Hey guys. So i had a problem with my belt squealing in the mornings. One day i took my belt off to check my pulleys; i had a lil slack in an idler pulley and a lil slack in my water pump. I changed the idler pulley since it was cheapest, and it didn't resolve the problem, so i also changed the water pump. But i also installed a new belt when i changed the pump. Before i changed the water pump, the belt would always ride up against the edge of the water pump pulley towards the engine. I just assumed this was because i had a little slack in my water pump. Now that the new water pump is installed, the belt still rides hard on the inside of the pulley toward the engine. A new water pump pulley is $90 so i didn't want to just change it and that not be the problem. So what do y'all think?

Have any of u ever had this problem before? I know it has to be a pulley rubbing on the smooth side of the belt b/c if i spray a lil soapy water on the smooth side, it stops squealing. but if i spray it on the inside, on the ribs, the squeal doesn't go away.

 

it actually squeals worse now with the new parts than it did before. it'll squeal for about 45 minutes and eventually stop until i restart the truck and it starts all over.

 

If its riding on one side of a pulley and wearing out the edge of the belt, somethings out of alignment front to back. Can you stand on one side of the truck and see if anything is out of alignment? Does the idler pulley on the top of the engine spin easily (top center of the engine)?

 

Yes all the pulleys spin freely. I even took a straight edge on the side of the pulleys and they all line up. Could the water pump pulley be worn on one side to make it pull? A guy I work with said the squealing could be coming from a glazed pulley. He said I could bead blast the surface and see if that helps. When I pull it off I was thinking of chucking it up in our lath and see if the belt surface on the pulley is still tru or if it may have been warped. Thanks.

 

A glazed pulley could cause squealing, especially the water pump one since the fan puts a lot of drag on it. I just checked out my belt and it rides a little off center (towards the engine) on the water pump pulley. The only thing I could think that would cause yours to run so close to the back is that the pulley isn't seated all the way. The crank pulley and power steering pulley are on either side and will keep the belt straight. Try blasting the water pump pulley and see if that stops your squeal.

Are you having problems with the belt getting chewed up?

 

If your belt is riding hard to one side it's probably your tensioner going bad,the belt on mine would always be kinda ragged on one side,so I replaced the tensioner and the idler pulley,problem solved.Looking down at the tensioner from the passenger side,notice the gap in the tensioner,it should be the same top and bottom but if your belt is riding one way or the other you will see a difference in the gap.

 

No the belt's not gettin chewed up. I'll try bead blasting that pulley and recheck its seating. Thanks for the advice. I was beginning to think no one else cared, lol

 

Thanks, i'll take a look at that too. Just not sure it would affect it being as the crank and power steering pump are the two aligning the belt on the water pump pulley as previous reply said. I'm pretty sure my gaps on the tensioners are the same.

 

Any chance there is a little antifreeze on the belt? that can make it squeal like crazy!!!! Don't ask me how I know.....

 

You know I had that happen to me, the o-ring that seals the thermostat housing and the OEM clamp on the hose were seeping antifreeze and it was getting on the belt. Changed o-ring and clamp and all is well. New Belt to

 

I have a problem with my belt wearing on the front edge and making a whiping sound every so often around 65mph. I have replaced the tensioner, idler, water pump and the a/c clutch and bearing. It is still doing it. Anyone ever have this problem.

 

I had the same issue. Swore it was a pulley. Changed them all. Ended up being the belt. Put the old one on and the problem was gone. My $$ is on the belt.

Get a Ford belt!

 

changed 2 at work this past spring that had salt/road **** stuck in them.....funny how loud these things got..

you could try some chalk on the belt....

 

Not sure if this applies but thought I would mention it. There are 2 belt sizes that will work on our trucks. The JK81227 belt is 122.7" long and the JK81223AA belt is 122.3" long. Something to do with cold weather package. I have read where one of them was causing noise on some trucks. I just can't remember which one.

I installed Motorcraft # JK8-1223-AA (2C3Z-8620-AA) on my 01' and no issues but I didn't have noise before the replacement.

2002/03 F-Series and Excursion Belt Squeal; 99-01 with Replaced Belts:
Some 7.3 engines may exhibit a loud squeal noise from the engine area when the engine is under load and the fan clutch is locked up, typically in hot and dusty conditions. Another complaint may be the fan clutch oscillating or not locking up. This may be due to dust accumulating on the back side of the belt and causing it to slip on the water pump pulley. This usually affects only 2002 model/year vehicles, but may occur in trucks built from 99-01 if the belt was replaced after July 01. On single rear wheel trucks, replace the serpentine belt with P/N 1C2Z-8620-NA on single-alternator engines, and 1C2Z-8620-PA on dual-alternators. Broadcast Message 3848.
A service kit has been released for 2002 trucks only. It includes a belt, tensioner and water pump pulley. Use 2C3Z-8620-AA for single alternator and 2C3Z-8620-BA for dual alternators. Broadcast Message 0718.

 

I will check the belt. Thanks I just hate to take it to the shop. I pride myself on being able to do it myself.