Hey First On Race Day experts, I have a 3.0 Flex 99 Ranger, 84K. At idle I have this chirping sound, like a belt or bad bearing in a pulley. When running it goes away but when I take foot of gas it sounds real loud, squeaky. If I let it idle for a while it goes back to the chirp sound The belt looks pretty good, no glazing and seems to be tight. If a bad pulley bearing, how do I isolate? Any ideas would be appreciated.

 

Might just be the belt tensioner. Ranger's are notorious for this problem.

 

easy to replace???

 

No probem. One bolt right in the front of the tensioner. Had to change mine at 75k miles. Just remember you may have to change belt size after changing pulleys.

 

Try STP's Belt Dressing, I had the same and it was a dry belt, I used that and the chirping sound went away, less expensive than replacing the pulley or the belt.

 

Belt dressing causes a big mess in the engine compartment, though. Also, it really doesn't recondition the belt, it is just keeps the belt from slipping. If the belt is dry, then replace it now, or risk it breaking out in the middle of nowhere.

 

Well, I guess that if you use a lot, it will create a mess, I have used it when the engine was about 130K, right know is 138K and no mess whatsoever. I guess depends on personal preferences. At least if that fix it, then you can go ahead and replace the belt for sure.