Squealing Noise When Wet, Belt?

[mcmanus_78]

Thanks for the reply guys!

I was looking for something regarding that specific belt slipping noise that comes once in a while when it's wet. I'm pretty sure it's powertrain related because I can feel a little stress in the steering from my right front wheel when it happens but I can't really describe it differently than a belt-slipping noise even though I'm certain there is no belt involved in the mechanism.

The service at my Ford steelership wanted me to fork 400$ for the Brake TSB since my vehicle is over 20000km... the brakes are not under warranty anymore it seems. I said not to touch them... he still charged me 75$ for "inspection" fees.

 

[explorernoise?]

Any updates on what your issue was? I joined the forum just for this issue and I am having the same exact problem. The issue only occurs when it is wet and raining outside. tired of my vehicle sounding like a "cash for clunker" and the dealer told me that is was because the belt gets wet.....well, they told my wife that. Next service I'm taking the vehicle in to discuss the issue but I'm hoping someone will have more information on it. Unacceptable service so far from my dealer.

 

[1995E]

I get the same thing after some rain. It does it rarely but it happens. All the dealer did was lubricate something and hoped it went away. Still happens. It's probably the accessories belt getting wet from all the rain although how water gets inside into the accessories belt beats me... It could also be a pulley, I couldn't really isolate the issue myself. From what I can tell, it comes from the accessories belt area.

 

[peterk9]

I get the same thing after some rain. It does it rarely but it happens. All the dealer did was lubricate something and hoped it went away. Still happens. It's probably the accessories belt getting wet from all the rain although how water gets inside into the accessories belt beats me... It could also be a pulley, I couldn't really isolate the issue myself. From what I can tell, it comes from the accessories belt area.

Although I can't say it is due to wet conditions, I would wonder why the issue isn't more common? One thing is for sure, it isn't a fan belt as in the threads' name. There isn't one.
Have tried just just spraying water on the belt with a spray bottle while it is parked to see if you get that same squeal?

Peter

 

[explorernoise?]

Ill try to spray a little water or observing after rain...whichever I have time for first. It isn't 24/7 but it did it for a along portion of the rainy drives/travels during the 600 mile round trip over the weekend. Im hoping to have different results at the dealer when I take it in instead of my wife. I'm pretty positive it's the accessory belt area.

 

[13ExAK]

Hey everyone,
New here so first off I will start by saying 'Hi' and I'm glad to have found this forum. I use one for my 08 F-150, so it's nice to have this for the wife's 2013 Explorer XLT. Bought it Oct. 31, 2012. Currently has 9600 miles.

Now onto our issues, just want to state that is this is a non eco V6, and completely stock.

First issue: Started @ 5000 miles, When driving the car in moderate to heavy rain the belt slips, and squeals causing the lights dim and us to loose power for a few seconds. It does it EVERY time it is raining anything more than a sprinkle...which is bad for us because we live in a very rainy place, over 200 inches a year..

Second issue: Been doing this since new, This only happens if the car isn't fully up to temp mind you, but we have a hill just up the road from our house that is well, the main road and in the morning or when the car is cold we go up the hill and the car doesn't want to shift like it should...it gets stuck in 3rd and will go all the way to red line unless you let off the gas and then re apply then it jerks into 4th and is fine. Have had the transmission updated didn't help.

Other than these 2 issues the car has been awesome and we love it!

 

[peterk9]

Hey everyone,
New here so first off I will start by saying 'Hi' and I'm glad to have found this forum. I use one for my 08 F-150, so it's nice to have this for the wife's 2013 Explorer XLT. Bought it Oct. 31, 2012. Currently has 9600 miles.

Now onto our issues, just want to state that is this is a non eco V6, and completely stock.

First issue: Started @ 5000 miles, When driving the car in moderate to heavy rain the belt slips, and squeals causing the lights dim and us to loose power for a few seconds. It does it EVERY time it is raining anything more than a sprinkle...which is bad for us because we live in a very rainy place, over 200 inches a year..

Second issue: Been doing this since new, This only happens if the car isn't fully up to temp mind you, but we have a hill just up the road from our house that is well, the main road and in the morning or when the car is cold we go up the hill and the car doesn't want to shift like it should...it gets stuck in 3rd and will go all the way to red line unless you let off the gas and then re apply then it jerks into 4th and is fine. Have had the transmission updated didn't help.

