V6 Alternator Noise?

This site contains affiliate links for which LandyZone may be compensated if you make a purchase.
Rich in Vancouver

Rich in Vancouver

Well-Known Member
Posts
395
Location
Near Vancouver Canada
Hi V6 guys.
I am getting a ticking noise from the vicinity of my alternator/power steering pump.
I used a stethoscope on various engine bits and couldn't hear the ticking coming from
the heads or engine parts. I'm just wondering if anyone has had the same noise from
their Hippo and can confirm if it's the alternator or something else.
Also wondering if I can remove the alternator belt and run the engine without doing any damage.
(I don't see why it would but nothing is simple these days.)
Here is a link to a video of the noise on YouTube.
Any help appreciated.
 
The alternator can whine under load, which is of no real concern.

You can pop the belt off the crank pulley and run the engine. It won't harm the engine or alternator. Obviously if the noise continues, it's something else;)
 
Last edited:
Thanks Nodge. I thought it would be safe but thought I'd better check. I'll pop the belt off on the weekend.
Hoping it's not a tensioner or water pump or some other part that will involve a strip down.
It doesn't seem to be a rod bearing or a lifter (he says hopefully!)
 
Rich in Vancouver said:
Thanks Nodge. I thought it would be safe but thought I'd better check. I'll pop the belt off on the weekend.
Hoping it's not a tensioner or water pump or some other part that will involve a strip down.
It doesn't seem to be a rod bearing or a lifter (he says hopefully!)
Click to expand...
Whilst removing the alternator belt and running the engine for a very short time is okay it is inadvisable to run to engine for a longer period than is necessary to confirm to it I not part of the problem.
 
Also a ticking noise could be one if several problems. I had a 'ticking noise' on my Jag and it turned out to be a small exhaust leak between the exhaust headers and down pipes. This was diagnosed by a mechanic friend of mine in about 10 seconds. Of course I didn't believe him at first. Replaced the 'olives' that seal that area and it was solved. Humble pie eaten!!
 
Hi Nodge

Got my thoughts around the wrong way should be don't run the engine w the battery disconnected but that's probably duff info too. It is is long day and I'm still no home yet....8 hour delay in Malaga, then another 30 mins in top as flight left late.....but went okay once I landed at Luton. Now at Trowell services after buying a 'Workshop on Wheels' and heading up to Fife via Newcastle to pick up my boy!!

Couple of hours kip first methinks!!
 
MollyNomad said:
Hi Nodge

Got my thoughts around the wrong way should be don't run the engine w the battery disconnected but that's probably duff info too. It is is long day and I'm still no home yet....8 hour delay in Malaga, then another 30 mins in top as flight left late.....but went okay once I landed at Luton. Now at Trowell services after buying a 'Workshop on Wheels' and heading up to Fife via Newcastle to pick up my boy!!

Couple of hours kip first methinks!!
Click to expand...

That's spot on. If you run the engine without the battery being connected, all sorts of horrible things can happen!! ;)

Running a KV6 without its alternator connected is ok, except it'll deplete the battery in about 30 minutes.
 
Last edited:
Just got to my sisters at 1250hrs today after leaving my flat in Spain at 0745hrs yeasterday. Planned to land Stanstead, get to Aylesbury to view van, got to airport flight cancelled, had to fly into Luton(actually better for Aylesbury) but not until much later in day....viewed and bought van, drove for 3 1/2 hours, two 40 minute detours of M1/A5 (IIRC) stopped at Trowell services, 4 winks, then up to Washington to get son, then up to NE Fife all on the back of 6 hrs sleep on past three days.....still confused now....WIBBLE!!
 
Mollynomad, That was one hell of a trip!
I've thought it may be the exhaust as well but reaching in by the manifold I didn't feel any leaks.
It's had a bit of a tick for quite a while but I took the Hippo out for a test drive after fixing the cooling problem and got it up almost to the redline
passing a truck and since it has been much louder. It could be that an exhaust gasket blew out.
If pulling off the belt doesn't give any clues I will pull off the skid plate and have a look from underneath.
I won't get to it till Sunday as I'm taking the MG to Cars and Coffee on Saturday, and will be watching the F1 Quali as well.
If I locate the Hippo problem it will be a good weekend!
 
I sprayed soapy water on the belt and I had the exact same problem and the noise went away.

The bearing on the tensioner wheel of the serpentine belt is worked in my case. I confirmed after removing the belt. I still don't have the tensioner wheel changes though.

Hopefully the soapy water trick points in the same direction.
 
Well...This isn't going well!
Tried the soapy water thing-no change.
Removed the belt (Not the simplest job is it? )-No change.
Had a good crawl around with the Hippo on stands and the sound seems loudest from the sump-Not a good thing.
From what I can see/feel of the exhaust manifolds there aren't any leaks, regardless as above the sound certainly seems to be
coming from the engine proper.
It does almost sound rod bearing like. Is there anything else that tends to fail on the KV6 that could give a similar sound.
Couldn't be something odd like malfunctioning knock sensors could it? I don't have any warning lights lit so that's probably not likely but I
did unplug them and plug them in again for what it's worth.
 
Could it be tappet noise ? (Valve spring)

You are talking about the tick tick tick sound and not the one that sounds like air leaking out at high pressure right ?
 
The bottom end of the KV6 is very strong in normal use. It's good for 280 blown BHP or 250 NA BHP. So unless it's missed oil changes, it's probably not the bottom end.
Due to the light, rigid construction of the engine, noises can be heard a long way from there source. I suspect it's a valve lifter that as decide to wear prematurely. My old KV6 Freelander 3 tapping lifters on starting. These shut up when the engine is hot.

There was a problem with the oil pick up pipe on some KV6 engines. The O ring at the top of the pick up tube split, causing air to be drawn into the oil pump. This caused oil aerification with a loss of its load supporting properties.
It's probably worthwhile checking the oil pressure.
 
Well, isn't that strange. With the belt off it was still making the noise.
When I got everything back together the noise stopped.
Of course I'm not naïve enough to think I fixed it, so I left it alone.
I'll run it up in the next couple of days to find, I'm sure, that the noise has returned.

BTW: Good news on the strength of the bottom end but if it turns out to be tappets (and I doubt it as there is no noise coming from the cam covers)
I don't think I have the will to go to that much trouble to save the damned thing.

Started it again, noise is still there-Bugger!
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

F
Belt slap
Replies
5
Views
631
freelance
freelance
H
Unknown connector under the alternator
Replies
5
Views
344
Nodge68
Nodge68
J
Aux pulley question
Replies
8
Views
840
Arctic2
Arctic2
B
FL2 - Alternator belt gone but engine stopped?
Replies
16
Views
1K
pwood999
pwood999
T
Alternator
Replies
4
Views
510
Tizzie
T
Back
Top