Top 10 2001 Oldsmobile Alero Questions & Answers

You need to first jack the car off the ground, the fuel filter is located in front of the fuel tank. A new fuel filter is inexpensive and easy to find. One end of the filter needs to be disconnected with a wrench, around 5/8". The other end is a very simple, somewhat fragile plastic clip that should be no problem to disconnect once you look at it for a minute or so. Make sure and keep lots of rags handy, because once you unhook the filter, it will leak all over the place. Once you have the old one out, installing the new one will be simple.

How do you turn off or reset the "Service Engine Soon " light off without taking my Infinity I35 to dealer. Trying to avoid $200.00 dealer charge!

That's indicative of a wheel bearing, which is why you were told to change that out. However, it's also possible that the carrier bearings in the differential (where the drive axles attach) have gone bad. That happened to me on my 300ZX several years ago, and I had to replace the diff bearings. I would have them checked out somewhere other than a dealer (you'll probably get a better price from an independent shop).

As a sidenote, to be sure it wasn't a wheel bearing, if you hear it quiet down in a turn one way but get louder in a turn the opposite way, it's likely the wheel bearing. If you turn left at speed and it gets louder, then it's the right bearing (since you're loading up that side of the car). If it gets quieter in a right turn, it's the right side (you're unloading that side of the car and not putting as much weight on it, so it doesn't drag as badly). See if you get that symptom just to be sure that the wrong side front wheel bearing wasn't changed.

yes you can do it yourself the egr valve is located on the exaust manifold closest to the fire wall unfortunately it has to be replace. it has an electronic lead to it and is vaccum operated to replace it is not a difficult task. the part can be purchased at a Napa or Oreilly's for alot less than at a dealership. just make sure your gasket surfaces are clean for replacement of new gaskets. if you have a code reader than can reset the code that is a benefit however if you do not you have to have a scan tool to reset the code. please rate the solution....thanks

Brute force - you have to pry up the tensioner pulley. The way we did it was put the belt over the alternator and A/C compressor, and get it back in place around the main bearing pulley. Then we took a bar and forced up the tensioner and slid the belt over the main bearing pulley. Voila . . .

By the timing belt cover:

under your dash on the drivers side. open the door, kneel down and look under the steering wheel.

The radiator drain plug is on the lower left front (drivers side) of the radiator. To access it you may have to remove the front air dam. It is a white plastic plug and requires a Torx socket to loosen (sorry but not sure of the exact size of the Torx socket). Insert Torx and turn counter clockwise a half turn. Pull the plug out using a pliers until fluid begins to drain. Be careful because this is a plastic plug and may break easily. When fluid is finished draining simply push the plug in and turn clockwise half a turn with the Torx socket to secure.

Grab a pair of channel locks to get a good grip on the cap and twist counter clockwise. The back pressure created in the tank from the gas depleting can make the cap seem impossible to remove.

The fuse for the cigarette lighter and accessory power outlet on your Alero should be located in the engine compartment fuse block. Marked minifuse #34. Good luck!