Need help diagnosing problem

[brookman]

'99 Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer 5.0l V8

I have been working on cars for years and this problem has me stumped.
The engine started this aweful squeaking noise until it warms up. I figured since it has 108K miles that the bearings in the tensioner or idler pulley have gone out. I pulled the belt off and spun all of them by hand - no noise - very smooth. Put a new belt on (thought maybe the old one was worn and slipping). No dice - squesk still there.

I decided to take the belt off and start the truck - the squeak is still there. That means it is something in the motor. Because of the frequency of the squeak it is bouncing all over the place and I can not locate the precise position that it is coming from.

Is there any common affliction that causes this? I sounds just like a squeaking belt.

 

[ExplorerDMB]

I think your on the right track with the Tensioner. many people said this has gone bad in their vehicle - even with less mileage than yours. I believed mine was squeeking as well, but I was the lucky one - a new belt fixed my problem. Good luck. Squeeks are annoying and make you look trashy. ha

-Drew

 

[brookman]

It can't be the tensioner. I removed the belt and it still did it.

Any other ideas?

 

[Jack03EB]

Check your fan clutch.
sorry I don't know why the font is so big?

 

[brookman]

I can not be the fan clutch. The squeal is there even when the only thing spinning is the pulley on the snout of the crankshaft.

 

[gemrox888]

it could be your suspension bushings or upper ball-joint. leave the engine off and rock the car from side to side, if it squeaks, there's your problem. I had it for a while and it absolutely drove me nuts, then someone recommended that I just replace my ball-joints and bam, that squeak was outta there like a fat chick playing dodge-ball.