Horrible chirpy squeal under the hood

[gdgiordano]

I don't know what it is. The belt looks good I just can't figure out the long chirpy squeal.

 

[swshawaii]

Remove the belt and check ALL pulleys. If OK, start the cold engine without the belt and listen for internal engine noises.

Do NOT run the engine longer than one minute because the water pump is not turning and the engine will overheat quickly..

 

[gdgiordano]

Remove the belt and check ALL pulleys. If OK, start the cold engine without the belt and listen for internal engine noises.

Do NOT run the engine longer than one minute because the water pump is not turning and the engine will overheat quickly..

All I hear is the valves clicking a bit like they are supposed to.

 

[gdgiordano]

Also worth adding its not the timing chain stuff. Its not a rattle its a super long fairly uniform squeal.

 

[lobo411]

Also try splashing a little water on the belt while the engine is running to see if the squeal goes away.

 

[gdgiordano]

Also try splashing a little water on the belt while the engine is running to see if the squeal goes away.

Alright. thanks

 

[swshawaii]

I've never heard a slipping harmonic balancer (crankshaft pulley) myself, but probably worth checking.
4.0 Harmonic Balancer - know when it's going bad & how to fix | Ford Explorer and Ford Ranger Forums - Serious Explorations

After you've ruled out ALL the accessory pulleys, don't forget the tensioner. Spring may be weak or broken. See videos.
Signs of Belt Tensioner Failure
http://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=3674&cc=1119675&jsn=443

 

[lobo411]

Also check the belt length. I had a chirp, and I noticed that my nearly new (2000 miles on it over the course of 12 months) Gates belt was way too easy to remove. IIRC, it was 87.25 inches or longer.

That was the belt listed as correct on Amazon, but it was too long. I replaced it with a Goodyear Gatorback 86.25" belt that was listed as wrong on Amazon and correct on Rockauto. The tensioner looks right now, and the squeak is gone.

 

[avidgamr]

I don't know what it is. The belt looks good I just can't figure out the long chirpy squeal.

Are you sure it's definitely not the suspension? Mine has that same annoying chirping-squeaking sound but it's only when the vehicles' moving or if I rock it... I keep aiming on having it checked out when I go to the garage I take it to for servicing but never remember that problem when I get there. LOL
It also has a rather loud popping noise which I think is likely a ball joint in that same area (right front tire area) and need to get it checked out as well...

 

[swshawaii]

* Difference is, belt drive squeaks are usually constant and change with engine speed. OP's noise description is " LONG chirpy squeal".

 

[avidgamr]

* Difference is, belt drive squeaks are usually constant and change with engine speed. OP's noise description is " LONG chirpy squeal".

Oops, missed that "long" word. Ok, never mind my reply.

 

[jmisenti]

I don't know if this is the same squeal as yours but mine is my fan belt. When ever I start my car I have between 5-30 seconds of squealing but it always stops. Colder days are worse then others. I have been told a new belt would fix the issue and belt conditioner would help.
Conditioner helped shorten the squealing but not erase it. I plan on changing the belt soon

 

[swshawaii]

I have been told a new belt would fix the issue and belt conditioner would help.

Conditioner helped shorten the squealing but not erase it. I plan on changing the belt soon

New belt is a possible fix, belt dressing (conditioner) NO. Dressing on SERPENTINE belts may be a temporary band-aid noise fix, but long term will damage modern EPDM belts as described in the link below. If you have the belt off, use a stiff bristled nylon brush and scrub the grooves with dish soap and water. Do the same with all engine pulleys. If never cleaned you'll be shocked what comes off them.

Why Belt Dressing Is Not a Solution To Quiet a Noisy Belt

 

[koda2000]

With today's serpentine belts it's not as obvious when they're worn out. It used to be you'd look for cracks. Today you need a belt gauge (some auto parts stores give them away) to check the depth of the groves. Also check your tensioner to make sure it's riding w/in the normal range (there's a little pointer that's supposed to be w/in 2 marks). Lastly your belt may be too long. a 1/2" makes a difference. Some stores may sell you a 87" belt where other's sell a 86.5" belt for your truck.

 

[Rhett]

OP. Another source of chirp is a worn camshaft synchronizer, have you ruled that out? What engine do you have?

 

[koda2000]

OP. Another source of chirp is a worn camshaft synchronizer, have you ruled that out? What engine do you have?

OP had said the noise went away with the belt removed, so it doesn't look like it would be the cam sync.

 

[gdgiordano]

I don't know if this is the same squeal as yours but mine is my fan belt. When ever I start my car I have between 5-30 seconds of squealing but it always stops. Colder days are worse then others. I have been told a new belt would fix the issue and belt conditioner would help.
Conditioner helped shorten the squealing but not erase it. I plan on changing the belt soon

Little update. The noise was actually two noises. Fan clutch and belt tentioner. I still have a Big Crunch after starting it for the first time in the morning but all the running noise is gone! Super quiet and smooth.

 

[lobo411]

I replaced my fan clutch recently. $45 w/ a 30% off coupon on Pep Boys. The website has coupons often (maybe all the time, actually), and the clutch was Hayden -- Made in USA. I dunno if it's the same manufacturer as the OEM, but they looked identical iirc.

 

[gdgiordano]

I replaced my fan clutch recently. $45 w/ a 30% off coupon on Pep Boys. The website has coupons often (maybe all the time, actually), and the clutch was Hayden -- Made in USA. I dunno if it's the same manufacturer as the OEM, but they looked identical iirc.

Part was $60, I don't have the box or receipt anymore but it looks just like the one that came off.