Average Costs?

Ok, I took my car to a Saturn dealer and found out what was really wrong with my car. Can anyone tell me about what each of these would cost in a shop and/or if I did it myself?

1. ECT Sensor
2. EGR Valve
3. Alternator
4. Idler Pulley
5. T.A. Mount

The dealer wanted to charge $75 for #1, $270 for #2, $250 for #3, $157 for #4, and $130 for #5.

if DIY:
1. $10-20
2. if cleaning - $5-7, if replacing - unknown
3. $100 + a big headache
4. $20?
5. $50?

hey you know i can help you through it. you can do that stuff yourself, but the alternator i doubt. im thinking with the whole alternator/idler pulley you might want to check the belt tensioner first then messing with either of those.

but i guess we were right about your codes pertaining to the egr. at least you know now.

Well, my car is making a sound that kind of sounds like a small jet engine, and I'm told that it's the alternator letting me know it wants to die.

So, should I start acquiring parts (well, when payday comes) then have someone just walk me through it?

so its whinning pretty loud? and yeah you can go ahead and get most of the parts, and i should be able to walk you through what needs to be done.

Yes, the noise is very noticeable. And, sometimes when the car is cold and I am driving down the road, as I am accelerating, there's an even louder higher pitched whining noise.

i just replaced the Alternator in my 96 sl2 and it was a bad headache.
jack passenger front wheel off ground - remove wheel
in the left side of the passenger wheel well is a removable plastic panel - remove
the alternator is in view
now shrink your hands and arms about the size of a 6 year old and you can get to all the stuff to remove it :rolleyes:

"as I am accelerating, there's an even louder higher pitched whining noise"

I just removed that sound in the passenger side engine compartment this weekend. I call it the rimmmm-RIMMMM RRRIIIIMMMM sound, getting a higher rimmm each time you change gears. Replacing the idler pulley brought my 94 SL1 back to a sweet quiet hum.

Idler pulley, tune up, fuel filter air filter- parts 209, labor 60. High charge, but the mechanics are honest and reliable, and I dont want these guys to leave. High insurance rates, it is hard to keep good businesses here (they just had a big robbery there where someone drives a truck throught a window door and then cleans them out). That pulley changed everything. Car is now running cooler, and more pick up. Worth every penney.

I am hearing that sound in so many older gm and ford cars. You probably do too, because your ears get tuned. I think some parts supplier was selling inferior equipment because that sound is all over store parking lots where I live.