Serpentine Belt noise

[JusFlako]

I just changed out the alternator, put in a brand new one... Since then everytime I start up the truck, screeching noises come form the belt but only for about 10 seconds then goes away.

When the car in running, I do see the belt tensioner is shaking. Any tips as to what this could be?

Its a 2004 Ford Explorer XLT

 

[JusFlako]

Im sorry, can you somone please move this thread to "Under the Hood"?

 

[sfhess]

Spray a little WD40 on both sides of the belt. It will break up any glaze on the belt or pulleys.

WD40 is NOT a lubricant and will not cause any problems with the belt's proper operation.

 

[JusFlako]

Really? From what I was told, you never spary your belt with anything.

 

[swshawaii]

Spray a little WD40 on both sides of the belt. It will break up any glaze on the belt or pulleys.

WD40 is NOT a lubricant and will not cause any problems with the belt's proper operation.

Research? WD-40 IS a lubricant, albeit a very light one. Never put ANYTHING on a serpentine belt, especially a new one. Did you check all the pulleys for binding when the belt was off? Sounds like a tensioner, idler, or alternator pulley bearing.

http://wd40.com/faqs/

 

[JusFlako]

Research? WD-40 IS a lubricant, albeit a very light one. Never put ANYTHING on a serpentine belt, especially a new one. Did you check all the pulleys for binding when the belt was off? Sounds like a tensioner, idler, or alternator pulley bearing.

http://wd40.com/faqs/

I did not, I will check all the pulleys with the belt off to see if I get any binding. I hope its not the alternator pulley, I just bought it brand new.

 

[Number4]

Modern belts don't show wear signs as they used to. You need to check the groove depth. Or, if it's old, just replace it.
An easy way to test the belt as the cause, with the engine running, drop some water on the belt, near the pulleys. If the belt immediately quiets, there's your issue. (Doesn't need to be a lot if water.)

 

[Gadget X]

I had a similar problem, turned out that the bearings on the idler pulley were shot! It's a cheap part if that's the problem! Good luck!

 

[BKennedy]

My Explorer is a lot older than yours, but when my alternator bearings went bad, I replaced the alternator. Then, I immediately got a squeaking belt. Found out the tensioner and the idler pulley were also shot. Tensioner you can get aftermarket, but the idler seems to be a dealer only item. I bought one from Napa and one from Autozone, both did not have the through bolt and both bound as I was tightening them using the old bolt.

 

[Gadget X]

I bought my idler pulley from advance auto parts for about 20 bucks, I think, and it has been on the ex for about a year now, with no problems!

 

[JusFlako]

Ok. I checked all the pulleys and they all seemed fine except for the tensioner pulley, seems it's spinning very loosely. A little sound coming from it. I don't hear the screeching belt noise all the time I start up the call.

But I will just replace the belt tensioner and the belt itself.

Now another problem, lol... I hear a weird noise coming from the engine block. Kinda sounds like a clicking noise, I took a video of the noise and well as the belt tensioner but I guess I need a YouTube channel to upload it so you can view

 

[JusFlako]

Also whatever pulley it on the right on the idler pulley, directly right. I was able to move it with my hands back and forth just slightly. Not sure if that could be causing the noise during start up sometimes

 

[BKennedy]

The belt tensioner can go wrong in a few ways. One is the bearings in the tensioner pulley, the other is in the spring tensioner. If the belt is slipping, its usually the spring tensioner that is bad. I have replaced mine twice in 20 years and 160000 miles. They just wear out sitting there.

 

[JusFlako]

Here is the video.. http://youtu.be/Emoo7VXhuTU ... The noise from the engine block is very faint on the video but you can hear the tensioner

 

[2000StreetRod]

check your harmonic balancer

Harmonic balancer failure

 

[JusFlako]

Harmonic balancer failure

I did check my harmonic balancer, I only see one set of groves so I guess mine is ok. I did take a pic of it, but I have no idea how to upload the pic here.