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2.5L timing belt noise?

Please excuse, but I'm not very versed in cars, though I do what I can to work with my husband to keep my '95 SE happy and running. Can someone explain to me what a supercharger noise sounds like? (I test drove a Subaru WRX recently and recall nothing but a nice deep roar, but made its turbo wasn't "super-charged.")

In terms of the noise I'm hearing since getting a new alternator and pulley (got a steering pump, too, but a bit earlier), it's a bit like a tea kettle. It's a high whine, sort of a whistle, that starts at around 2500 and increases to 3000 and up. It goes up and down with rpm. It REALLY bugs me. My husband and I are going to check it out tomorrow with a stethescope (maybe check it with the the drivebelt off). Any ideas appreciated!
 
Woah. My noise doesn't hold a candle to that blower squeel. Where's the runway, indeed.
 
A new (refurbished) alternator fixed my noise. It was bad...people would turn their heads and stare when I pulled into a parking lot. Lotsa luck if you replace it yourself. I used the sticky "Alternator R&R" in the Duratec maintenance section and searched everything I could before tackling this project. Ended up putting the front end on jack stands, removed both wheels and came in from the driver's side with a 3ft+ socket extension to get to one of the bolts for example. Also didn't get the little bracket bolted back on but so far so good.
 
96SEBlack said:
A new (refurbished) alternator fixed my noise. It was bad...people would turn their heads and stare when I pulled into a parking lot. Lotsa luck if you replace it yourself. I used the sticky "Alternator R&R" in the Duratec maintenance section and searched everything I could before tackling this project. Ended up putting the front end on jack stands, removed both wheels and came in from the driver's side with a 3ft+ socket extension to get to one of the bolts for example. Also didn't get the little bracket bolted back on but so far so good.
Click to expand...

Thanks! Ironically, my recently installed new Ford reman alternator and/or new idler pulley seemed to have come with this high whine/squeel :(. The mechanic won't be happy, but replacement seems a real possibility. I've read in other posts that a squeel from a new reman alternator was precursor to failure, so the noise is not only very irritating, but worrisome.

Right before putting in the alternator the mechanic had dropped the subframe (including rusted, stubborn bolts) to replace the steering rack. I think he might never want to see another Contour again! It was a very, very pricey job, though.

My husband is tracking the alternator output, which may be dropping. When the serpentine drivebelt is removed. the noise goes away; use a belt that takes A/C out of the loop, the noise is still there. Engine wiring harness isn't in the greatest shape, but the whine wasn't there before the new reman alternator/idler pulley. Battery is okay, at 75% or so, but will try putting a new one in (on the remote chance the three-year-old Gold DieHard is causing any resistance), and move this battery to the '96 Mystique, which needs one.

As you say, replacing an alternator in a Contour with a V-6 is a royal PITA! I found another post where someone wrote they actually re-drilled/re-located a couple of the bolts, and said this turned the replacement into a fifteen minute job. It sounds a little too good to be true, but the possibility intrigues me and I saved the post.
 
I came here because my car is making the exact same noise that you are describing.
I hope this is the problem. I was envisioning a cylinder head/timing chain replacement. From the top of the car it totally sounds like it's coming from the serpentine belt side of the rear head.

I promise to come back and post the results when I get to it this week.
 
Fixed it.

Fixed it.

Yeah, so I finally fixed it. Turns out you can buy an alternator rebuild kit (brushes and bearings) on ebay for 25 bucks. Getting the bearings out is a PITA, but it's a cheap way to keep your motorcraft alternator.
 
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