Alternator belt am trying to replace the alternator belt on my 1.5l. there is no bottom bolt, it is a pin, the top bolt is so close to the cover for the timing chain I cant get a socket on it. When I put the open end of a wrench on the top bolt the wrench rests against the alternator itself and doesn't allow me to loosen it, but I have rounded it some :/ I have loosened the long bolt that adjusts tension and the bolt that holds the thing it screws into... any help would be fantastic. thanks in advance.

In order to change the Alternator on 1998 Neon, you will need a 15 mm wrench and 15 mm Socket, 10mm, 13mm and 8mm Sockets. 5/16 socket for hose clamp removal or screw driver + vise grips for removing other types of hose clamps and 3/8 and 1/2 inch ratchets.Chock rear wheel and loosen lug nuts. Jack the car up and secure with jack stands. Remove the wheel and the inner fender cover.
Remove the Neg - cable at the battery.
Remove the air filter cover prying up the 2 metal clips from the rear.Remove the air filter housing by removing the 2- 13mm bolts that hold the air filter bracket onto the engine. Remove the clamp on the Air hose that has the EGR valve attached and slide aside.Remove the vacuum hose that drapes over the air filter hose at the master cylinder and slide out of way. Remove the big air hose connected to the filter housing and the engine.Remove the bracket/airfilter housing assembly.
Remove the coolant overflow reservoir 1- 13mm bolt and a 10mm nut.Disconnect the overflow hose and slide aside.Remove the reservoir.
Using a 15mm wrench (use the boxend backwards. Attack it from the top) or from below, a short 15mm socket loosen top bolt on the alternator.
Loosen the lower bolt so that the alternator can be adjusted to loosen the belt.
Loosen the 13mm bolt that puts tension on the alternator position.The bolt head faces toward the rear and is at the top of the alternator.
Now, in order to remove the belt completely once the tension is removed, the outer belt also has to be removed.
Under the hood.Put a pan under the car to catch the coolant that drips out.Remove the Big Water hose from the fitting to the right of the steering pump.Slide it aside and note a SQUARE on the power steering bracket and an Adjustment bolt that is on the rear of the power steering pump.Loosen the adjustment bolt. Using a 1/2 inch Ratchet, place the ratchet in the square with the ratchet set on Loosen, pull the ratchet towards you and the belt will slacken. Under the car, Remove the belt just off the crank pulley.Remove the Alternator belt and set aside.
On the rear of the alternator there are 2 electrical connections.1 connection is a plug, and the other is on a stud with a 10mm nut.Remove the electrical plug.Mine just squeezed and released.Other's have a RED TAB that needs to be pulled away from the plug as it locks the plug in place.Once the red tab has been pulled slightly out, you can squeeze and remove the plug.Remove the other electrical connection with a 10mm socket ( don't lose the nut.you may want to put a small piece of tissue on your socket before engaging the nut.This will hold the nut when it's off).
Remove the Top bolt to the alternator.Remove the bottom bolt.Remove 3 bolts 15mm to the right side of the Alternator.This is the alternator bracket.It's the only thing holding the alternator in place and also preventing the removal of the Alternator.Remove the bracket and alternator.
Installation
Replace alternator, top bolt first but don't tighten yet.Replace bracket Tighten Bolts. Replace bottom bolt.Don't tighten yet.Replace Alternator/crank pulley shaft belt on the inside track of the pulley and around alternator.Tighten belt with the Adjustment Bolt to 1/4 to 1/2 inch play.Tighten Top and bottom alternator bolts.Replace Electrical Connections on Alternator.
Tighten the power steering pump belt by setting the 1/2 inch ratchet in the tighten position and while in the square, push the ratchet away from you and tighten the Adjustment bolt on the back of the steering pump.Same belt tension.
Replace the Water hose.Replace the Coolant reservoir.Replace the Air Cleaner Housing.Replace the large air hose and make sure the metal tube goes back into the top of the valve cover and you don't trap the EGR assembly that clamps to the air hose.Replace the vacuum hose that was removed from the master cylinder.Replace air filter.Connect Neg - battery cable.
Replace inside fender covering.Replace Tire. Tighten to specs.
HOPE THIS HELPS, BILL

Place the drain pan under the radiator drain plug, open the plug and allow it to drain. Close the plug. Loosen the four nuts on the water pump pulley but do not remove them yet. Loosen the adjusting bolts in the alternator and the power steering pump with a wrench, push them away from the belts and remove the belts.

2Remove the bolts securing the fan shroud to the radiator support using a 10 mm socket. Remove the four nuts on the water pump pulley, then remove the fan and shroud as an assembly. Remove the bolts in the crankshaft pulley using a socket. Loosen and remove the crankshaft bolt using a socket.

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Remove the top radiator hose. Extract all the 10 mm bolts securing the top and bottom timing covers and remove the covers.

