tensioner pulley squealing

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Nov 14, 2010 | 11:38 AM

4.0 Beast

Thread Starter

Elder User

Joined: Oct 2003

Posts: 504

Likes: 0

From: Gilbert, AZ

tensioner pulley squealing

Hey guys, my tensioner pulley (I think its a tensioner pulley - center, mounted high, not turning a pump) is squealing at idle and low speeds. A couple months ago I had it in to the shop and they didn't have a replacement so they pulled it off, and reworked it with some of the parts from a different model pulley and that fixed it.

Today, I just put some coolant into the resovoir and splashed a bit on the pulley and it is squealing again. Can I just spray some lubricant like wd-40 on it? If not, what else can I do? Im trying to get out of going back to the shop for a replacement.

Thanks guys...

97 5.0 Explorer AWD ~176,000 miles

Last edited by 4.0 Beast; Nov 14, 2010 at 11:42 AM. Reason: added details

Nov 14, 2010 | 11:57 AM

aquanaut20

Cargo Master

Joined: Aug 2003

Posts: 3,263

Likes: 92

From: BC Canada

use a stethoscope and isolate the culprit, if it is the idler and it seizes you will lose the belt and possibly more...

Nov 14, 2010 | 12:02 PM

4.0 Beast

Thread Starter

Elder User

Joined: Oct 2003

Posts: 504

Likes: 0

From: Gilbert, AZ

I am 100% sure of where the sound is coming from but I am unsure of what the pulley is. its not the idler because that is at the bottom according to what the mechanic told me.

I have a long trip tomorrow (around 700 total miles) and I wanted to make sure I would be ok. Dont have time to get to a shop beforehand.

Nov 14, 2010 | 12:08 PM

aquanaut20

Cargo Master

Joined: Aug 2003

Posts: 3,263

Likes: 92

From: BC Canada

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4.0 Beast

The crank pulley is at the bottom, if it is squeeling only because you have coolant contamination, it will burn off.

Nov 14, 2010 | 12:18 PM

4.0 Beast

Thread Starter

Elder User

Joined: Oct 2003

Posts: 504

Likes: 0

From: Gilbert, AZ

when I say bottom, I mean at the lower end of the engine below the ones on the top. I can tell which ones are the water pump, power steering, and a/c. There are like 2 or 3 pulleys that dont turn anything, they are just there for tension or as the idler. This one is one of those that don't turn anything. Hopefully it will burn off like you said. I used a hose and thoroughly squirted water to clean the coolant off of everything.

Nov 14, 2010 | 01:31 PM

caseys

Posting Guru

Joined: Dec 2003

Posts: 1,951

Likes: 7

From: pacific northwest

...when I thought it was my idler squeeking... I used the stethoscope and pin pointed the problem to be the cam sensor, replaced the cam sensor and all is well.

Just a thought...

Nov 14, 2010 | 08:22 PM

steve(ill)

Hotshot

Joined: Jul 2005

Posts: 11,931

Likes: 180

if it started squeeking just when you added antifreeze, you spilled it on the belt. spray dishwater soapy water all over it, then flush with clean water, then let it dry and squeek will go away.