Alternator or Water Pump

[westhigh66]

After starting the car, there is a bearing noise coming from the alternator or water pump - I can't tell which.1. How do I determine if it is the water pump or alternator.2. The noise goes away after a few miles. It is out of warranty. Should I have it fixed? 3. How long can I drive with a bad bearing?4. Can they just put a new bearing in or does the alternator (or water pump) need to be replaced?

Thanks for your help.

[alonsorules8]

You my be able to drive with a bad bearing for a little while but eventually the serpentine belt will be throne off when either bearing freezes up. If you are under 36000 miles you should still be covered under the original factory warranty.

I would take it to the dealer and have them diagnose the problem.

[Great White Versa]

My experience with a similar problem tells me that you should get it figured out as soon as possible. My A/C unit on an older car started to make a grinding noise as it would engage. When (after several months) I finally got around to having someone look at it the A/C lines had been damaged needed to be replaced. A simple A/C compressor swap turned into a complete redo of the entire system...

[Versa Madness]

Double check to make sure that the sound that you are hearing is not just a noisy belt. You can verify this by starting the car with the hood up and while it is making the noise, shoot a light spray of WD40 or something similar on the belt. If the noisy goes away, then you just have a dry or loose belt. That is my guess as to the noise that you are hearing.

[westhigh66]

I'll give that a try. That would be a cheap fix. Thanks!

[fjwagner]

After starting the car, there is a bearing noise coming from the alternator or water pump - I can't tell which.1. How do I determine if it is the water pump or alternator.2. The noise goes away after a few miles. It is out of warranty. Should I have it fixed? 3. How long can I drive with a bad bearing?4. Can they just put a new bearing in or does the alternator (or water pump) need to be replaced?Thanks for your help.

You ask whether you should have it fixed? Both can strand you so rather obvious to me that you fix a water pump or an alternator if they are the problem. Good luck.

[velo]

Anybody knows information on replacing the drive belt?