good to hear you got it sorted

 

This most definitely sounds like it’s coming from the (new) alternator. Before I put the belt on, I checked all the pulleys for any wiggle/movement/play and they all seemed good and fine.

It’s pretty loud at idle but I drove it around the block and it virtually went away. Pulled into the garage, and after about 10-15 seconds of idle it came back, went away, came back and so on.

Is it possible the bearings are no good on this new alternator?

 

One thing you might try (not sure if it will isolate) - You might try spraying some slightly soapy water on some of the pulleys while the noise is present. If it goes away - You may have narrowed it down to one pulley (or the alternator ; in your case).
My experience or guess is that the squeal, squeak/noise maybe coming from a failing idler pulley (?)...
Just a thought.

 

This is what I keep reading. It could either be that, the alternator, one of the pulleys or the SC. But a lot of signs and symptoms don’t seem like the SC (fingers crossed)

I am kind of hoping it’s the pulley so I don’t have to pull it all apart again for front end service again but we’ll see.

 

Idler pulley in picture appears worn out , might to remove it first and see if it spins freely with no sound …

 

that is the plan for today. Unfortunately nobody nearby has it in stock and ordering online won’t be here until end of week impatient I know

but it’s all seeming to look like that’s the issue thankfully that’s a quick fix.

 

O’reilly carries the factory Litens brand (made in Germany) under the Murray pulley tensioner idler pn # 2330291 for $19.99 ; this is what came on the Mini Cooper…

 

yup, saw it was a “special order” item they don’t stock. But took my chances, called and it’ll be here in about 3 hours *fingers crossed*

Then cross them again that this is the last of all this trouble. I might as well have done a pulley upgrade with how many times I’ve been under there

 

Also , with the belt off check the belt tensioner pulley , mini shock absorber rubber bushing’s for wear …

 

So pulled everything in the wheel well off, idler pulley is fine. Checked all the others, it’s the alternator pulled, has wobble (and it’s brand new)

guess I have to get a replacement (under warranty) and do the whole front end… again ffs

 

So the bearings were shot on the alternator.

I went through FOUR(!!!) alternators at different retailers today that all failed for one reason or another. And yes I know some will say the Autozone/Oreillys are **** but they were all Denso stamped and just reman versions.

Either way, I need to get one shipped asap. I give up on getting it locally but the one ordered online bearings also failed after 3 days. Car has been sitting for over a week now.