Squeaking noise from belts or pulleys...

'96explorereddiebauer · September 2, 2004

Alright...I have another problem. In addition to my coolant in my engine oil problem, there's also an another problem. When the engine is cold...well, even when it's hot, I noticed this squeaking noise. And it corresponds to the engine speed so I know for sure it's coming from the belts. So I opened the hood and started to listen hard and found out that the noise is from the alternator pulley. I don't think it's the tensioner because I couldn't hearing anything down there but the noise is the loudest at or near the alternator. But anyways, I sprayed some silicone spray down where the bearings of the pulley might be and that noise stopped for a day and now, it's even louder. Can anyone shed some light to this problem?? Do I need a new alternator, even though it charges fine??

smiley1 · September 2, 2004

I had the same symptoms too. Dealer replaced the alternator under extended warranty. While you have the belt off, replace your idler pulleys as well as mine went soon after the alternator.

Anime · September 2, 2004

Sometimes a rhythmic squeak-squeak-squeak is caused by the belt itself. If it looks very glossy and slick, or if its been on there so long you can't remember when it was replaced, or you have never replaced it, try a new one. A good high quality Gates belt (some like the Goodyear gatorback belts too) should do the trick. I do recall some noise problems with the pulleys, but you might want to try just replacing the belt first to be sure, since it wouldn't be a bad idea to replace the belt after replacing the pulleys anyway.

huskyfan23 · September 2, 2004

Maybe the idler pulley. I replaced mine and the squeeks are gone. I still get the occasional on a cold day though.

'96explorereddiebauer · September 2, 2004

Thanks for all the opinions!! The belt, a Motorcraft part, was replaced last year so I really doubt it's the belts problem. I guess I should go to the autoparts store and get some belt dressing. BTW, how does that work?

If the belt dressing doesn't work, then I'll be working on replacing the pulleys, I guess the tensioner needs to be replaced anyway b/c it's original.

bigred93explrer · September 2, 2004

I have the same problem. Belt does not need to be replaced in my situation either. I got Prestone belt dressing and that made the problem even worse. The squeek became even more annoying. To save my sanity I sprayed a tiny bit of wd40 on the tops of the pulleys where the belt runs on and it barely does it anymore. I have no idea what to do and if wd40 can be bad on the belt but no damage done here.

Anime · September 2, 2004

I would strongly advise against the belt dressing. I'm sure some people use it, but it's just marketing of a liquid-fix-it for whats usually a mechanical issue. When a belt is gone, its gone, and needs to be replaced. Spraying anything on it will just make it slip on the pulleys and squeak even louder. Gets all over, flies off when the belt is zipping around and makes a mess too.

I would suggest just replacing the alternator or tensioner pulley if you believe those are the culprits, or the belt if the replacement pulleys don't fix the squeak. Last year was nine months ago, so the belt can wear smooth that quickly if its been slipping. I had a belt go squeaky just a few months after buying it, wound up having to buy a new one to cure the squeak-squeak-squeak.

LiQuiD7EpHeN · September 5, 2004

Try looking at the tensioner pully, look at the bracket that holds the pully assembly to the block and look at the pully unit its self if theres a uneven gap or your serpentine belt is riding the edge of the pully get a new one. I had a problem. it sounded like I had a cricket under the hood it drove me nuts! it turned out it was the cheap design if the tensioner that failed @ 60k

j602 · September 5, 2004

In my case, which sounds a lot like yours, it was the alternator itself. Took the belt off and hand turned everything on the serpentine system and it turned to be a squeaky alternator. I have since learned to live with it.

