New alternator installed same noise?

[CARGUY40]

I went to the shop the other day cause there was this whining noise that seemed to be comming from the alternator so the mechanic checked it out and said it was the alternator so i got a new one and had him install it yet im still getting the same noise? I also had him put a new belt and tensioner since those 2 were bad aswell.

Now if i rev the engine or am driving there is no noise at all only at idle.

1995 Buick Century 3.1 v6

 

[Trav]

Pull the belt and start the engine, see if the noise disappears.
It could be PS pump noise. Have you changed the fluid recently?
Is it low?

 

[JHZR2]

I thought I had bearing noise on my 98 chevy. Swapped the alternator because it was easy. Nothing changed.

There is going to be some bearing noise (mine was very slight, Im just overly sensitive to things being perfect sometimes), and either mine was normal for those, or my bearing isnt the best, but the AZ rebuild didnt get a new bearing...

 

[CARGUY40]

power steering fluid is full

 

[RF Overlord]

Dunno about bow-ties, but with blue ovals the P/S pump can get noisy when the fluid gets old. Try doing a couple of turkey-baster drain & fills. Worst case you get new fresh power steering fluid in the system.

 

[CARGUY40]

it just sucks cause maybe my old alternator was fine i still have it and wanna know how can i make sure my old alternator was bad? because if its still good then im gonna demand my money back from the shop.

 

[Trav]

If the battery wasn't discharging and the noise is the same then its a safe assumption the alternator was okay.
Take it and get it tested, they can check for a noisy bearing on the machine.

 

[JHZR2]

I used a mechanics stethescope to find the noise at the alternator.

 

[CARGUY40]

thats how the mechanic said mine was bad by using a stethescope yet i put a new one in and same noise!

 

[Trav]

I'm surprised he couldn't feel a rough bearing once it was off or hear it on the testing machine. AA or AZ will test it free if you bring it in.
Do you still have the old one?

 

[CARGUY40]

yes i still have the old one where should i take it to get it tested?

 

[Trav]

Advance Auto or Auto zone will check it for free.
You can watch. Listen to it for abnormal bearing noise while its running.

 

[CARGUY40]

I just went to autozone and got my older alternator tested and it passed all the test and was told its good so now its time to go back to that shop and demand my money back!

 

[punisher]

This will end well.

NVH diags, hated everyone of them.

 

[Trav]

Poor diagnostic skills and repair by trial and error are not your responsibility.
Get your money back and get some proper diagnosis done by someone who knows what the eff they are doing.

I really hate to hear this kind of thing it gives good mechanics a bad name.

 

[CARGUY40]

I went in and told him there is a whining sound comming from the alternator so all he did was use a stethescope and determined the bearings were bad and said its fine to drive it like it is but its gonna get worse so i said fine ill get a new one so he put the new one in and im still getting the same noise but yea i will be goin there tomorrow with my old alternator and print out i got for it to prove that it passed and i never needed one.

 

[The_Jeff]

You okayed the alt install, this is on you.

Don't go bugging your mechanic for money back. If you know it all, do it yourself next time.

 

[CARGUY40]

he said it was bad and it wasnt i think i have a reason to demand my money back and he said the noise was from the alternator yet a new one installed and still getting the same noise.

 

[mattd]

it is possible it was two separate, but similar noises from driven accessories.

 

[Trav]

Quote:
You okayed the alt install, this is on you.

He isn't the mechanic here, he paid to have it diagnosed and the mechanic said the alternator is bad so he approved the repair why shouldn't he.

He has every right to his money back every dime of it.
The way you put it if the customer, patient or what ever gives the go ahead based on expert diagnosis they assume all liability and responsibility. No way!

Edit:
Quote:
Don't go bugging your mechanic for money back

I wouldn't just bug him if he doesn't cough up he would have his behind in small claims court tomorrow.