Hi,
My 93 F-150 5.0 has developed a squeal whenever i shut the engine off. Right before it stops turning I get this squeal from the front of the engine. It sounds like its coming from the belt tensioner, but I just replaced both the tensioner and idler pulleys. I have never heard any squealing from the engine when it is running, until this morning, when I noticed a slight squeal from that area when I cranked it up. I shut it off and cranked it up again, and it doesn't do it anymore when running, just when I shut it off like usual. I turned the smog pump by hand and it seems kind of erratically rough to turn. I dont know how much resistance it should have because of compression, but it seems like too much. I guess I'd like to know if the tensioner itself could squeal when the engine stops, or could it be the pump. btw i have 161,000 mi. Sorry for the essay.
Thanks,
Travis

 

Just a thaught! You might want to check the fan clutch.

 

well after fooling with it for a while i think i figured it out. i put a new fan belt on recently and it has been doing it since then, so i put the old one back on and no noise. for safety's sake i put the new one back on and'll have to live with the noise. just sounds a lot like dry bearings, but its seems to be the belt. do these smog pumps last a while? i figured 161,000 mi is alot considering the alternator, pulleys, etc. have been replaced

 

Hi, I saw you changed the belt tensioner. I need to change mine on a E-350 5.8L van 1994 and would like to know if you have any tips. I'm a newbie and would appreciate any directions, etc, you can give. Thanks.

 

There really is no trick to it, just take off the belt and it should unbolt. Cant remember if the pulley or the tensioner bolt is backwards threaded, or both or neither. Just dont pull too hard until you're sure which way. Thats about all i can think of.
good luck,

 

The pulley bolt is backwards threaded, I know from experience. My pulley froze up and cracked and when I tried to remove it, you guessed it. I stripped the bolt, requiring me to replace the tensioner. I used a nut/bolt combo to put a new pulley on, but for caution I'll replace the tensioner.