Belt squeaking?
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 225
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Belt squeaking?
So a few months ago I would occasionally hear what appeared to be a slight squealing noise from a pulley when I started my truck. It was very intermittent, so I didn't think much of it.
After a few weeks, I realized I was only hearing it on colder mornings - it would also go away rather quickly. I bought a mechanic's stethoscope, and figured I'd get to it on a slow day.
Today, I finally broke out the scope and tried to figure out the source. Didn't really find any pulleys making noise, and I did notice that when I shut the truck off, it squeaks for a second or two as it comes to a complete stop.
My dream of finding a bad pulley or perhaps a power steering pump was crushed. I had hoped to do a little Easter wrenching and put this noise to rest.
So, I did what any good mechanic would do - I Googled the issue.
I'm reading that it could be the belt. Certainly wouldn't bother me too much as that is an easy fix. The belt isn't too old - about 4 years and 20 - 30K on it.
However I'd like to ask the all knowing FTE crowd for some assistance in confirming what is wrong.
I took a few pics of the belt and can take a video of start/stop if that helps.
Thanks in advance!
After a few weeks, I realized I was only hearing it on colder mornings - it would also go away rather quickly. I bought a mechanic's stethoscope, and figured I'd get to it on a slow day.
Today, I finally broke out the scope and tried to figure out the source. Didn't really find any pulleys making noise, and I did notice that when I shut the truck off, it squeaks for a second or two as it comes to a complete stop.
My dream of finding a bad pulley or perhaps a power steering pump was crushed. I had hoped to do a little Easter wrenching and put this noise to rest.
So, I did what any good mechanic would do - I Googled the issue.
I'm reading that it could be the belt. Certainly wouldn't bother me too much as that is an easy fix. The belt isn't too old - about 4 years and 20 - 30K on it.
However I'd like to ask the all knowing FTE crowd for some assistance in confirming what is wrong.
I took a few pics of the belt and can take a video of start/stop if that helps.
Thanks in advance!
Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 25,479
Likes: 742
From: Isanti, MN
How does the belt tension feel?
The majority of belt noise has to do with pulley alignment, but I've never had any luck tracking that down. A good bandaid fix is a Gatorback belt. The ridge design is supposed to minimize squealing. I installed one of these last time I had a belt noise issue and it quieted right down.
Continental
The majority of belt noise has to do with pulley alignment, but I've never had any luck tracking that down. A good bandaid fix is a Gatorback belt. The ridge design is supposed to minimize squealing. I installed one of these last time I had a belt noise issue and it quieted right down.
Continental
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 225
Likes: 2
How does the belt tension feel?
The majority of belt noise has to do with pulley alignment, but I've never had any luck tracking that down. A good bandaid fix is a Gatorback belt. The ridge design is supposed to minimize squealing. I installed one of these last time I had a belt noise issue and it quieted right down.
Continental
The majority of belt noise has to do with pulley alignment, but I've never had any luck tracking that down. A good bandaid fix is a Gatorback belt. The ridge design is supposed to minimize squealing. I installed one of these last time I had a belt noise issue and it quieted right down.
Continental
Is there a way I can confirm that it is indeed the belt?
I just went and started it up before I checked tension for the heck of it. Not a peep except for the little squeak when I shut the truck down. As the motor may be a little warm and its hot out, I thought perhaps it is a bearing going bad that only makes noise when its cold.
Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 25,479
Likes: 742
From: Isanti, MN
It's pretty rare for anything BUT the belt to make a squeaking noise. But stranger things have happened.
If it were my truck I'd replace the belt and go from there. Remember that most of the time it's not a bad belt that causes squeaking, but misaligning pulleys that cause some funny belt wear. Grab a Gatorback or Continental Poly-V and see if that solves your issue.
If it were my truck I'd replace the belt and go from there. Remember that most of the time it's not a bad belt that causes squeaking, but misaligning pulleys that cause some funny belt wear. Grab a Gatorback or Continental Poly-V and see if that solves your issue.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 380
Likes: 1
My belt sounds just like yours but it's not enough to bother me.
The first start on a cold morning the belt has a faint squeal for about a minute and goes away. You have to be standing in front of the truck with your head by the grille to hear it.
And every time I shut the truck off it makes that 1 second squeal. It sounds normal to me.
The first start on a cold morning the belt has a faint squeal for about a minute and goes away. You have to be standing in front of the truck with your head by the grille to hear it.
And every time I shut the truck off it makes that 1 second squeal. It sounds normal to me.
Junior User
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 85
Likes: 8
From: Pennsylvania
It may be the belt. I had a similar problem on my previous truck. Started squeaking when cold and within a short time turned into a constant squeal. I was convinced it was a pulley but I could not determine which pulley was bad so as a starting point I changed the belt and to my surprise that solved the problem.
I hope this helps. Good Luck.
I hope this helps. Good Luck.
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 4,392
Likes: 22
From: very South Texas
I replaced all pulleys and the belt with motorcraft parts. 80 dollars. Rockauto.
less than 1 hour of work.
2012 with 140,000 miles.
if belt fails... you are on the side of the road calling... no limping home...
1 pulley bearing had movement and another bearing was DRY and was ringing... no cracks in belt.
less than 1 hour of work.
2012 with 140,000 miles.
if belt fails... you are on the side of the road calling... no limping home...
1 pulley bearing had movement and another bearing was DRY and was ringing... no cracks in belt.
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Senior User
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 230
Likes: 1
From: elkmont alabama
a little trick to stop the squeal so that you may be able to hear if it is a pulley or not is either gold bond or baby powder both or a Crayola crown peel the paper back and while the engine is running let the crown rub the belt till noise is gone and then you can give the pulleys a listen
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