I recommend that you invest $8 in a mechanic's stethoscope at your local parts store. Use it to hunt down the true source of the noise. You might find it is the idler pulley instead of the alternator. Belt dressing should NEVER be used on these vehicles. Just don't.
If you find that the noise is from the alternator, it is a relatively simple repair, although a bit time-consuming. Disconnect the negative battery jump point attachment and secure it so that unintended contact cannot be made. Remove two "jack screws" per headlight (T-25, IIRC), and pull the headlamps out. If you are careful, you can allow the headlamp assemblies to dangle from their wires. Mark the location of the crossmember that fits across the radiator, paying special attention to the location of the hood latch should you elect to remove it. Remove all of the bolts securing the cross member, including the one that attaches the cruise control servo and the washer fluid filler. Using a screwdriver, pry loose the fasteners that secure the front bumper cover to the cross member. Remove the cross member; you might get away with just pivoting it by rolling it forward... Down below the alternator on the driver's side of the engine is the serpentine idler pulley. Loosen the bolt that goes through the center of the pulley itself, then loosen the adjustment screw that is perpendicular to the pulley's axis. Remove the serpentine belt. The alternator is secured via a bracket in the rear (15MM) which attaches to the engine. I usually loosen the engine side and remove the bolt from the alternator side. There is both an upper and lower bolt securing the alternator; these go in through the front. Loosen and remove. Next, remove the connections from the back of the alternator. You should now be able to remove and replace the unit; reassembly is the simple reverse of disassembly. You will have to re-align the hood once you've got the cross member back on; pay attention to the relative size of the gaps on either side between the hood and the fenders; a little tweaking one way or the other and you should be able to equalize the size of the gaps. Incidentally, this alternator tends to be a little pricey, and rebuilding it yourself isn't too difficult if you have access to an impact wrench to remove the nut securing the pulley. You might find a local rebuilder who's willing to sell you a kit. Failing that, I'd recommend you take it to a local rebuilder instead of buying an alternator from a place like Auto Zone, their stuff is of questionable quality when it comes to rebuilt components. If it hasn't been done in the past two years, I'd recommend replacing both the serpentine belt as well as the A/C belt; make sure you get the CORRECT A/C belt; there are two part numbers that will fit. I destroyed a Gates belt that wasn't designed for the high-torque application here; Goodyear's "heavy duty" replacement has held up fine. And it goes without saying that now would be a prime time to replace the coolant, hoses and thermostat while you're in there should it need attention. Make sure you follow the correct procedure for removing the air bubble from the cooling system if you decide to do this. --Geoff On 11/12/06, djthms42 <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > Hi everyone. > My 98 ES has devewloped a high pitched whine which appears to be > coming from the area of the alternator. I've used belt dressing but it > does nothing to stop it. Has anyone any expereience with this type of > problem? Is there a description anywhere of replacement technique? > > > > > > Web: <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/dodge_intrepid> > Subscribe: <mailto://[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Unsubscribe: <mailto://[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Moderator: <mailto://[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Yahoo! Groups Links > > > > > -- --Geoff MML Moderator/Admin/Website Admin/Map Keeper '92 Acclaim; '98 Intrepid; '03 Grand Caravan http://www.moparmailinglist.com Gizmo Project (Free VOIP): ggariepy68 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Web: <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/dodge_intrepid> Subscribe: <mailto://[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Unsubscribe: <mailto://[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Moderator: <mailto://[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/dodge_intrepid/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/dodge_intrepid/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
