C30 alternator - what would you do?

[Ignatz]

Last Monday I noticed a whistling sound from the drivers side of the engine. It rose and fell with revs with the car stationary and in neutral. My guess was the alternator and this seems borne out when my mechanic listened to it, bonnet up with a rod as stethoscope. I'm having it replaced on Tuesday.
I'm fairly much in the lap of the gods as to how much I could/should use the car between now and then. There are no warning lights coming on, it starts fine. There is no detectable warmth to the alternator when the engine is cold. Some of the windings appear darker than others.
Would you-
a) Not use it at all until Tuesday.
b) Use the car for short local journeys.
c) Throw caution to the wind and drive as normal.

Interested in any views, and I know that the responsibility for any consequences lies with me ;-)

[Proghound]

When they go, they can go fast. Dad had a 2.0D S40 and he got the yellow 'Power System Service Required' on the way into town (2 miles) one morning. It was at the red 'Power System Service Urgent' before he got back home. To be on the safe side he had it recovered to the garage to fit the replacement alternator.

[Clan]

Originally Posted by Ignatz

Last Monday I noticed a whistling sound from the drivers side of the engine. It rose and fell with revs with the car stationary and in neutral. My guess was the alternator and this seems borne out when my mechanic listened to it, bonnet up with a rod as stethoscope. I'm having it replaced on Tuesday.
I'm fairly much in the lap of the gods as to how much I could/should use the car between now and then. There are no warning lights coming on, it starts fine. There is no detectable warmth to the alternator when the engine is cold. Some of the windings appear darker than others.
Would you-
a) Not use it at all until Tuesday.
b) Use the car for short local journeys.
c) Throw caution to the wind and drive as normal.

Interested in any views, and I know that the responsibility for any consequences lies with me ;-)

probably and internal short circuit , I would take it off and get it checked/repaired by an auto electric company .. cheaper than a new one at £400

[Ignatz]

Originally Posted by Clan

probably and internal short circuit , I would take it off and get it checked/repaired by an auto electric company .. cheaper than a new one at £400

Unfortunately I don't have the time to do that, but £270 all in to replace it and the drive belt seems fair enough. At least I get it back the same day.

[Thassos]

what engine & year is your car?

[Ignatz]

Originally Posted by Thassos

what engine & year is your car?

1.6D Start/Stop 109ps MY 2010.

[david480]

I have a similar whistle sound from my car but it is mainly noticable when driving on smooth roads in high gears. Some people say turbo, others alternator. There are no warning lights, the car is driving fine...what's the best way to determine what the problem is?

[Ignatz]

Originally Posted by david480

I have a similar whistle sound from my car but it is mainly noticable when driving on smooth roads in high gears. Some people say turbo, others alternator. There are no warning lights, the car is driving fine...what's the best way to determine what the problem is?

I can only pass on what was done with mine the other day. With the engine running, lift the bonnet. Using a long handled screwdriver or similar device, place the bladed end against the body of the suspect unit, in my case the alternator. Put your ear to the handle end of the screwdriver. It basically acts like a stethoscope, amplifying the noise. The same test can be applied to anything else within easy reach for comparison. On my car the whistling noise heard in the cab was very evident when listening to the alternator in the manner described. While by no means a definitive test but in the absence of any other signs (warning messages etc.) it gives a good idea of where the probable fault lies.

The sound I can hear in the cab is only noticeable in low gears, higher speed and wind noise is sufficient to drown it out.

This comes with the obvious caveat that following any of the above is conducted at your own risk, and that I accept no responsibility for any adverse consequences.

[Ignatz]

The alternator was replaced yesterday with a brand new Fohrenbuhl (German) alternator and the whistling noise has gone. Very reassuring. Hopefully a few months at least will pass before the car makes further demands on my wallet!

[Thassos]

Thanks for updating on how it went, often on here people only post when they need help but dont follow thru with outcome, what sort of money was the new alternator ?