First post, first Explorer, have some questions...

[92muddyXJ]

Hey everyone, I have been all over this forum looking at pics and different threads learning a lot. This is a great site!

I'm 22 and have owned probably over 15 vehicles. A few that I can think of are, an old '86 Olds Cutlass, '85 C10 Chevy 3/4 ton pickup, three Cherokees, a Wrangler, 95F150, old Accord, old S10, all the way up to an '08 Kia Spectra, and a '10 Tacoma.

Long story short, the new Tacoma was killing me with the payments so I sold it and needed a cheap daily driver. Just so happened a friend of mine's boss was selling an Explorer he has had since it was just a couple years old. Well, I bought it
It's a 1997 Sport, 4.0, 4x4, factory limited slip, and just over 211,000 miles. Runs and drives pretty good considering the mileage. Power everything and it all works. I bought it from him for $1,000!

Here is the main issue that I can't figure out.
1. It squeels right at start up and every now and then while driving but it's mostly just at start up then it goes away after a second or two. Could it be just a belt, or something else?

Other than that, it's just got normal issues for it's age and mileage, it needs leaf springs and shocks as well as ball joints. Other than just these few things, it is a great little daily driver. I got a great deal on it and the best part is, it's PAID for! I will never have another car payment....ever! Thanks for any advice you can give me, and thanks for a great site for Explorers!

 

[ragajungle]

Welcome!

The squeal could be something as simple as a worn belt or tensioner, or it could be a more involved repair like a crankshaft damper pulley or an A/C clutch (providing the A/C is on when this occurs)

 

[ragajungle]

Also: 22 years old and 15 cars! Wow!

 

[92muddyXJ]

Thanks raga! Yeah, I have always been into vehicles since I was tiny. Cars and guns are my only hobby, unfortunately, both can be very expensive. I went through a period where I was buying/selling/trading vehicles pretty often. I really plan on keeping this Explorer for a long time, it's a great truck and I have always liked Ford no matter what I have owned in the past.

And it squeels whether the A/C is on or not, btw.

 

[crunchie_frog]

If it happens only at start up and just a second or two after that and it is more like a screech than a squeal, I would bet on the starter and the gear hanging up for a second or two. I have seen this on an older, rusted starter as the gear part can get exposed to weather.

 

[jcasey007]

my money is on the Serpentine belt.

My 97 did this after about 500 miles following every bely change.

I figured it was eating belts so I kept changing them, then I went to a US car parts specialist and the belt they sold me was about 10mm shorter, I've had this belt on for 15k miles without a chirp from it

 

[BradR]

Yeah, I'd bet on a new tensioner or a slightly shorter belt.