Really Bad Engine Noise

[Bukowski]

Wow!

What a relief!

What happened to the alternator? And how?

If anyone wants to contribute to a separate ongoing oil analysis thread, I’ll help - since I brought it up. I actually already put a couple up here but it didn’t go very far.

Good thread!

[DaddyGlenn]

Originally Posted by Bukowski

Wow!

What a relief!

What happened to the alternator? And how?

If anyone wants to contribute to a separate ongoing oil analysis thread, I’ll help - since I brought it up. I actually already put a couple up here but it didn’t go very far.

Good thread!

No idea yet. The alternator is still charging so, my son is driving it home tomorrow. Assuming he makes it, LOL, we'll have the old one off tomorrow night or Saturday. I will report back.

[DaddyGlenn]

Alternator kept charging (and making noise) until my son was 4 hours from home.

Then it seized.

I grabbed the new alternator and tools then headed toward him. I had him cut off the alternator belt and drive toward me, turning off anything that would use electricity. Fortunately, being cold, we didn't have to worry about the radiator fans as long as he was on the highway. We were racing the sun.

When we met, I turned around and followed him. He had to stop for gas. I figured the battery would be too drained to start. I was wrong. We made it home without incident and before the sun went down.

The next day, we installed the new alternator and did an oil change. Then back to school for him.

An oil sample from the oil change has been sent to Black Stone Labs.

So, it was a bad bearing. My son had installed the alternator last October so it is still under warranty.

[IdahoDoug]

Nice outcome!!

[pfarah]

Good to hear that it was only the alternator.

[steveo12345]

My wife's Outback was making a similar noise and I was sure it was a rod bearing. Also turned out to be the alternator. We sometimes right away think the worst instead of hoping for a better outcome.

[DaddyGlenn]

And here is the oil analysis.

[IdahoDoug]

Thanks. So do you have the stock air filter on it, or did someone install an aftermarket type on it?

[DaddyGlenn]

Stock air filter was changed prior to this oil. No engine work since I replaced the oil cooler seals, 18,000 miles and 3 oil changes ago.

[Bukowski]

[UkrainianVlad]

The stock air filter has oil stains on it though from the leak so that might contribute idk, also sup dad

[DaddyGlenn]

Originally Posted by UkrainianVlad

The stock air filter has oil stains on it though from the leak so that might contribute idk, also sup dad

Hi Vlad. That oil on the filter isn't bad at all. It is coming from the AOS. We may need to clean it at some point. But first, I'd like to do a compression check. If the piston rings are not sealing very well, we might be getting extra blow by through the AOS and perhaps piston wear. A compression check might give some clues.

I'll add it to the list for this summer. Anyone else have ideas/suggestions?