Average Costs?

[Kajia]

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.

[sierrap615]

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

[saturnspeed_12]

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.

[Kajia]

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?

[saturnspeed_12]

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.

[Kajia]

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.

[circeseye]

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

[nightbird]

"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.