Funny Viberations.

[Ryan]

Not the good kind, definately not the good kind.

At about 4k and above, something in the bay viberates... I poked around and I think its my W/P pully. All the bolts are tight, but its a cheapy ebay refurb. It wiggles an inperceptible ammount, but I can hear it tick as I push on it.

Its only engine speed related. I just can't hear it at higher speeds .

I've been having alty problems. I put in a MPV 90A alty, and it does run weak. The charge light comes after startup until I hit 2krpm then it goes away. This is usually only after a short drive, turn it off, and start again. It tests weak too...

The bad alty caused my first belt to melt and stretch some, resulting in the modification of the alty bracket for more adjustment length (I have to use a big washer so the bolt doesn't push itself entirely off the end) New belt, but I can't get one the right size it seems. Its freakin' tight now though. Could it ever be tight enough to ruin the waterpump bushing?

Thats about all I can think of. It gets to sit on a driveway for 11 days now, so I'm in no rush for answers. Plus, my mechanic will have a good idea whenever I get around to talking to him again.

Thanks for the input,

Ryan

[Inodoro Pereyra]

Ryan: first, if your alt is giving you trouble, I'd deal with it. A belt that's too tight can definitely increase wear in the water pump bushing over time. My advise would be: change or fix the alternator, install the belt at the right tension and see if the vibrations subside. If they don't, a new water pump at Advance Auto Parts for the DOHC BP is $47. Good luck.

[Ryan]

Yeah, I'm thinking on the Alty. I may grab a junker unit for $20, just see what happens.

The W/P is prolly shot already. It was an ebay refurb, so who really knows what quality of bushings were in there to start with.

[Inodoro Pereyra]

Good luck, and let us know how it goes.
2 tips (no brainers, but those are normally the ones that get you in trouble):

1. once you pull the new alty, go to the nearest auto parts store and have it checked. It wouldn't be the first time you go through all the work of installing it to find out it's shot (ask me how I know... )

2. now would be the perfect time to take a hard look at the belt. If it's been running too tight for some time, chances are it's ready for retirement.

[Ryan]

Yeah I think I'll do both of those things. I wonder what the cost of a rebuild is.

[Inodoro Pereyra]

Hmmm. A rebuilt unit at AAP is $135.49...OOOUUUUCCHHH!
That's for a '96 protege with a BP engine. The good part is that it's a 70 A unit (the B6 comes with a 65 A), so you'd have a little more juice to play with.

Who knows? depending on what you may find at the junkyard, it may be a valid option...

[Ryan]

I'm currently running an 90A MPV alty on a 91 BP. I need a vbelt pully, sadly.

[Inodoro Pereyra]

90 A.? Do you know from which year/engine MPV?
The ones I looked over all use a 70 A...

[Ryan]

I honestly forget. I picked up a 65A one from a SOHC. to tide me over untill I get my MPV one looked at. I'll return it after

The MPV was... it escapes me.