Ever Replace an Alternator your self?

[MOREOVER]

the labor cost is a bytch... I need to learn how to do this shyt any ways... should I do it my self? Have you ever changed one on your ride before?

[The Bilingual Gringo]

Sure have, it can be pretty intense depending on where it is on the engine. What type of car do you have?

Disconnect the battery. Then loosen the serpentine belt (or accessory belt depending on the year of the car). Locate the alternator and disconnect any wires on the alternator. Loosen the bolts that hold the alternator to the accessory bracket or engine block.

Reverse to put back together.

[MOREOVER]

thanks man

I got an 99 Deville, I looked up some instructions online and I believe the alternator needs to drop from the bottom of the car so I think that will be toughest part, getting under there and getting it out. I talked to some mobile mechanic on craigslist he said he would do for like 60.00 bucks, but I wouldnt leaning how to do this shyt myself.

[The Bilingual Gringo]

thanks man
I got an 99 Deville, I looked up some instructions online and I believe the alternator needs to drop from the bottom of the car so I think that will be toughest part, getting under there and getting it out. I talked to some mobile mechanic on craigslist he said he would do for like 60.00 bucks, but I wouldnt leaning how to do this shyt myself.

Depending on the size of the engine bay, you may have a lot of room to wiggle it out. Sometimes you have to remove other parts/pieces just to get at the alternator bolts or anything like that.

I remember when changing out the starter in my VW, I had to loosen the lower motor mount because the bolt that goes to the engine block to the starter itself ran through the motor mount. It's all weird w/ stuff like that sometimes.

[MOREOVER]

damn thats crazy.. I havent worked on a car since auto shop in high school.

[2Quik4U]

Caddy's suck when it comes to changing things cuz so much is under the hood. You could prolly just buy a repair manual for like $20 and it'll tell you how to fix everything on the car. But yeah, dude pretty much summed it up. Disconnect the battery, loosen the serpentine belt, disconnect the wires, unscrew bolts, then go back in reverse.

[MOREOVER]

word. thanks yall.. Im hitting up auto zone after work and IM getting the manual and a new alternator

[MOREOVER]

right on yall, I got that taken care of over the weekend.. now IM just having a little trouble with refilling the coolant, I had to put a lot of water in right after replacing the alt, and then I bought straight antifreeze to mix it with, but the coolant level light came back on this morning, I added some more water and the whole thing starting over flowing and shyt, I think I had the wrong mix going on. I took the ride to a Jiffy Lube on my lunch break and the cat there filled up the coolant reservoir and the light went off again. Im going to have to see how if it rides hot on the way home today.

The Alt. took four hours, I learned a lot though.. picked up the manual and Im down to continue to repair the ride my self if need be.

thanks, PEACE

[King Sun]

sounds like you put too much antifreeze In there you should drain it and put the right mix In there

[The Bilingual Gringo]

right on yall, I got that taken care of over the weekend.. now IM just having a little trouble with refilling the coolant, I had to put a lot of water in right after replacing the alt, and then I bought straight antifreeze to mix it with, but the coolant level light came back on this morning, I added some more water and the whole thing starting over flowing and shyt, I think I had the wrong mix going on. I took the ride to a Jiffy Lube on my lunch break and the cat there filled up the coolant reservoir and the light went off again. Im going to have to see how if it rides hot on the way home today.
The Alt. took four hours, I learned a lot though.. picked up the manual and Im down to continue to repair the ride my self if need be.
thanks, PEACE

Typically cars run 50/50 if you buy the concentrate. A lot of things are pre-mixed so you just add it.

Gotta be careful w/ the coolant though, best thing to do is fill the reservoir, start the car, turn the heat on full blast, and then let it run. You'll see the reservoir empty and as time goes on, add the mix until it doesn't disappear anymore and bubbles go away.

That way you purge the air bubbles from the system. Those things are designed to be pretty air tight. Air bubbles can mess w/ seals and the water pump, thermostat, etc.

Oh and four hours isn't bad. The first time is always the longest time. And that manual is the best investment you can make (sans tools) when you start doing work yourself.

[beaniemac]

Typically cars run 50/50 if you buy the concentrate. A lot of things are pre-mixed so you just add it.

Gotta be careful w/ the coolant though, best thing to do is fill the reservoir, start the car, turn the heat on full blast, and then let it run. You'll see the reservoir empty and as time goes on, add the mix until it doesn't disappear anymore and bubbles go away.

That way you purge the air bubbles from the system. Those things are designed to be pretty air tight. Air bubbles can mess w/ seals and the water pump, thermostat, etc.

Oh and four hours isn't bad. The first time is always the longest time. And that manual is the best investment you can make (sans tools) when you start doing work yourself.

man, I can't fix sh*t when it comes to cars, but the last time I needed coolant, I bought the pre-mixed anti freeze so I could just pour it in without worrying about the mixture.

[The Bilingual Gringo]

man, I can't fix sh*t when it comes to cars, but the last time I needed coolant, I bought the pre-mixed anti freeze so I could just pour it in without worrying about the mixture.

Werd, I don't blame you. I'm a sucker and buy VW specific coolant (:sadcam:) and that requires to be mixed.

[Aelyas en passant]

right on yall, I got that taken care of over the weekend.. now IM just having a little trouble with refilling the coolant, I had to put a lot of water in right after replacing the alt, and then I bought straight antifreeze to mix it with, but the coolant level light came back on this morning, I added some more water and the whole thing starting over flowing and shyt, I think I had the wrong mix going on. I took the ride to a Jiffy Lube on my lunch break and the cat there filled up the coolant reservoir and the light went off again. Im going to have to see how if it rides hot on the way home today.
The Alt. took four hours, I learned a lot though.. picked up the manual and Im down to continue to repair the ride my self if need be.
thanks, PEACE

if the level keeps dropping you definately have a leak ,nothing to do with mixture
as for mixture being that your in cali it shouldnt matter too much as winter temps dont fall that far down
only reason mix properly is because the freezing point of 50/50 is about -35 F and freezing point rises as the water level increases.... not an issue in cali
its good to learn how to do your car
good luck