2006 4.0 L Drive Belt problems

[raff54]

Recently my drive belt started squealing so I decided to replace it(75K on the explorer) and I went to auto zone and got their replacement belt, and it didnt fit, I tried 2 of their belts and neither fit. I then ordered the factory replacement from Ford and it doesn't fit either. By doesn't fit I mean I can take the belt on and off with out having to undo the tensioner. I can put the old belt back on and it fits fine it is just worn. Any Ideas???

 

[michael loibl]

Lay new belt out flat with old belt to make sure they are same size. If they are, good chance you are routing the belt wrong and thus it would seem to long. Many times people don't go around the water pump the right way. I did it once on an old chevy cavalier back in the 90's!

 

[raff54]

The routing is the same for both belts.

 

[fritz24]

As mentioned, does the new and old belt have the same length? Is the new belt seem too loose? Could be your tensioner

 

[raff54]

I will check the belts against each other I assumed that with the same part number they would have the same length. The tensioner is zeroed out with the new belt(way past the replacement indicator mark) and is past the wear indicator with the old. My next step after work is to take the belt off and compare lengths.

 

[MotorCityFats13]

when ever I buy a belt I take off the old belt in the parking lot and take it in and say.... i need this belt size to avoid computer problems... every time i used to just ask for a belt it never fit... there is a large selection of belts in the back room and anything could have caused this problem but with you going through different venders its unlikely... I would vote that your tensioner is worn out

 

[fritz24]

Is this the part number you bought? Motorcraft 8620(JK6-865-A). If this belt appears to be little bit longer than the old one, then you might consider replacing your tensioner as I said earlier.

 

[raff54]

The belts were an inch too long and the tensioner was going bad.