Today, while my car was running while I was standing in front of it I heard a strange noise coming from under the hood. I opened the hood, and it seems to be coming from the alternator. It's just kind of a scratching sound, but not real loud. Could this be the bearings going out on the alternator? If so, how long would I have before it seizes up? Also, I leaned into the drivers side area and noticed a faint ticking sound that sounded like it was coming from the either the valve cover, or maybe the exhaust. Any ideas on what that could be? The car is all original under the hood except the CAI. If I do have to change the alternator, how much do they run, and is it something I could do? I've changed several of them before, on other cars with much more room to work. Thanks.

 

Tonight when I started it up the screeching/scratching sound got much louder all of a sudden. I'ts got to be the alternator. Easy to change?

 

dude its 2 bolts

 

Yes swapping alternators is easy. That ticking sound your hearing can either be a exhaust leak or a loose rocker. Unless you messed with the rockers later I doubt it's them so it's probably a exhaust leak. Sometimes you can see the leak by carbon deposits on the head where the leak is at. Good Luck

Mike

 

That's not what I'm worried about, it's taking off that damn belt and then getting it on right again.

 

Dude it's easy the belt tensioner is right below the alternator. It's a simple pulley. Take a 3/8" driver and 13 mm socket ...I think and turn the bolt in the middle of the pulley to the right. It will pull the tensioner down and the belt will go slack. Take the belt off. When putting the belt back on just remember pulleys with rivets on them are for the riveted side of the belt. Flush pulleys are for the flush side of the belt. When putting the belt on remember to pull down on the tensioner again then put the belt on and you're done.