Fan Belt squeal

[Deak]

Hi,

On my 97 4.0 sohc I have an occasional squeal on startup (for about a half a sec). However when it gets cold at night ( I work second shift) when I go to start it I get the squeal for half a sec or so and drive off then when I slow down to a corner or stop the belt slips and squeals and the lights go dim etc. I assumed it was a result of moisture/ice on the belt because when it run for 15 minutes or so it goes away engine gets warm enough to dry off the belt. I also found out it does this less with the heater fan turned off. I know the AC works it's done this two winters in a row and ac has worked both times after. Do I need a new tensioner and belt? with 98k on the odometer and the original tensioner I am sure its worn. Would this fix it?

TIA

Deak

 

[aldive]

Often your symptoms can be traced to either a faulty idler and/or a faulty tensioner.

Good luck resolving your problem.

 

[trucku]

Same issue in this thread. I posted 2 links in it also that may help.

 

[marragtop]

I suggest taking the belt off and spinning each pulley to try and isolate the problem. Also, if it's the original belt, I'd replace it. Inspect it either way.

 

[Mk3]

Son of a gun!

I had the same problem. The original belt on my 98 SOHC was ready to go after 100k miles. Installed the new belt and then I got the cold start chirps. Real embarrasing at times. So I replaced the obvious, new Ford dealer part tensioner, didn't help. SO maybe its the idler pulley I thought, nope, replaced that one too. Still having the cold start chirps. Dammit, I pulled the belt off and gave it a start and no chirp. Spun all the drive wheels and nothing. Put the belt back on and the damn chirp is still there. Got another new belt from the dealer this time and sure enough!!!! Damn aftermarket belt... Now I wish I would've bought the dealer belt in the first place. Would've saved me a hundred bucks!

 

[trucku]

Once the belt starts chirping even though you changed your accessories pulley, you might still have to replace the belt. The belt gets all glazed over inside and effectively is ruined.
BUT don't forget to clean them pulleys....