Hot alternator..
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Joined: Jan 2003
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From: 3rd Rock
Hot alternator..
I was helping Mark over in the OilGuard question thread and discovered something I need to know if it is normal.
Started the truck, it was at room temp 68…It ran at idle for 2 minutes…the alternator got very warm…heck the turbo was not even warm…..would someone check this out on their truck, make sure it sits over night and then start…pop the hood…well you guys know how to stick the palm on the unit and….
Started the truck, it was at room temp 68…It ran at idle for 2 minutes…the alternator got very warm…heck the turbo was not even warm…..would someone check this out on their truck, make sure it sits over night and then start…pop the hood…well you guys know how to stick the palm on the unit and….
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Milky Way Galaxy
Tim- I sincerely hope you didn't just play an April Fools joke on me. That alternator was a little more than "warm" after a few minutes. Since I had to go to the store I figured what the heck, the truck hasn't been started in a couple of days, I'll take that instead of the Samurai. I used the remote to start it,grabbed my wallet, pet the cat, grabbed my phone and went outside. After popping the hood I reached over and put my hand on the alternator. That thing was HOT. Not warm, but HOT. Not enough to cause a burn, but hot enough for me to jerk my hand away. The truck couldn't have been running more than 3-4 minutes. So either both 6.0's are broke, or it's normal.
Posting Guru
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I wouldn't doubt that the alternator gets hot as a normal thing, and *especially* a couple minutes after starting it and leaving it idling. You just put a whomping load on your battery (starting a large high-compression engine, and powering all those glow plugs) and it's got to restore that energy to the battery, plus there's no airflow under the hood while sitting still. Clearly it's built to do this, since there aren't alternators melting down left and right around here.
Duncan
Duncan
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From: 3rd Rock
Duncan, this is what I am wondering....is it normal, if so I am not going to think twice about it nor start the sky is falling....it is sounding more like, it is OK for it to be hot....lets get some more info
Please let’s not go over board and create a problem with the 6.0 here
Please let’s not go over board and create a problem with the 6.0 here
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Great State of Texas
Started the truck, it was at room temp 68…
Well Tim...inquiring minds just gots to know...
...which room exactly, did you start it in?
Well Tim...inquiring minds just gots to know...
...which room exactly, did you start it in?
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From: 3rd Rock
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From: San Diego, CA.
What would be neat to see is a time/temp/amp chart.. I wonder if after the surface charge of the batteies is restored, if the amount of amps decrease and the temperature drops?? Or does this particular alternator just continue to pump out about the same amount of amps??
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2004
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From: Nashville
OK, I just started mine up and let it run for 3 minutes at idle, then turned it off and restarted it once more for good measure. Top alternator was lukewarm to the touch, not hot. Bottom alternator was still cool. Took a cheap meat thermometer and stuck it in one of the openings on the top alternator. It got to about 95°F. Outside ambient air temp is about 55°F. Glow plug light came on for 4 or 5 seconds each start.
Hope this helps.
Hope this helps.
Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,858
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From: Friendswood, Texas
Tim,
Just checked mine for you. Truck sat overnight. Temp in the garage this morning is 69* per the overhead console which seems about right. Ran for three minutes. I'd say it was warm but definitely not hot. Ran for another 5 minutes with the headlights and radio on. Perhaps a little warmer but again definitely not hot. I can keep my hand on the altenator the entire time.
2003 F-250 4x4 6.0PSD, Supercab, short bed, single altenator. Hood was closed while it was running and of course the garage door was wide open.
Just checked mine for you. Truck sat overnight. Temp in the garage this morning is 69* per the overhead console which seems about right. Ran for three minutes. I'd say it was warm but definitely not hot. Ran for another 5 minutes with the headlights and radio on. Perhaps a little warmer but again definitely not hot. I can keep my hand on the altenator the entire time.
2003 F-250 4x4 6.0PSD, Supercab, short bed, single altenator. Hood was closed while it was running and of course the garage door was wide open.
Senior User
Joined: May 2004
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From: The Great White North
Originally Posted by myfordf350
WOW !!!!!!!!!!! Never heard this one yet
BTW Tim I have the same situation. My dealer has told me that the suckers just run hot. As I mention above I've been aware of this for about two months (maybe longer) and haven't noticed anything bad happening.
Now that someone other than me cares about the situation I'll take a temp reading so we can compare.