4Install the crankshaft bolt temporarily. Use a socket on the bolt and turn the crankshaft clockwise until the mark on the crankshaft sprocket aligns with the timing mark on the block at the 12 o'clock position. Look at the camshaft sprockets and make sure the left sprocket has the "I" facing straight up and the right sprocket has the "E" facing up. At the same time, notice that there is a line on each sprocket adjacent to each mark--make sure they line up with the notch on the cylinder head at 12 o'clock. This allows for perfect alignment. If they do not come close to aligning, rotate the crankshaft one more time and they will align.

5Loosen the tensioner bolt and push the tensioner away from the belt. Loosely tighten the bolt to maintain position. Remove the belt.

6Install the new belt starting on the right side away from the tensioner. Keep all the tension on the right side. Loosen the tensioner bolt and allow it to apply tension on the belt. Do not tighten the bolt yet. Rotate the engine two turns clockwise and re-align the timing marks. Tighten the tensioner bolt to 35 foot-pounds.

7Install the timing belt covers. Remove the crankshaft bolt and install the crankshaft pulley. Reinstall the bolt and tighten. Install the radiator shroud and fan as an assembly. Place the fan on the water pump pulley, install the four nuts loosely, install the bolts in the fan shroud and tighten.

8Install the belts around the crank pulley, water pump pulley and alternator and pull the alternator up to tension the belt and tighten the bolts using a socket. Tighten the water pump pulley nuts using a wrench.

9Install the belt on the power steering pump, pull the pump out to tension the belt and tighten the bolts. Install the upper radiator hose. Fill the radiator with antifreeze

Thank you for the inquiry.




Disconnect the negative (black) cable from the battery.

Remove all accessories that are in the way of the timing belt cover. The Intrepid's 3.5 liter engine and small engine bay make for very cramped working conditions; it is thus necessary to remove all engine accessories so that you can properly work on the timing belt. Begin by loosening the tension bolt on the alternator with a belt tensioner, then use a socket wrench to remove the bolts on the water pump, air condition compressor and power steering pump.

Remove the four bolts on the top timing belt cover, using a socket wrench, then remove the cover.

Use a jack to lift the front end of the Intrepid and place the front end securely on two jack stands. Get underneath the engine.

Remove the three bolts on the bottom timing belt cover, using a socket wrench, then remove the cover.

Use the belt tensioner to put some slack into the timing belt, then remove the belt from the pulleys with your hands.

Line up the pulleys, so that the engine is at the top dead center and the two marks on the camshaft are lined up with the marks on the cams.

Place the new timing belt over the pulleys, making sure not to move any of the pulleys in either direction.

Use the tensioner to tighten the belt.

Reattach the top and bottom timing belt covers and secure them in place, using the bolts you had removed earlier.

Reattach all of the accessories you have removed (in any order), using a socket wrench. When done, place the belts over the pulleys and return tension to them by using the belt tensioner to tighten the tension bolt on the alternator.

Attach the negative (black) battery cable to the battery.

Removal and Installation L4-2.5L (QR25DE) Engines To Remove:

1. Before servicing the vehicle refer to the precautions at the beginning of this section.
2. Remove or disconnect the following:
   • Negative battery cable
   • Engine cover
   • Front/right-side engine undercover
   • Drive belt
   • Alternator harness connector
   • Engine ground wire from top mount
   • Alternator upper and lower mounting bolts
3. Set the alternator aside and remove the top mount.
4. Remove the alternator.

To Install:

1. Slide alternator in place.
2. Install or connect the following:
   • Alternator top mount
   • Alternator upper and lower mounting bolts
   • Engine ground wire from top mount
   • Alternator harness connector
   • Drive belt
   • Front/right-side engine undercover
   • Engine cover
   • Negative battery cable

V6-3.5L (VQ35) To Remove:

1. Before servicing the vehicle refer to the precautions at the beginning of this section.
2. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
3. Drain coolant from the radiator into a suitable container.
4. Remove or disconnect the following:
   • Radiator
   • Front/right-side engine under cover
   • Drive belt
   • Idler pulley
   • Alternator adjustable top mount
   • Alternator lower mount bolt and nuts
   • Alternator lower front bracket bolt
   • Alternator harness connectors
   • Alternator

To Install:

1. Install or connect the following:
   • Alternator in place
   • Alternator harness connectors
   • Alternator lower front bracket bolt
   • Alternator lower mount bolt and nuts
   • Alternator adjustable top mount
   • Idler pulley
   • Drive belt
   • Front/right-side engine under cover
   • Radiator
2. Replace the engine coolant.
3. Connect the negative battery cable.
4. Start the engine and check for leaks.
5. Recheck coolant level and top off as needed.

To Install:
NOTE: Clean balancer belt drive pulley, timing belt pulleys and upper/lower timing cover prior to belt installation.

1. Set timing belt drive pulley to TDC by aligning dimple on pulley with dimple on oil pump.
   
   
2. Set camshaft pulley to TDC so that "UP" mark is at top and grooves align with top of cylinder head. Timing belt installation
   
   
3. Starting with driver pulley, install timing belt in a counterclockwise sequence.
4. Loosen and ten retighten adjusting nut.
5. Install balancer belt drive pulley. NOTE: Inspect rubber seal on lower cover and replace as necessary.
   
