what repair is needed when the 92 buick century has a loud noise where the alternator is located?

The car quiets down when moving and you turn the air on but if the air is off it is very loud and sounds like teeth are missing in a fan

2007-10-03T20:06:22Z

if it is the alternator can it be driven at least 40 more miles for one day? What kind of damage will it do if it'snot a belt?

2007-10-06T05:14:38Z

what is a harmonic balancer do?

dodge man2007-10-03T19:56:57Z

Favorite Answer

check the belt real good and see if it is starting to shred around the edges of it,often they will slap and do this,it also might be that the clutch in the air compressor is going bad or the front bearing,and this will cause one to do this also,that would explain why its doesn't make the noise when the air compressor is kicked on,check it out i think you,ll find it,good luck with it.

bobweb2007-10-03T19:51:35Z

Well, I'd loosen the alternator and remove the belt to see if the noise goes away. If so, turn the alternator pulley with your hand to see if you hear the noise. Replace the alternator once your sure it's making the noise. You can spray some water on the alternator belt while the engines idling to see if the noise goes away which means you need a new belt. Wear safety glasses in case the alternator fan self destructs!

shadow_relevant032007-10-03T20:10:47Z

it sound like the belt , if not maybe it's something in the ac compressor units, ac pulley ,ac clutch , maybe the comprasser is making that noise from the inside. but i think it's the belt that 's what it sound like .