Idle Pulley Replacement 4.0 V6 Ranger

chux64 · 03-26-2010, 06:44 PM

I have been experiencing an intermittent noise (growl) under the hood of a 4.0 liter V6 Ranger for quite a while. It always stopped by the time I got the hood up and never could tell where it was coming from. An old trick I learned somewhere along the line worked today where I used an old piece of 3/8 rubber fuel line like a stethescope, one end in my ear and the other end moving around under the hood while the noise was happening. The noise stayed long enough today that I'm pretty sure I pinned it down as coming from the idler pulley.
I was wondering if it is it hard to take off and are there any torque requirements when I install the new one? I have an old Haynes Repair Manual but couldn't find anything in it about this subject.

*Sams01XplrSprt* · 03-27-2010, 02:00 AM

welcome

chux64 · 03-27-2010, 03:46 PM

Thanks for the welcome! It looks like, because I didn't read the rules first, I mistakenly put this post on the new member forum. Do I have to delete it and start over or can it be moved?
chux64

**Tbars4** · 03-27-2010, 05:08 PM

...You are fine as the Mod's will either move it to the "Under the Hood" section or the "Ranger" section...

...Pulling the pulley off and swapping it is relatively easy ...

chux64 · 03-29-2010, 05:01 PM

Thanks Tbars4 / I changed it out and as you said, it was easy. The hardest part was getting the old lock washer off the bolt. I put on some red locktite when re-installing the new pulley and bolt. The old pulley bearing was froze up!
Thanks
chux64

**Tbars4** · 03-29-2010, 10:40 PM

...Congrats on a job well done...

...Did you ever find the torque spec???..It may be useful to future readers...

chux64 · 03-30-2010, 12:46 PM

tbars4
I looked again, in the Haynes Repair Manual I have (1993 thru 1997 Ranger Pick-Ups) and could not find the torque spec on this part.
In an old thread written 05-17-2007 by 97AWDEXPLODER, he said to apply some red loctite to the bolt and reinstall the new idler pulley. So thats what I did. I tried to remember the amount of force and how it felt when I removed the bolt. It broke loose quite easily with a 1/2 inch drive 5/8 socket. But then switch to 3/8 drive to remove because it was physically smaller and didn't have a lot of room working around the fan blade. Reinstalled the new pulley and tightened with the 1/2 drive 5/8 socket. With the loctite on the bolt I guess it should be oK, as long as I didn't over tighten it.

Thanks again for your help
chux64

*Scott B.* · 03-30-2010, 12:58 PM

Just so you know,

the tensioner pulley is the same as the idler pulley BUT it is held on with a left-hand threaded bolt. (Don't ask how I know...)

03-26-2010, 06:44 PM	#1
chux64 Wannabe Elite Explorer Stetson Maine 97 Ranger Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 4 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	Idle Pulley Replacement 4.0 V6 Ranger I have been experiencing an intermittent noise (growl) under the hood of a 4.0 liter V6 Ranger for quite a while. It always stopped by the time I got the hood up and never could tell where it was coming from. An old trick I learned somewhere along the line worked today where I used an old piece of 3/8 rubber fuel line like a stethescope, one end in my ear and the other end moving around under the hood while the noise was happening. The noise stayed long enough today that I'm pretty sure I pinned it down as coming from the idler pulley. I was wondering if it is it hard to take off and are there any torque requirements when I install the new one? I have an old Haynes Repair Manual but couldn't find anything in it about this subject.

03-27-2010, 02:00 AM	#2
Sams01XplrSprt Southern Cali Explorer Newport Beach California & Bay Area California 2001 Sport (sold) Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 15,633 Vehicle Specs	welcome __________________ 2001 Ford Explorer Sport 4.0 sohc engine. Mods include: dual 40 series flowmasters & high flow k&n air filter & removed silencer & yellow fog lights (sold for $1,800) as of 2-26-12

03-27-2010, 05:08 PM	#4
Tbars4 Offroad Moderator anaheim hills,california 95 ranger 4x4/ 91 X 4x4 Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 21,956 Vehicle Specs	...You are fine as the Mod's will either move it to the "Under the Hood" section or the "Ranger" section... ...Pulling the pulley off and swapping it is relatively easy ... __________________ I have Rocks in my head. What's in yours? '95 ranger xl 4x4 2.3L std cab, 2 sticks Ranger RegistryThe Squirrel '91 4x4=To much to list, much more to add.. Project "X" and more Pics & Mod's List How to: Wheels,Tires, & Lifts... Buy Explorerforum.com Items here

03-29-2010, 10:40 PM	#6
Tbars4 Offroad Moderator anaheim hills,california 95 ranger 4x4/ 91 X 4x4 Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 21,956 Vehicle Specs	...Congrats on a job well done... ...Did you ever find the torque spec???..It may be useful to future readers... __________________ I have Rocks in my head. What's in yours? '95 ranger xl 4x4 2.3L std cab, 2 sticks Ranger RegistryThe Squirrel '91 4x4=To much to list, much more to add.. Project "X" and more Pics & Mod's List How to: Wheels,Tires, & Lifts... Buy Explorerforum.com Items here

03-30-2010, 12:58 PM	#8
Scott B. Elite Ranger GA '93 Ranger XLT, 06 FX4 L2 Join Date: Feb 1999 Posts: 2,457 Vehicle Specs	Just so you know, the tensioner pulley is the same as the idler pulley BUT it is held on with a left-hand threaded bolt. (Don't ask how I know...) __________________ Scott NRA Life Member EMT-I, UFWDA Chief Instructor 1993 Ranger XLT V8, Modified 2006 Ranger FX4 Level II, Modified

03-27-2010, 03:46 PM	#3
chux64 Wannabe Elite Explorer Stetson Maine 97 Ranger Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 4 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	Thanks for the welcome! It looks like, because I didn't read the rules first, I mistakenly put this post on the new member forum. Do I have to delete it and start over or can it be moved? chux64

03-29-2010, 05:01 PM	#5
chux64 Wannabe Elite Explorer Stetson Maine 97 Ranger Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 4 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	Thanks Tbars4 / I changed it out and as you said, it was easy. The hardest part was getting the old lock washer off the bolt. I put on some red locktite when re-installing the new pulley and bolt. The old pulley bearing was froze up! Thanks chux64

03-30-2010, 12:46 PM	#7
chux64 Wannabe Elite Explorer Stetson Maine 97 Ranger Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 4 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	tbars4 I looked again, in the Haynes Repair Manual I have (1993 thru 1997 Ranger Pick-Ups) and could not find the torque spec on this part. In an old thread written 05-17-2007 by 97AWDEXPLODER, he said to apply some red loctite to the bolt and reinstall the new idler pulley. So thats what I did. I tried to remember the amount of force and how it felt when I removed the bolt. It broke loose quite easily with a 1/2 inch drive 5/8 socket. But then switch to 3/8 drive to remove because it was physically smaller and didn't have a lot of room working around the fan blade. Reinstalled the new pulley and tightened with the 1/2 drive 5/8 socket. With the loctite on the bolt I guess it should be oK, as long as I didn't over tighten it. Thanks again for your help chux64