jewrican

I have a 2000 prelude with 185k on it with a JDM engine in it. I was driving today and heard a constant squeal coming from the engine bay that sounds metallic. It was much more prevalent at idle, and with a rev it seemed to disappear (although it may have just been drowned out by engine noise)

I took it straight to an NTB (yeah i know) by my house and had them listen to it. A mechanic came out and listened but could not identify it immediately. He removed my power steering belt and started the car again and the sound continued. He played with the AC and the sound came and got quieter. He then stated that it is the alternator.

1. Does this make sense?
2. If i were to replace it, can i use a stock US alternator / aftermarket equivelent?
3. Anything else you can think this is?

They want 500 bucks for the alternator and labor. The Alt alone is $339.

brotherdog

man, go to any autopart stores (autozone, oreily) take your old alternator off the car and get an after market alternator and you get a discount from the auto store for your old alternator. shouldnt be more than 150 bucks, then just replace it yourself.. yah you may have to take off the power steering pump to get to the alternator and you should also buy new belts for both PWS and the ALT. if you dont wanna mess with it have a mechanic replace it, mechanic should not charge you more than 50-60 bucks for labor.

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