Front End Screetching sound yesterday but gone today?

[ELeBlanc]

Sounded like a belt. Was city stop and start traffic and the sound was fairly continuous. It was night so decided I'd look under the hood in the morning... but its gone today?

Seprentine belt? What is a typical cost to have the serpentine belt replaced?

Einar

1997 Explorer 5.0 AWD 115k - purchased a year ago from a municipality with 101k

 

[swshawaii]

Remove the belt and inspect ALL the pulleys for binding. If OK, start the cold engine and run it for less than one minute while listening for internal noises. Usual suspects are idler or tensioner pulleys, alternator, or water pump. Keep posted.

 

[lobo411]

If you can't do the above work yourself, then get it done at a shop ASAP. Either way, it's going to be less expensive than a tow truck if your belt or a bad pulley is about to leave you stranded.

 

[toypaseo]

Replacing the belt is easy. You should also consider replacing the belt tensioner and idler pulley. I replaced all three, and I am far from being a mechanic.

My ex-Ford mechanic neighbor when I lived in CO recommended Goodyear Gatorback belts.

I replaced my tensioner and idler pulley with Ford/Motorcraft pieces, and the belt was the Goodyear Gatorback.

 

[lobo411]

My ex-Ford mechanic neighbor when I lived in CO recommended Goodyear Gatorback belts.

A Gatorback fixed my screech, although in my case I think the issue was that the belt I was using was on the long side of standard. The gatorback was 3/8" shorter. Oddly, Amazon.com said that the Gatorback was wrong, but Rockauto said it was fine...so the moral of the story is to listen to Rockauto over Amazon!

 

[ELeBlanc]

Thanks for the info.
Anyone have estimates at what some of the repair / replace might cost at a (non-dealer) mechanic?

 

[lobo411]

Anyone mildly competent can remove and replace a belt. Assuming you can't or don't want to replace it yourself, maybe you have a friend or family member who has some basic auto/tool skills and will do it in exchange for dinner?

The belt itself is $20 or so.

 

[Mbrooks420]

It's possible it was your camshaft sync drive as well. I've had them make a squeaky/screechy sound intermittently. To get eplscevthe belt you need a single box end wrench and a little patience. Not very hard to do. I believe it's a 14mm.