Squeaking/Squealing/Chirping and Burning Rubber Smell from Serpentine Area

[sslmiranda24]

I have a 1997 Ford Explorer V8 and last night all of a sudden it started making a god awful noise and a strong burning rubber smell as well where the pulley system is. I've read other posts but still not sure if its replace both idler pulleys or just one and to replace alternator or not. And could I drive it about 80 miles to where my storage is so I can fix it myself?

 

[Turdle]

If the belt drive seizes the belt will burn off, and the water pump will not pump, power steering will not work. I advise against an 80 mile jaunt.

You will need to remove the belt and turn everything by hand to determine which pulley is giving problems. Good luck!

 

[koda2000]

you've probably got a bearing seizing up somewhere. Don't try to drive 80 miles, you wont make it.

As mentioned, remove the belt and spin all the pulleys by hand to figure out what's causing the problem. There are 2 idler pulleys, a tensioner pulley, the alternator, A/C, power steering and water pump pulleys to consider.

 

[ranger7ltr]

One more thing to look for...

Make certain the harmonic balancer pulley ring did not move forward or aft of the balancer body...When that moves or comes loose, the belt is usually the first thing to start rubbing, squeaking, squealing and generally make all kinds of noise under the hood...

But as others have said I would not drive the truck this way... Pull the belt, turn all the pulleys, check the alignment, and go from there... Hopefully it is just a belt tensioner going out...