alternator help please.

[crzylatina25]

The owner I bought my festiva from just replaced the alternator. It was fine at first but the v belt cut into the plastic cover on the side of the engine. It squeals horribly and belt has been contaminated by oil. I wanted to know if anyone has had this problem or knows the exact length and thickness for the belt. I've gone to the autoparts stores and they always give me the wrong one.

[iceracerdude]

Show a good picture, It's sounds like something was done wrong and just replacing the belt may not fix the problem.

[crzylatina25]

Its a little dark but I will take a pic now. How do I post a pic?

[iceracerdude]

You need to open an account at a picture hosting site like Image shack.
I'm imagining the previous owner leaving one of the bolts out when the replacement alternator was reinstalled, causing it to eventually get missaligned, shredding the belt and cover in the process.

[crzylatina25]

From what I saw there are 3 bolts on it but the belt was not tensioned right

[crzylatina25]

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[crzylatina25]

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[crzylatina25]

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[georgeb]

There are 2 bolts holding the alternator and 4 holding the top cover. One of the cover bolts is under the water pump pulley. The cover might be warped or some bolts missing. Where did the oil come from? Because there isn't any behind the cover unless there's a leak. Make sure everything is clearing with a crappy belt before you put a new one on.

[kartracer46]

EH, it's nothin! I just went through that with Twizted, it will quit in a day or so. It's a common issue. There is nothing wrong with the alternator, belt or water pump.

[crzylatina25]

i think it came from the valve cover or that plastic cover. i will check more thoroughly tomorrow. will the cover for the aspire fit since they have the same engines? the pull apart only has an aspire, i couldnt find a festiva anywhere.

[crzylatina25]

@kartracer46....are you sure because its been acting up for like a week and you can smell the plastic. theres also oil on the belt and a little on the alt pulley.

[kartracer46]

Yes the aspire cover will fit, If nothing else take off the top half of the cover and run it a few days. I would be willing to bet the cam seal is weeping a bit. You will see the trail down over the water pump if it is. If it is not then the crank seal may be your culprit for the small bit of oil.

[crzylatina25]

great thanks one more thing. if its weeping a bit could i get a higher viscosity oil till i get the seal(s) replaced? she only has 73k on her.

[kartracer46]

great thanks one more thing. if its weeping a bit could i get a higher viscosity oil till i get the seal(s) replaced? she only has 73k on her.

Add some CD2 in the black bottle for a few oil changes, it may soften the seal up good enough till you can get it replaced.