Supercharged L322 alternator getting red hot.

Can anyone shed any light on my Range Rover 4.2 supercharged alternator. The other night the car develped a whine noise and when we parked up later that day outside the shop the battery died after we had been out, but with a jump start it was fine to get home.
I've just had a look for the noise culprit tonight and it seeems to be coming from the alternator. Checked the voltage to the battery and running was 14.7v with nothing on an 12.4 with everything switched on. After about 10 mins ticking over I used a plastic pipe to listen to the noise which melted as it was so hot. So does it sound like the alternator is on its way out.

Bearing is going west unfortunately.

myfirstl322 said:

Bearing is going west unfortunately.

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Doesn't look like a nice job.

Never done one, but it's not water cooled like the Bmw engined 4.4 L322, yours is a jag lump which you know I'm sure.
Looks like only 2 bolts from ebay pics (£175 second hand)
I'd be removing belt and see if the pulley feels rough.

myfirstl322 said:

Never done one, but it's not water cooled like the Bmw engined 4.4 L322, yours is a jag lump which you know I'm sure.
Looks like only 2 bolts from ebay pics (£175 second hand)
I'd be removing belt and see if the pulley feels rough.

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Yes been looking at them on eBay. Yes first job tomorrow is take belt off and have a feel.

That didn't sound right

Dont forget a bit of baby oil!! :-o

Not sure if it helps, but the alternator on my XK8 Jaguar is ram air cooled. There is a duct that get air in from the front and funnels it down a tapered duct into the rear of the alternator for cooling purposes. Perhaps, being a Jaguar unit, it should have a similar fitting!?!?

Took the belt off today and fired it up and hay presto no more whine. Alternator has no play at the pulley and no grinding of any kind. In fact in spins freely. However the idler pulley next to the alternator is moving but albeit a struggle. Took the pulley off and soaked it in wd40 for a couple of hours and still stiff.
So could it be the pulley is the noise but this doesn't explain the alternator getting hot. I have ordered a pulley £34 fecking quid. Which I shall have Friday. I'll chuck that on and see what happens. Knowing me though it's just a coincidence and both the pulley and alternator are shot. Would just be my luck. I'll update you all Friday.

Best of luck..

Can you let me know how it works out please ?

cheers John

Quick update. Went to collect the pulley on Saturday as ran out of time Friday and it turns out as of 3rd of Jan they now longer open Saturday. Great when you work 6 til 6 all bloody week. Getting the Missus to pick it up tomorrow. Fingers crossed.

Right update for you. Been a while as I've been working away. Changed the idler pulley and you guessed it, it done nothing. Alternator ordered and picked up, now to whip the old one out. Sounds easy. No chance. Firstly I got the alternator unbolted, then tried to take off the live feed which had no play what so ever so it was a hell of a job to get off. The multi plug had more play but was stuck in quiet well but after a bit of pulling and swearing I got it out. Then to get it out.
After watching a few you tube vids on other range rovers what I forgot to realize is being super charged there are loads more pipe work. Then I realized the only way this was coming out was to stop cutting corners and strip the area between the rad and the engine of pipes and fans. So I removed the pipe work which meant taking the grill off to get to one of the pipes. Removed the viscous fan assembly which finally gave me the room to get the alternator out. Then it was a simple job of dropping the new one in and putting it all back together. Fired it up and the rest as they say is history. Hope this help anyone else who has the same problems.

splendid sir! Well done