Noisy alternator

[Tricycleman]

Okay I know that the GL 1800 are noted for having a noisy alternator but mine seems to be quite a lot louder than my fellow wingers. It sounds like I have a turbo charged on the engine which I tell everybody when they ask what that sound is. Is there any measures I can take to alleviate this annoying noise at cold temperatures?

 

[GoldWingrGreg]

Okay I know that the GL 1800 are noted for having a noisy alternator but mine seems to be quite a lot louder than my fellow wingers. It sounds like I have a turbo charged on the engine which I tell everybody when they ask what that sound is. Is there any measures I can take to alleviate this annoying noise at cold temperatures?

year and mileage ???

My thoughts:

- I have no idea what oil you are using. But changing oil weights might help. For example, if you are Honda's GN4 10w30, see if changing to their 10w40 helps.

- is you alternator OEM ???

- have you had your battery tested ???

- has the alternator drive gear been replaced at some point ???

- can you make a video and capture your whine, post it on youtube, and post a link here ???

 

[Tricycleman]

2008 - 61000 miles

Alternator is OEM as for gear change no ideal but guessing no.

Oil - was using GN4 10W 40 but change to the GN4 Gold synthetic blend 10W 40.

Battery 2 years old and test Ok.

Once bike is at operating temp and driven 20 plus miles noise dissipate but can still sightly be heard.

When I figure out how to do YouTube and posting it I'll get ya a audio.

 

[GoldWingrGreg]

Your noise is probably normal. Some do it worst then others.

 

[Tricycleman]

Yeah that's what my Honda mechanic told me 3 years ago when I first got this 1800 it just seemed noisier than the alternator was in my 1500.

I very much appreciate the responses back on questions as my Honda mechanic of 30 some years took retirement thus I basically have no other place to get answers.

Does an oem alternator in the 1800 only produce a charging current at designated RPMs I know this was a case in my 1500.

 

[GoldWingrGreg]

Does an oem alternator in the 1800 only produce a charging current at designated RPMs I know this was a case in my 1500.

GL1800 alternators are turned on by the ECM. It occurs about 5 seconds after startup. Since many circuits on a GL1800 are integrated, it is possible that the ECM is monitoring its output, and making changes to engine performance (PGM-FI) accordingly, but that has never been confirmed. The regulator in a alternator/generator circuit measures the load and causes the alternator/generator to charge accordingly.

Things that I've personally learned about our battery and charging system.

- a poor running engine can cause excessive ADG grumble/growl

- a bad battery can cause poor running

- a bad alternator can increase alternator whine

- mixing of OEM alternator parts can increase alternator whine

- a new ADG can change alternator whine

- an incorrect battery rating can increase alternator whine (18 amp/hrs from 2001-2008, and 20 amp/hrs from 2009 - current)

- an incorrect alternator can increase alternator whine

I've never heard of an "alternator that produces current at designated RPMs." Where did you get that info ??? If that happens, and accessories are added, a charging system would under charge causing a battery to go dead. Or the reverse, if all running lights are turned off, then the charging system is then over charging ... bulb will prematurely burn out.

 

[Tricycleman]

I have seen reports on the failure of the flubber insolator that connects the alternator to the engine and causes a scary engine knocking that make one think the engine is falling apart.

Any thoughts on this that this may have been the knock noise that I heard in my engine which I do not hear now?

Would it be worth my time and effort to pull the alternator and check the bearings? Also the ADG if I'm understanding it right that replacement is an engine out and engine back in.

 

[Tricycleman]

YouTube recording of my noisy alternator

Okay Greg I think I've got a YouTube video of the audio try this link



I do have an engine stethoscope that you put in your ears and when I take a reading with the prong tip on the alternator very obvious especially worse at the back of the alternator when I have the prong touching on the gearbox and on the area around input shaft from the alternator into the gear box Hardy if any noise heard. Should I remove the alternator take it apart check the bearings service the bearings what's your thoughts.

 

[Tricycleman]

Here's another video after engine warm up and recorded a little further away from alternator not much difference in noise.

 

[GoldWingrGreg]

I've found that a stethoscope is not very useful on such noises. For whatever reason, listening at the back of the alternator is always loudest and extremely deceiving. Immediately, many will think they have a problem. However, go listen to a buddies and his will probably sound similar.

As for your noises ... I hear 3. Yes, to me your singing whine sounds louder then most. However, it may still be normal. In the past 3 years, has it gotten louder ???

I also hear normal alternator drive gear grumble at times on deceleration. In the second video it's there at 30 sec mark. That's normal.

In the first video, as it's slows to idle I hear oil slinging from the oil pump chain and hitting it's shield during warmup. It's a tinny ticking noise that starts at 14sec and ends 18sec in the first video. It's there again at about 33 sec. That noise is normal too. As the oil warms it goes away. Various weight oils can affect it too.

If it where in my shop, I'd swap the alternator out for a known good one and recheck. But since that option may not be available to you, and if it's output and battery tests good, I'd order in a set of bearings, front seal, and brushes for the alternator and take those parts and the alternator to an alternator shop for them to inspect and replace as needed. I would not recommend that you do that yourself.

 

[Tricycleman]

I've found that a stethoscope is not very useful on such noises. For whatever reason, listening at the back of the alternator is always loudest and extremely deceiving. Immediately, many will think they have a problem. However, go listen to a buddies and his will probably sound similar.