'96explorereddiebauer · September 6, 2004

Eek...lets hope it's not my alternator. I wanted to replace the tensioner pulley this past weekend but spending time with the girlfriend was more important so this plan has put back until next week. I'll update this thread once I'm done. Thanks very much for all the advise!!

joelshakmn · April 22, 2008

I have a 1999 Ranger that has an annoying squeak. It doesn't always squeak. It will squeak more when it is humid out but their really is no rhyme or reason to when it does it...pretty much whenever it wants. I have replaced the alternator, idle pulley, and the tensioner and it still does it. I haven't replaced the belt, it doesn't look like it needs to be replaced but due to process of elimination I am running out of choices. Does anyone have any suggestions? Thanks.

mmeriaux · June 1, 2008

Belt on my wife's 2004 Explorer 6-cyl started squeaking at 46k miles. Belt "looks" OK, so I used some belt dressing last weekend. Everything was good for a while, now the noise is back. I am in the middle of replacing the belt itself - easy enough, but wanted to post a pic for others to comment on. While the old belt is off, I hand-checked all of the pulleys - they spin freely, so not likely a pulley/bearing issue. There is some "rubbery build-up" (or could be wear) on the main engine pulley that drives the belt. Is this wear normal? Should this pulley be replaced? How difficult is this?

mmeriaux · June 19, 2008

Okay, after more research, the "main engine pulley" is AKA the Harmonic Balancer. This part is worn after only 46k miles, don't know why. I've ordered a new one and will be replacing it early next week (and a new high-quality belt along with it!)

I'll let everyone know how it goes......and maybe some pics of the process (maybe helpful to others).

I hope this cures the damned squealing!!!

aldive · June 19, 2008

How do you know the damper/pulley is bad?

manaen · June 19, 2008

Your arrow is pointing to an area that the belt doesn't ride on, the belt rides on the slotted area towards the back of the pulley. How do you know the dampener is bad :scratch: cause I've never heard of one going "bad" . And if you are going to replace it, why don't you put an underdrive pulley on, then you will reap some additional power and better MPG for your labor of love

Did you check to make sure all the accessories are lined up properly? I had a new alternator once that was off by about 1/8" it caused all kinds of squealing until I loosened the bolts and aligned everything. Also did you check the tensioner and idler pulleys, although at 46k I doubt they are bad, unless you drive in very dirty situations all the time.

mmeriaux · June 19, 2008

manaen said:
Your arrow is pointing to an area that the belt doesn't ride on

Nope, The belt rides on the front of the pulley exactly where the arrow is pointing - it is in correct alignment with the other pulleys. Unless there is some way to "adjust" that pulley about an inch further towards the fan. There is a rubbery surface/coating on that portion of the pulley. In the pic, you can see where there are "chunks" missing around the perimeter. There is also an outer flange that appears to be very worn (or gone).

I'll double-check the alignment of all the other pulleys with a straight-edge, but everything looked like it's lined up properly.

Since I've already tested, changed, or ruled out any other options, I don't know what else could be wrong. Hopefully, when the new Balancer arrives, I will be able to take some pictures of the worn part and the replacement one for everyone else to see.

aldive · June 19, 2008

mmeriaux said:
Nope, The belt rides on the front of the pulley exactly where the arrow is pointing -

Mine rides on the grooved part. In fact, mine doesn't have the part shown on the front of yours.

The pictures are both the stock and the underdrive dampar/pulley.

manaen · June 19, 2008

Is it possible the rubber cussion wore out and the actual pulley part slid back towards the engine?

If you grab the grooved part, does it move at all? can you slide it forward?

manaen · June 19, 2008

yeah you know I just looked at your photos again, that is exactly what happened, somehow the pully part got pushed back against the engine and your belt is now riding on where the rubber cushion was mounted. Wow that is a first for me !!!

I've never seen one come apart like that...

mmeriaux · June 20, 2008

Now that's the help that I'm talking about..........I knew something didn't LOOK right!

Both of your explanations help clear things up.......got a new part on the way.
In the meantime, I'll check to see if there's any play in the grooved part of the pulley (it DOES look like it has separated and slid back towards the engine).

Wifey's been puttin' a few miles on the car with it currently as-is.

I'll try and get her to stay close to home until I can get it fixed!!

Squeaking noise from belts or pulleys...

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