I replaced my alternator last week with the help of tips from Diesel and Daniel. Now, I've got a short-lived squealing noise that occurs during starts. I think the belt is tightened enough. A guy at the auto parts store look things over and thought that the tension pulley had too much side to side play in it. Said maybe it needs replacement? Any thoughts? If the pulley needs replacement, any tips for the DIY.

Thanks,

Jim

Squeal upon engine start-up is characteristic of a belt which is not tight enough.

If the tensioner is defective it would have squealed with the old alternator too.

The tensioner pulley has a tension adjuster and also a lock bolt. The lock bolt is located at the center of the pulley. Verify that you tightened the tensioner pulley lock bolt. It is this one: http://integra.vtec.net/geeser/megam...assy_close.jpg

I would check to make sure belt deflection (how much you can tug and pull on it) is within specs. I believe both the Chiltons and Haynes manuals has directions on how to do this.