6. Install lower cover.
7. Install crankshaft pulley and bolt.
8. Rotate crankshaft pulley counterclockwise several times to seat belt.
9. Loosen adjusting nut 1 turn.
10. Rotate crankshaft counterclockwise 3 teeth on camshaft pulley.
11. Tighten adjusting nut to 33 ft lb (44 Nm).
    
    
12. Turn crankshaft pulley until TDC is achieved.
    
    
13. Ensure that camshaft pulley "UP" mark is at top and grooves align with top of cylinder head.
14. Remove crankshaft pulley and lower cover.
15. Rotate crankshaft to TDC again and lock timing belt adjuster arm with a 6 mm timing cover bolt.
16. Loosen adjuster nut 1 turn and ensure that belt tensioner freely moves.
17. Push tensioner up and tighten adjusting nut. Balancer shaft alignment
    
    
18. Remove bolt and washer from maintenance hole.
19. Using a 6 X 100 mm bolt, scribe a mark 2.9 in (74 mm) from end.
20. Insert bolt into maintenance hole and hole in balancer shaft.
21. Install bolt up to scribed line. Balancer shaft alignment
    
    
22. Align groove on balancer shaft with pointer on oil pump housing.
23. Install balancer belt and loosen adjusting nut 1 turn to tension.
24. Retighten bolt. Balancer shaft alignment
    
    
25. Remove bolt from maintenance hole and install bolt and washer. Tighten to 22 ft lb (29 Nm).
26. Reinstall crankshaft pulley.
27. Loosen adjusting nut 1 turn.
28. Rotate crankshaft pulley counterclockwise 1 turn and tighten adjusting nut.
29. Remove bolt from timing belt adjuster arm. NOTE: Inspect rubber seal on lower cover and replace as necessary.
    
30. Remove crankshaft pulley.
31. Install lower cover.
32. Install seal at adjusting nut. NOTE: Crankshaft pulley, bolt and washer must be cleaned prior to installation.
    
33. Lubricate crankshaft pulley bolt between head and washer and bolt threads with clean engine oil.
    
    CAUTION
    Do not use impact wrench to perform following step.
    
34. Install crankshaft pulley and tighten bolt using special tools to 181 ft lb (245 Nm).
35. Install dipstick/tube assembly.
36. Install upper cover. Tighten bolts to 9 ft lb (12 Nm).
37. Install cylinder head cover.
38. Install alternator bracket and alternator.
39. Install power steering pump belt and alternator belt. Upper bracket installation
    
    
40. Install upper bracket and tighten fasteners in proper numbered sequence.
41. Install stop.
42. Install battery and enter radio anti-theft code.

This alternator has two mounting bolts, one on top (adjuster) and one at bottom (main bolt) You need to untight the top one but not completely, take the poly belt of. Than take the bottom bolt out and remove top one when holding the alternator. Put the new one in place but this time use the bottom bolt first, do not tight it completely, than put the belt on the pulley and use the top bolt. You will need to tight the bottom bolt, than pull the alternator with some bar but gentle to get the belt tight, hold it and than tight the top bolt.

GET YOURSELF A LONG 15MM RENCH AND LOSEN THE TOP BOLT OF THE ALTERNATOR YOU CAN SEE IT RIGHT BEHIND THE TIMEING BELT COVER.
NOW JACK UP THE CAR , REMOVE THE TIRE AND CRAWL UNDERNEATH . LOOSEN UP THE BOLT ON THE BOTTOM OF THE ALTERNATOR.
ON THE BACK PART OF THE TOP ALTERNATOR BRACKET IS A TENSIONING BOLT, AND IF DODGE HASNT CHANGED THE SIZE ITS A 13MM. YOU HAVE TO GET YOUR ARM BACK HEHIND THERE AND WITH A 13MM ON A RATCHET WRENCH LOSEN THE TENSIONER UNTIL YOU CAN PUSH THE ALTERNATOR FORWARD ENOUGH TO GET THE BELT OFF OF THE CRANK SHAFT PULLY.
REPLACE THE SAME WAY YOU TOOK IT OFF.

Since your friend just replaced the timing belt, there wouldn't be a need to replace the oil pump O-ring and crankshaft seal unless they were leaking.

No, you cannot get to the oil pump unless the crankshaft, lower timing belt cover and belt are removed.

I have the same exact car with the same engine and just replaced the oil pump O-ring and crankshaft seal. I'm a good mechanic, but this is a tedious and time consuming job, but It can be done if you have good mechanic skills.


VERY IMPORTANT.
There is a big chance that the car's engine timing will be off, have someone who is knowledgeable to set the engine timing. If you don't and try to start the car, serious engine damage will probably occur.

ALSO IMPORTANT.
When you get the oil pump off removed all the old O-ring the new oil ring will not stay in place, I used petroleum jelly to keep the ring in place, it's perfectly safe and won't affect the operation of the oil pump.

If your not sure you can do the repair yourself, take it to a mechanic.