Worried about...

[f_399]

I am worried about my alternator...

 

I have been through about 4 alternators in 100,000 miles

 

I am going on a road trip in 3 weeks.... are there any signs of a failing alternator?

 

I hear some things under the hood and it may be coming from the alternator... however when the car is warmed up the sound is gone

 

I had the laternator tested and its all good, I have not washed the engine for fear of the alternator going.

 

Any helpful comments or tips?

[Robby1870]

drive it and dont worry. If it breaks it breaks....its easy to fix

[Darkness]

That's a lot of alternators for 100k miles. My first thought would be to check and make sure the alternator is installed true to the engine. If the alternator is a little off-kilter, you could be putting weird strain on the bearings, from the belt pulling it slightly sideways... ah, sort of. Know what I mean?

[jeremy]

I would buy a spare and throw it in the trunk for piece of mind.

[slick]

Yep, just get a spare, keep the necessary tools with you. If it happens, shouldn't take you but 20-30 minutes to fix.

[digitaloutsider]

I can change a 2.8/3.1/3x00 alternator in 15 minutes. You shouldn't have to take much more than that. Just keep the tools with you, along with a spare.

[1990lumina]

Hell if you had the 3.4 maybe I'd be worried. But on the 3.1/3100 it is a simple repair...took me 30minutes the first time I ever replaced an alternator.

 

The spare in the trunk might give you piece of mind. I know the one in my dad's car has been grinding for 6 months already, and it is still kicking lol