BEWARE Just a head's up

[GSpan]

I've been reading alot of posts for some time now and have found alot of useful information. Last week my '98 Mountaineer started making a loud whinning noise in the area of my alternator.In a hurry, I searched through a couple of posts on the subject, and did what I had read. First I changed my power steering fluid & replaced it with type F ATF fluid. Didn't help. So I took the next step and changed my alternator. The noise was still there. I figured I had to take it to a shop, and I was already out $150 for the alternator. The other night I had more time on my hands and serched some more. This time I took my time, and read alot more. What I hadn't bothered to look at the first time were all the different things I SHOULD have done to find the problem. Turns out it was a $20 Idler pully.
Long story short, there is alot of usful info here if your willing to take the time to look through it and not take any short cuts. An expensive lesson learned. Don't make the same mistake I did. Thanks to everyone who does take the time to help others out with thier posts & threads. You guys are a great help.

 

[Rhett]

Well sometimes its hard to find the source of those noises in the front dress, even with a mechanic's stethoscope.

I'm glad you found it.

 

['97 V8]

on the V8's...that whine is ALWAYS from the idler pulley. lol. When mine started making that noise, i thought it was the alternator. A wooden stick later i found it to be the idler pulley. I went and got one of my dads stethescopes and further confirmed it was the idler.

 

[KPT]

My first step in diagnosing any belt driven noise is to take the belt off. Spin all the pulleys by hand. If one doesn't spin freely, there ya go.

 

[GSpan]

Thanks Guys. If I would have taken the time to look into it more I would have figured it out before changing the the alternator, but shame on me I was in a hurry and didn't read more posts on the subject, and didn't hunt around under the hood more. On the other hand, I have 115000 miles, so eventually I was going to have to change the alternator anyway. By telling myself that, it hurts less knowinf I spent the money for no reason LOL. Thanks again.

 

['97 V8]

Dont be afraid to ask you know. We wont rip your head off hehe.

 

[Rhett]

Thanks Guys. If I would have taken the time to look into it more I would have figured it out before changing the the alternator, but shame on me I was in a hurry and didn't read more posts on the subject, and didn't hunt around under the hood more. On the other hand, I have 115000 miles, so eventually I was going to have to change the alternator anyway. By telling myself that, it hurts less knowinf I spent the money for no reason LOL. Thanks again.

Look on the bright side, now you have a spare alternator.

 

[GSpan]

Spare alyernator? I already carry way too much junk in the back, a spare alternator just may blow out a tire LOL