There's a small but clearly audible chirping/squeak coming from my truck whenever I pull out. It goes away after the truck gets hot, but for the first 10 minutes or so, it squeaks only when moving. Not at idle. It is worse at low RPM's in 1st gear. And it's particularly bad in the mornings. Any suggestions? I was thinking it is something in the idler pulley or the belt tensioner.

 

Sounds like brakes to me - when you first pull out, roll the window down and stick your head out to listen for the sound - if it sounds like it's coming from the wheels, it's probably the brakes...

 

It isn't the brakes. It's somewhere dealing with the serpentine I'm pretty sure. I can spray WD40 on the Idler Pulley and it stops until the next morning. Idler puller need to be replaced?

 

Is the noise cyclical, like something in the drivetrain would be, or more random as suspension?

When was the last time you greased the front wheel bearings?
The U-joints or ball joints are another possibility.

 

Like I said. It sounds like it's coming from a pulley in the belt since it's not always doing it. Not from under the truck but from the engine bay.

 

It could very well be the idler if you can quiet it down with WD-40. They're not that expensive - I want to say they are in the $30 range - not difficult to replace, either.

 

if it is the original idler pulley (metal) you can remove it and re grease the bearing.

 

I have something similar. A squeak that sounds more like it is coming from the back of the truck. 96 Ranger xlt 2.3L. But it only happens when the truck is in gear and I am giving it gas. I can push the clutch in and coast and it stops immediately. Get up to 30 mph and it goes away.