Someone help me before i commit suicide--fanbelt!

[Squirrelmaster]

It could be one of the pulleys is damaged or misshapen and replacing the belt with a new one is just a short term fix, and after driving a little while the belt begins to conform to the system (the belt begins to stretch, the grooves in the belt begin to hollow out and fully seat on the pulleys, etc.) and the noise reappears. Next time you pull the belt, double check for any damage or unusual discolorations on the pulleys, as well as any odd wear marks on the belt (with new belt it may not show any unusual wear unless the damage is severe).

I had an older Ranger that had a divot in one of the pulleys from a mechanic either dropping the alternator on something sharp on dropping something heavy on it (I bought it well used and not running from a botched top-end rebuild, so my guess is he dropped the edge of one of the heads on it), and it caused a similar noise (it also chopped away part of the inside of one rib on a relatively new belt in no time). In my case with the Ranger, the solution was to let my sister borrow and then total the truck, but that's probably not what you'd like.

I also knew a person who put under-drive pulleys on his Mustang, and one pulley happened to be slightly oblong, but issues didn't manifest until after the belt began to stretch and something got it wet (wet roads, car washes, etc.), as when new the tension was still enough for it not to be a problem. We spent forever searching for the issue, believing it to be an electrical one, and never found the problem until after we put the stock pulleys back on and the problem went away (we still had no clue why though). Later on it just so happened that we were about to put those same under-drive pulleys on another Mustang when, coincidentally, we placed the suspect pulley on top of the stock one, to which we noticed it wasn't as round as the stocker.

Tom

 

[JohnnyS]

Today, I took out the belt and inspected all the pulleys.
The only odd thing I noticed was the grooved pulley immediately to the right of the idle pully. I don't know what it is for, but it wasn't the clutch one. And it was the one at the very top right side of the engine (as you are looking inside the hood from the front of the vehicle).

When I pulled on the pulley TOWARDS me, the pulley went in and out approximately 2 milimeters. Is that normal for a pulley to go in and out like that, even if only slightly?

 

[aldive]

Please be more specific about which pulley. Further, a picture would be nice.

 

[JohnnyS]

Ok, so you are looking inside your hood...
Then there is the tensioner to the very left, then the idler in the middle, then the grooved pulley t othe right of the idler. This is the pulley I am talking about. I don't know what this is for. But this is the one that I can PULL OUT approx 2milimeters in and out...

Next to the above pulley, is what i guess is the AC pulley (it has grooved outer pulley and inside wheel that spins separately).

 

[aldive]

Which one?

 

[aldive]

I assume its the power steering pulley that you are talking about.

 

[JohnnyS]

Yes! that's the one. Thanks for the diagram

 

[JohnnyS]

When i pull on the AC compressor pulley, it does not move at all. Idler does not move either. Neither does tensioner.

Only the #2 pulley can be pulled out 2mm, then pushed back... I looked to see if the pulley was bolted on or something. But it looked like it was a single piece with the power steering thingy that is attached to the pulley

 

[JohnnyS]

Aldive,
Any thoughts on this pulley issue?

 

[aldive]

Post some pictures of the pulleys.

 

[JohnnyS]

I don't have the pic, but it's #2 from your diagram. I can pull it out 2mm and push it back. Back and forth easily.

In terms of spinning, it spins smoothly and easily

 

[aldive]

Does it wobble when the belt is on and motor running?

 

[JohnnyS]

The pully is perfectly circular and flat.
So when the belt is running, it LOOKS smooth and straight.

However, when I take the belt off, and I PULL on the pulley towards me, it comes out of it's "hole" where the pulley shaft is, by approx, 2 mm, then I can push it back. Back and forth. Effortlessly. Is this normal? Or is the pulley supposed to be "non-moving"? The AC pulley next to it is non-moving...

 

[JohnnyS]

Well, I went to a ford dealer and checked a similar Explorer power steering pulley. It also pulled 1 mm in and out. And it didn't make any noise. So that theory is out...

Today, I really cleaned all pulleys and the belt--got all the grease and dirt out as much as I could, using laundry detergent, alcohol, kitchen degreaser.

I tried the belt, and the sound was still there.

But...I noticed something different. After a 10 min driving, the sound dissappeared for low rpm driving. When I pressed the gas hard to accelerate, the sound would be there, but not too loud (still annyoying though).

So, it seems like the cleaning helped, but not completely as I hoped.

I also noticed something funny. I was watching the belt turn, and my idler was spinning not straight, but was wobbling a bit. I never noticed that before--or not paid attention to it.

Tomorrow, I will take out the idler and take a look (it was only replaced 4000 km ago when I first noticed the squeak).

When I was first putting on that idler back then, there was some kind of a washer in the back. I tightened it with my fingers only, then installed the idler. Is this the correct way to tighten the back "washer", or is there a special tool to tighten it harder? It seemed like the only way to tighten it was by hand, as it was round with no noticeable grooves for special tools...

Please don't let this thread die on me. Would really like responses... before I commit suicide..

 

[BonesDT]

a screwdriver long screwdriver can be used like a stethoscope. hold the end of handle to your ear and place the tip at various points untill you can isolate where the noise transmits through it the loudest

I can't vouch for the screwdriver idea, but a mechanics stethoscope is cheap, maybe around ~$20. You should definitely try this. Put everything together and run the engine and touch the stethoscope probe to the stationary bases right behind all the pulleys. It should quickly pinpoint the problem pulley, or maybe it's the device behind the pulley that's got an issue, e.g. low fluid or something broken in the power steering pump.

Try to post pics. It keeps our interest and it yields better responses.

You've mentioned suicide a few times. Is this something we should be worried about?

 

[JohnnyS]

Haha no........ But I will get rid of that damn truck if I can't get rid of the noise...Problem solved I guess.

I will try the stethoscope, but I doubt I can get it here in the Philippines. Will doctor's stethoscope work, if I hold it far away from the points?

 

[BonesDT]

I will try the stethoscope, but I doubt I can get it here in the Philippines. Will doctor's stethoscope work, if I hold it far away from the points?

Where did you get your 2 replacement tensioners? You can get mechanic stethoscopes at auto parts stores and Sears.

Otherwise try the long thing screwdriver trick. Better yet, use a screwdriver and touch that doctor's stethoscope to the screwdriver handle to amplify it.

 

[JohnnyS]

Where did you get your 2 replacement tensioners?

--Got it at the local Ford dealer in the Philippines.


You can get mechanic stethoscopes at auto parts stores and Sears.

--These stores don't exist in the Philippines (3rd world country).

Otherwise try the long thing screwdriver trick. Better yet, use a screwdriver and touch that doctor's stethoscope to the screwdriver handle to amplify it.

--Good idea. I will try it tomorrow. When the engine is idle, there is no sound now (after the cleaning). Will the screwdriver test allow me to hear sounds that I can't with my bare ears, or does there need to be at least some faint sound eminating from the pulley parts?

 

[aldive]

. Will doctor's stethoscope work, if I hold it far away from the points?

No.

 

[shon]

hi johnnys,

Like you I am from the Philippines, where do you live? I can recommend a very good mechanic so he can diagnose your problem, im south of metro manila my cell number is 09209242969 give me a ring or txt me so i can refer you to my mechanic. Im currently test driving an 02 sport trac right now, im still waiting for the owner to put it on the selling block and for how much (good luck to me).