Alright first off I have a 99 ranger flex 3.0. I noticed a slight squeal one morning and thought maybe a new belt would fix it. not so much. The squeal has gotten worse. After reading many posts about this on this site I have replaced (a/c clutch, idler pulley, ps pump, water pump,and tensioner.) still squealing. the belt track seems to be fine. The thing is you can spray lube on any pulley trck and it will quit for a minute or two. Any ideas suggestion kinda ready to set it on fire and push it down the hill.

 

I have a 2000 Ranger 3.0 L Flex Fuel with the same noise issue you describe. I haven't replaced anything yet, but it looks like the issue is linked to the harmonic balancer and the rubber ring that is part of it.

Did you have a water pump leak? I have noticed a small leak/seep coming out of the water pump in my truck, and I am wondering if the coolant may have damaged the rubber ring in the harmonic balancer. I know coolant can ruin a belt when it comes in contact with it.

Also, I had a bad experience with belt lube a while back. It just made the sound worse, and I had to replace my belt to reduce the level of noise.

 

There are several threads about the replacement belts being the wrong size, is it possible its too long? Has the sound changed in any way after all these replacement?

 

as there can be a difference in belt qualities between brands !
GATES belts are some of the best , some of the others are cheap china junk with unknown rubber compounds !

 

I havent had a water leak but the shaft had alot of up/down play so i replaced it. the noise went away for about 5 minutes. I took off the belt and ran it to see if it was the harmonic balancer seal but it didnt make any noise. could quite possibly be that though as there is no pressure from the belt. I will check that ring out and let you know. thanks. mfp- i have two different belts they seem to be the right size.

 

Something each of you should try before spending any money on replacement parts is getting an inexpensive stethescope from Harbor Freight to locate the source of the squeal. If you don't have a Harbor Freight available, use a small diameter dowel or a long screwdriver and place one end on each moving part and put your thumb over the other end with your ear over the thumb and listen to locate the squealer. Then you know which part you need to spend money on.

This avoids uselessly spending money on parts that don't need to be replaced.

 

I am partial to the Goodyear Gatorback

 

Also, take a real good look at the tensioner. Use a bright flashlight and look at it with the truck running. See if it looks like the belt is running at an angle. if so the tensioner is bad not the pulley on it. I have seen this alot on the trucks in our fleet. Also comfirm the squeal is comming from the front of the motor. I have had techs in the company descibe a belt squeal and it be a syncronizer shaft instead. If the noise is comming from the back of the engine these shafts also have bearings that go bad. Just some of the most common problems I encounter at work on them. Please don't set it on fire and roll it down a hill. Lol. If your truck hears you say that it might get offended.

 

What wp120 said ^^^ if the squeak is from the passenger side firewall change the syncro before the engine is toast. You said when you spray the belt the noise goes away for a while so it is prob not the syncro but it is good to be aware of the syncro issue. I like the idea of the stethascope and the $20 for a Gatorback belt. The harmonic balancer is a good theory too.