[bnoon]

Parking lot alternator replacement. The pulley was too worn on the old alternator and it had been chewing up the new belt ever since I put it together. I went one day too long... belt snapped and wrapped itself around the water pump pulley, causing the power steering belt to snap. No cooling, no power steering, no charging. Luckily an OReilly's auto parts store was 3.8 miles away. I left the hood up for about 20 minutes to cool it down, then made the sprint to the shop. Made it just as temp was gurgling the radiator overflow bottle, never overheated - WHEW!

Purchased a 15 dollar SAE socket set, new 3 year warranty belts (19 and 14 dollars), and a 1 year warranty alternator for 34 dollars. The alternator tried to throw me a curve with a 10mm nut for the power wire, but my multi-tool pliers were able to get it done. Finished just before a HUGE thunderstorm hit the area (ground is wet from small shower just before I broke down). God I love cheap parts and good timing.