from the alt. (mostly, I guess, because it's not that old/used). I have the other style on my 84 camaro (basically a 'squirrel cage' type fan)
If there's any noise comming from the alternator, I'd guess the bushings might be going out,, how old is it ?
edit: just thought of something else,, it could be your belt making the noise as well.
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[This message has been edited by deadbird (edited September 26, 2001).]
09-26-2001, 11:25 PM
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Yes, looks much like that. Is that a Beotch brand alternator? Mine is. I'm sure that the noise is coming from the fan itself, not the bushings. AFAIK, the alternator's only been in a bout 1.5 years. I have a gatorback serpentine belt on, but isn't that supposed to be more quiet?
09-26-2001, 11:33 PM
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Car: 87 Formula/ 00 Xtreme
Engine: TPI 305/ v6
Transmission: struggling t-5/ 4l60E
Axle/Gears: 3.08/ 3.23
I believe that design has existed since GM cars had generators instead of alternators. That same design was on my friends 62 truck when he got it. I'e never known them to be noisy though.
Have you taken the belt of to check rotation (spin it freely by hand)? Maybe the fan is bent & rubbing the casing. When I replaced mine I had to swap out the fan to the new alt (autozone special). Keep in mind I'm only guessing along with you since I've never experienced this.
Have you taken the belt of to check rotation (spin it freely by hand)? Maybe the fan is bent & rubbing the casing. When I replaced mine I had to swap out the fan to the new alt (autozone special). Keep in mind I'm only guessing along with you since I've never experienced this.
09-27-2001, 12:53 PM
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Engine: LT1
Transmission: 700r4
guess what ?? my car is doing the same thing...that noise is most likely comming from the alternator itself, under high demand or high load some laternator do a certain sound with is a wizziing sound.
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LT1 POWERED
HEADMANS HEADERS
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LT1 POWERED
HEADMANS HEADERS
NEARLY 300 HP.
EATS MUSTANGS FOR BREAKFAST
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09-28-2001, 09:35 PM
#8
Every Single F-Body with TPI That i have heard makes that noise. Heck both of mine do. Kind of sounds like it is supercharged. But not THAT noisey.
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89 Iroc 350 TPI,
Forged pistions
Comp roller Cam .510 lift 230dur
Flowmaster exhaust
Dart Iron Eagle heads 200cc runners 64cc chambers
MINI RAM SOON!!!!!
stock TPI for now 24# inj
87 Trans Am GTA 350 TPI
had engine fire
SHE NOW RUNS!!!! GREAT!!
Flowmaster exhaust
LT1 Injectors
------------------
89 Iroc 350 TPI,
Forged pistions
Comp roller Cam .510 lift 230dur
Flowmaster exhaust
Dart Iron Eagle heads 200cc runners 64cc chambers
MINI RAM SOON!!!!!
stock TPI for now 24# inj
87 Trans Am GTA 350 TPI
had engine fire
SHE NOW RUNS!!!! GREAT!!
Flowmaster exhaust
LT1 Injectors
10-02-2001, 12:02 PM
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Car: 89 Formula Firebird
Engine: 305 - Demon 525
Transmission: 700R4
Yeah my Brother's El Camino did the same thing after he put in a new battery. It seems the alternator was working hard to charge the battery, but after the battery was charged the that noise went away.
>If you think its a bad bearing, run the engine then get under the hood.
Get a screw driver and place one end on the alternator and listen to the other end and see what you hear. This is how I found my water pump bearing was bad. That should work on anything that has a pully on it.
Tell me what you here.
>hack at it
------------------
89 Formula Firebird
Red with T-tops
5.0 305 FI
Soon to be a 400sb.
>If you think its a bad bearing, run the engine then get under the hood.
Get a screw driver and place one end on the alternator and listen to the other end and see what you hear. This is how I found my water pump bearing was bad. That should work on anything that has a pully on it.
Tell me what you here.
>hack at it
------------------
89 Formula Firebird
Red with T-tops
5.0 305 FI
Soon to be a 400sb.
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