Other than these 2 issues the car has been awesome and we love it!

Welcome to the Forum 13ExAK.:wavey:
There have been some posts about squealing belts but they are not quite the same as yours. To the best of my recollection, they haven't resulted in loss of power or diming lights. As far as the transmission goes, most of the complaints have been about a 'bump' that is felt at times when shifting. There is a TSB on "sluggish acceleration followed by a bump" but that doesn't seem to be what you are experiencing.
Perhaps some of our members may have some ideas to help you out.

Peter

 

[13ExAK]

I am having the SAME issue! We live in a VERY rainy area, well over 200 inches a year and we get this anytime it's raining. I am currently awaiting a phone meeting with a Ford Engineer to get this fixed, so I will try to keep everyone posted if they can fix it.

 

[13ExAK]

Also was reading this, Anyone else try this?

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=348696&highlight=belt

 

[FordService]

...Other than these 2 issues the car has been awesome and we love it...

Hi 13ExAK,

That's a beautiful Explorer; thanks for sharing the picture! Have you brought your two concerns to the attention of your dealership so they can check things out? I want to get your regional customer service manager involved so they can help, too; send me a PM with your name, daytime phone number, VIN, current mileage, and preferred servicing dealership. I'll get this into their hands.

Crystal

 

[13ExAK]

Thank you, it is nice. I have already started with Ford Customer Service, I have been talking to Judy and I am awaiting a phone call from here around the 20th when someone gets back from Vacation so they can discuss options to fix this. Thank you though.

 

[blwnsmoke]

I've had the squealing belt as well since almost new. Dealer couldn't "duplicate" it.. as you said it happens when it is raining out.. The squeal lasts about 2-3 seconds then goes away for a few minutes then does it again.

We've started to notice a slight difference in power and almost a very faint jerk once the belt stops slipping.

If you are within the 12 months, 12k warranty, you can get the belt replaced but I'm afraid you'll be in the same situation as I was in that they won't be able to duplicate it unless it is raining.

I'm out of that now so I'm not even bothering with Ford.. I'm going to by the $20 belt and change it myself which should solve the problem. If it doesn't, then it would be the belt tensioner and that should be covered under my warranty.

 

[xd40c]

Years ago, when I was a Chevy dealer mechanic, we used to put a little white lube on the belt PULLIES (not directly on the belt). This kept the belts from squeeling. I've been doing it ever since, with excellent results.

 

[Dr Plastic]

Is there a reason you can't take it back to the dealer to have these issues fixed under warranty?

 

[13ExAK]

Okay, I got Ford's answer today...and to put it bluntly I am NOT happy! They told me that there isn't anything they can or will do to fix the issue but that is a characteristic with the vehicle because of where I live. That is just complete and utter BS! What they are doing is giving us a warranty for it that is good until 75000 miles or 5 years..but it doesn't start when the current warranty ends, it starts NOW. So we shall see. I am not happy about this at all.

 

[13ExAK]

I suspect also that my dealership could be at blame here too. We are debating of shipping the car south and having a different dealer look at it.

 

[peterk9]

Okay, I got Ford's answer today...and to put it bluntly I am NOT happy! They told me that there isn't anything they can or will do to fix the issue but that is a characteristic with the vehicle because of where I live. That is just complete and utter BS! What they are doing is giving us a warranty for it that is good until 75000 miles or 5 years..but it doesn't start when the current warranty ends, it starts NOW. So we shall see. I am not happy about this at all.

Actually it will probably start as of the date that you bought the Explorer. That is the way ALL Ford's ESP warranties work. They revert to the date the vehicle was initially sold or leased. What it does provide that the factory warranty does not, is provision for a rental vehicle.
If possible, I would take the vehicle to another dealer and get another opinion on the problems.

Peter

 

[13ExAK]

We are giving our dealer one last shot, only because we have to ship the car in order to go to another dealer...so yeah it's not convenient.

 

[13ExAK]

Dealer won't do anything so this spring we are going to replace the belt and go from there.. I will let ya know.

 

[blwnsmoke]

Dealer won't do anything so this spring we are going to replace the belt and go from there.. I will let ya know.

Same here, I've had the belt in hand for a while but you have to crawl under the ex to change it so I'm letting the dealer do it. At 55,000 miles, I'm more then happy to change it out now. Been dealing with it since almost new.