2000 XLT squealing - new serp belt

[TXGirl]

Hey guys,

I have a 2000 XLT that's been making the generic fan belt squeak noise for several months. Repair shop replaced the serpentine belt which was really old as well as the tensioner. The squeak is persisting except that now it's more of a scream. A loud scream.

It's most noticible when I first start the car but it's not constant. The screaming noise has happened 4 times and only when I'm actually moving. Accellerating makes the scream change pitch. The repair shop is stumped but thinks there may be a pulley problem. Of course it has never squealed for them.

No other exciting side effects. CEL hasn't come on and the squeal happens both with the AC and without.

Any ideas?

 

[jimbo74]

check the bearings in the pulleys.... i always suspect alternators first, they get beat on....

 

[Spdrcer34]

On the front of your engine, you have 4 accessory pulleys:
1) Water Pump
2) Alternator
3) A/C Compressor
4) Power Steering Pump

There is also 1 Tensioner Pulley, and 1 Stationary Idler Pulley.

I would venture to guess that they only replaced 1 of the 2 non-accessory pulleys, and you need to have the other one replaced too.

This is something to get looked at ASAP too. I had the squealing for about 1 week before the pulley bearing totally seized on the highway and took out the belt with it. It was NOT pretty!


Good Luck!

Ryan

 

[TXGirl]

Thanks a bunch guys!

I'm taking it to the mechanic in the morning and I'll be sure to harass them about everything you've mentioned.

Thanks again.

 

[KPT]

Its probably the tensioner pulley. If the shop couldn't figure it out, never go there again. Take the belt off, spin every pulley by hand. The one that has bad bearings will be very obvious.