Joe from Austin, TX with '98 Explorer. The belt got thrown off.

[streak70]

Good morning all. I became the second owner of a '98 Eddie Bauer Explorer last fall when I handed down my pickup to a new driver in my family and we decided not to go the new car (and payments) route for me. Vehicle had 75K miles on it when I bought it and I've added a few more.

I searched this forum out just now because I now have my first major problem with the vehicle and I'll be searching the forum for the proper place to get some help with it.

Best to all

Joe

 

[BrooklynBay]

Welcome to this forum! What kind of problem does it have?

 

[streak70]

Thanks for asking. Last night it threw the serpentine belt off. I found the tensioning idler sitting on the front crossmember but apparently I've lost whatever attachment hardware - bolts, spacers, etc. - that once held the idler to it's bracket.

So now I'm looking for part(s) that I've no name for and never seen.

The former owner told me the belt had been replaced last summer and had the paperwork from the Ford house (he kept every scrap relating to the vehicle). I'm wondering if it was just sloppy work - or something else made the tensioner fall off.

It was almost dark when I got home last night and the engine was hot so I didn't do a lot of investigating and what I did do was with a flashlight.

Joe

Welcome to this forum! What kind of problem does it have?

 

[jlsparky7]

Welcome.

Explorers are known for having bad tensioner and idler pulleys. The belt may have been replaced but that doesnt fix the pulleys. Replace those 2 pulleys and the belt (If it was damaged by hoping off). www.rockauto.com is an AWESOME and CHEAP site for parts and there is a 5% discount code in the vendors section on this forum. Check it out.

 

[Sams01XplrSprt]

welcome joe

 

[streak70]

Many thanks Gentlemen!

What a great help you've been.

The parts list and pics at rockauto have shown me what I need. I'll examine my belt tonight to see if I need to add one to the order.

Thanks again!

 

[jlsparky7]

Many thanks Gentlemen!

What a great help you've been.

The parts list and pics at rockauto have shown me what I need. I'll examine my belt tonight to see if I need to add one to the order.

Thanks again!

You are very welcome. Let us know how it goes.

 

[streak70]

Back on the road again...

Fellows, thanks for your help.

Repair went smoothly. I picked up the part locally since I needed to get right on it and despite the cramped workspace I didn't even skin any knuckles. I don't know if the tensioner on there was OEM or replacement but whoever tightened the mutha down put all he had into it - I really thought I was going to end up with a broken bolt - but it finally gave up and that ended up being the only rough spot.

Thanks again for the help.

Joe

 

[BrooklynBay]

Thanks for the update!