when I installed my alternator, I misplaced the bottom bolt, I believe I might have thrown it away in a bag when I didnt know the bolt was in there. I went to home depot today and saw a 4 inch 3/8 bolt. Im pretty sure that the bottom bolt of the alternator was 14mm. But I put the 3/8 bolt into the 14mm socket set, and it fits perfectly, however this mechanic is telling me that if I do that I will strip it, but it fits exactly. He was telling me to go to honda and get the correct bolt, what the hell? it seems right to me???

So my question is 3/8 equivilent to 14mm? It looks exactly like the same size the bottom bolt of the alternator was when I took it out, and I bought it in 4 inches and 4.5 inches long just incase the 4 inches was too small. I want to get this in because right now im driving my civic without the bottom alternator bolt, and its mounted from the top, and the bottom is slowly slipping out of place when I hit bumps and all, and the last thing I need is my alternator belt to snap or break off completely.

 

 

Dont matter. As long as it keeps it in place....the bolt has nothing
to do with the electrical systems. It's like putting duck tape to hold up
a bumper. If it holds, then use it.........if it doesn't then fix it.

 

thats exactly what I was thinking...just wanted to be reassured on it. I never wanted to believe this guy anyways. Hes really old, and I have seen him work on cars before but this just didnt fit together.

 

you will strip the threads...

while the head of the bolt might be the same size, metric bolts and nuts are metric for reasons other than the head...

 

so your saying if i try and install this 3/8 bolt and nut, that I will strip the nut and then be screwed?

 

Okay so anyways I went ahead and used that bolt just now to mount the bottom of the alternator and it fit just fine nice and tight, and it didnt thread off. When I started my car no squeaking or anything but This hissing noise is still there. This is a new 160amp alternator that I bought brand new, all the connections are connected right, but I dont know what this hissing sound is. The belt is nice and tight, not too tight, and definately not loose. Maybe you can watch the video I have made to let me know what could be the cause of the hissing noise. I think maybe some WD40 on the belt to make it glide better? I dont know.

Would WD40 screw anything up? I dont know much about cars like all of you. what should I do? Thanks!!

Video here:

http://s164.photobucket.com/albums/u14/krisfnbs/?action=view¤t=video.flv

 

any input on that video guys?

 

Just got back from this gas station, and this guy looked at it real quick and said that it was some sort of bearing sounds loose with the timing belt, or with some sort of pulley or something...come on guys help me out Please!

 

it might be from your ac compressor .. definately sounds like it .. only way of fixing it is gettin a new ac compressor