alternator brand

[gokhane]

Hi
I would like to buy a new alternator for my golf 3 (carburettor). What is good brand for an alternator being not too expensive
G

[Unobeat]

Bosch

What is wrong with your alternator and what is your budget?
Where are you located?

[gokhane]

when engine is hot I hear a noise and then after rev goes down in idle as if it wants to cut out.

[Jetta2]

Have you tested the alternator with a multimeter to see if it is charging properly?
What checks and tests have you done to be sure it is the alternator?

[gokhane]

my budget : R 2500
I m in Sunninghill, Sandton

[gokhane]

Water pump , camp belt , v belt and tension was changed. Noise is still there and got worse. So I m suspecting this is alternator. Battery seems to change but I don't have the tools to test

[gokhane]

tensioner was also changed

[OettingerTDi]

Take a drive to a auto electrician or battery supplier close to you, a place such as Battery Centre comes to mind.

They will probably have a multimeter to check if your alternator is charging properly or not.

[AvesshenG]

Bosch

[panic-mechanic]

so remove the alternator belt. Start the car. if it is quiet then yes it is something in that driven lot. alternators can also be rebuilt , noisy one is just possibly bearings. Much cheaper than a new alternator

[gokhane]

I removed the alternator and took it to an auto electrician. They replaced the bearings and changed some other things. They said my alternator was a bosch made and in good condition. I put it back. Noise still there. So I m running out of options. I m thinking if matches would be good. There is another issue. It seems the timing is out as engine struggling to start and run. Last time when mechanic was replacing the water pump he seemed to have changed something with the timing as he was marking the pulleys. I have no idea how to do the timing.

[Jetta2]

Get another mechanic that actually knows what they are doing.

[chucker02]

Probably the timing belt that is too tight would be my guess

[VAG Fan]

Like Panic wrote, be systematic in your search, rather than just changing things.
Is the noise gone when you start the engine with a slack (or removed) alternator belt? Then it's one of the items driven by that belt.

[gokhane]

I will try that but I seem to have more serious problems as the engine timing seems out and running rough. I need to sort that out first. I hope the mechanic who was replacing the water pump didn't mess up the timing and damaged the engine. Would wrong timing damage bearings in the engine ?

[panic-mechanic]

incorrect timing wllnot damage bearings but can make the pistons and the valves meet up which will be way more damaging than anything

[gokhane]

Finally mechanic did the timing and it seems all good. I hope this was the end of my problems..The noise was coming from the timing belt covers ( I think more the bottom plastic cover) which is loose. I looked for one at goldwagen and they say they don't keep those. I have number of things I need but cannot find them anywhere. Gear shift knob with the boot , sun visors and this timing belt covers. Where can I get these things?

[panic-mechanic]

scrapyard

[missioner]

Read the rest of the thread.

As it's a golf 3 it uses the same covers as a Citi golf. These can be found at most used parts dealers.