Alternator making groaning sounds on higher speeds, water pump bearing noises?

Tiny
ALEX STATHAS
  • MEMBER
  • 2014 NISSAN VERSA
  • 1.6L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 85,000 MILES
Hi, I have the vehicle listed above SV. The vehicle still has the original alternator and original water pump on it, how long is an alternator supposed to last? And how long is a water pump supposed to last? One day I forgot to shift the transmission in drive and when I pushed the gas pedal I heard a groaning sound, is that water pump bearing noise? Thank you in advance for your valuable information.
Wednesday, January 11th, 2023 AT 1:55 AM

3 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 54,336 POSTS
They should last about 100,000 but I have seen them go out before can you open the hood and take a short video of the noise that way, I can tell what's going on you can upload the video with your response. Also, you can remove the serpentine belt to spin each of the parts to see which one is making a grumbling noise which means it is bad.

here is how to remove the belt in the diagrams below:

This generic guide can help walk you through the steps

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/replace-serpentine-belt

Check out the images (below). Let us know what happens and please upload pictures or videos of the problem.
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Wednesday, January 11th, 2023 AT 11:22 AM
Tiny
ALEX STATHAS
  • MEMBER
  • 71 POSTS
I am too scared to mess with the serpentine belt because I am afraid that if I fool with it then the engine will overheat and the battery will drain or discharge, the serpentine belt is recent and was recently installed by Tire Kingdom last August 13th, the smooth side of the relatively new serpentine belt appears glazed so I am not sure if Tire Kingdom overtightened the new serpentine belt but I have heard that if the serpentine belt is overtightened then it causes water pump and alternator noise, since I am afraid to mess with anything from under the hood then I will have to live with the groaning noise when the engine is roaring at higher speeds as long as the water pump pumps still pumps anti-freeze or coolant and the alternator still charges up the battery, they did something else wrong at Tire Kingdom and that is they recommended the next oil change at 8,000 miles which would have caused the engine to seize up but I ignored that recommendation and after five months I did my next oil change at Walmart which recommends oil changes every three months and now the engine runs fine except when I forgot the transmission in Park and I raced the engine it made the above described groaning sound or noise, I am not technologically savvy and I don't know how to electronically upload or download a video but I know a little bit about cars like an overtightened serpentine belt causes groaning sounds or noises on the water pump and alternator, thank you for the information though, written by Alex Stathas
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Wednesday, January 11th, 2023 AT 1:45 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 54,336 POSTS
It sounds like you are right, the belt is over tightened. I would not let it go because it will cause the water pump or alternator to go out. The belt is easy to loosen, you can take it to the shop and have them do it for free or very inexpensively.
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Thursday, January 12th, 2023 AT 10:30 AM

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