As for your noises ... I hear 3. Yes, to me your singing whine sounds louder then most. However, it may still be normal. In the past 3 years, has it gotten louder ???

I also hear normal alternator drive gear grumble at times on deceleration. In the second video it's there at 30 sec mark. That's normal.

In the first video, as it's slows to idle I hear oil slinging from the oil pump chain and hitting it's shield during warmup. It's a tinny ticking noise that starts at 14sec and ends 18sec in the first video. It's there again at about 33 sec. That noise is normal too. As the oil warms it goes away. Various weight oils can affect it too.

If it where in my shop, I'd swap the alternator out for a known good one and recheck. But since that option may not be available to you, and if it's output and battery tests good, I'd order in a set of bearings, front seal, and brushes for the alternator and take those parts and the alternator to an alternator shop for them to inspect and replace as needed. I would not recommend that you do that yourself.

Wow thanks for taking the time to listen to that video Greg you analyzed a lot of things that I was not hearing I re-listen to the video's and picked up what you were talking about. In your reply you stated a known good alternator I'm assuming you're talking about one that's sitting on your bench that would have been tested by you or are you referring to buying a new one as buying a new one I could still have those same issues. As for a new alternator what are your recommendations for a vendor. I will most likely take your advice get it some bearings and seal and replace those and see what happens. I have done this on several other alternators carwise and also on my GL 1500 so I'm confidence in what I'm doing. As for battery and outputs yes that's all been checked connections are clean I volt tested the charging and battery. Battery is 2 years old and it test okay. Once again thanks for the great response and information

 

[GoldWingrGreg]

Wow thanks for taking the time to listen to that video Greg you analyzed a lot of things that I was not hearing I re-listen to the video's and picked up what you were talking about. In your reply you stated a known good alternator I'm assuming you're talking about one that's sitting on your bench that would have been tested by you or are you referring to buying a new one as buying a new one I could still have those same issues. As for a new alternator what are your recommendations for a vendor. I will most likely take your advice get it some bearings and seal and replace those and see what happens. I have done this on several other alternators carwise and also on my GL 1500 so I'm confidence in what I'm doing. As for battery and outputs yes that's all been checked connections are clean I volt tested the charging and battery. Battery is 2 years old and it test okay. Once again thanks for the great response and information

Good known ... yes, one that came out of your buddies bike who was willing to have you remove his and test in yours. Or a good known OEM one that is sitting on a shelf ... new or used it will not matter.

Parts ... go here #11 for 2, #4 and 6 for 1 each, #7 & 5 for 1 each.

http://www.partzilla.com/parts/search/Honda/Motorcycle/2008/GL1800+3A/ALTERNATOR/parts.html

 

[Tricycleman]

I've found that a stethoscope is not very useful on such noises. For whatever reason, listening at the back of the alternator is always loudest and extremely deceiving. Immediately, many will think they have a problem. However, go listen to a buddies and his will probably sound similar.

As for your noises ... I hear 3. Yes, to me your singing whine sounds louder then most. However, it may still be normal. In the past 3 years, has it gotten louder ???

I also hear normal alternator drive gear grumble at times on deceleration. In the second video it's there at 30 sec mark. That's normal.

In the first video, as it's slows to idle I hear oil slinging from the oil pump chain and hitting it's shield during warmup. It's a tinny ticking noise that starts at 14sec and ends 18sec in the first video. It's there again at about 33 sec. That noise is normal too. As the oil warms it goes away. Various weight oils can affect it too.

If it where in my shop, I'd swap the alternator out for a known good one and recheck. But since that option may not be available to you, and if it's output and battery tests good, I'd order in a set of bearings, front seal, and brushes for the alternator and take those parts and the alternator to an alternator shop for them to inspect and replace as needed. I would not recommend that you do that yourself.

Whoops I missed your one question in the three years that I've owned the bike the noise has never gotten worse the only thing I've noticed is on a 90-degree plus day and the engine is warm up and hot after couple hours of riding the noise is somewhat less.

 

[GoldWingrGreg]

Whoops I missed your one question in the three years that I've owned the bike the noise has never gotten worse the only thing I've noticed is on a 90-degree plus day and the engine is warm up and hot after couple hours of riding the noise is somewhat less.

Then new bearings will probably yield no improvement. However, parts and the labor charges from an alternator shop to replace the bearings and brushes will probably be less then $175, and hopefully you'll be able to put your noise to rest. Please keep up posted on the outcome.

 

[Tricycleman]

Then new bearings will probably yield no improvement. However, parts and the labor charges from an alternator shop to replace the bearings and brushes will probably be less then $175, and hopefully you'll be able to put your noise to rest. Please keep up posted on the outcome.

Probably right. But got to try and see. Got all my parts, $90. Good set of instruction for testing the different components. Something to add to a cold Iowa winter day project.

Just can't believe as may issues with this noise honda did have a fix or concerns.

 

[GoldWingrGreg]

Actually, if you read Honda's history book on the GoldWing, when Mr. Honda was alive he wanted GoldWings to sound like a jet engine.

 

[Tricycleman]

Actually, if you read Honda's history book on the GoldWing, when Mr. Honda was alive he wanted GoldWings to sound like a jet engine.

Thanks for the humor I needed a laugh. Well mr. Honda's mission accomplished with my 08 GL 1800 because it definitely sounds like a mini jet I'll let you know what happens after I exchange Parts in it

One of my riding buddies told me just to exchange my Mufflers out for a set of Harleys and then I wouldn't be concerned with the alternator noise.