302 Belt Squeak
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Mar 2020
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302 Belt Squeak
I have a 1995 F-150 with the 302 and 4R70W, ever since I’ve owned it it has had a belt squeal that I can’t get rid of. So far I have replaced the tensioner, alternator, water pump pulley, A/C clutch, and idler pulley. If I replace the belt it will go away entirely for a couple months but then it starts to squeak every now and then and will get progressively worse until it starts squealing again. It sounds like the squeak is coming from the idler, I can’t get rid of the squeaking/squealing and it’s pissing me off, not sure if anyone has any ideas on how to go about this.
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 160
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Lead Driver
Joined: Jun 2021
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LIGHT TRUCK:
1993-95 BRONCO, ECONOLINE, F-150-350 SERIES
ISSUE:
The FEAD tensioner pulley may show signs of early wear and/or erosion on some vehicles.
ACTION:
If a visual inspection determines an FEAD tensioner pulley has experienced extensive wear or erosion, replace the tensioner pulley assembly with a new steel pulley tensioner assembly (F5TZ-6B209-D). Refer to the appropriate Service Manual for service details.
==============Drive Belt Noise/Flutter
Drive belt chirp is a regularly occurring chirping noise that occurs due to pulley misalignment or excessive pulley runout. It can be a result of a damaged pulley or an improperly replaced pulley that was not properly aligned.
To correct, determine the area where the noise comes from. Then check each of the pulleys in that area with a straightedge to the crankshaft pulley (6312) and look for the accessory pulleys to be out of position in the fore/aft direction or at an angle to the straightedge.
Belt squeal is an intermittent noise that occurs when the drive belt slips on a pulley during certain conditions such as: engine start-up, rapid engine acceleration, or A/C clutch engagement.
Drive belt squeal can occur under the following conditions:
- If the A/C discharge pressure goes above 2895 kPa (420 psi). This can occur if:
- The A/C system is overcharged.
- The A/C condenser core airflow is blocked.
- The fan blade (8600) is not engaging fully at idle.
- If A/C OFF equalized pressure (the common discharge and suction pressure that occurs after several minutes) exceeds 965 kPa (140 psi), which is a rare occurrence at high ambient temperatures with a hot engine, turn A/C off for a few seconds and then back on after fan blade begins to cool A/C condenser core.
- If any of the accessories are damaged, or have a worn or damaged bearing or internal torsional resistance above normal for any reason. All of the accessories should be rotatable by hand in the unloaded condition. If any are not, the accessories should be inspected.
- If fluid gets on the drive belt. Fluids include power steering fluid, engine coolant, engine oil or air conditioning system lubricant.
If fluid does get on the drive belt during service, the best policy is to clean the drive belt with soap and water and thoroughly rinse with clean water. The drive belt does not have to be replaced if no apparent damage has occurred.
- If drive belt is too long. A drive belt that is too long will allow the drive belt tensioner arm to go all the way to drive belt tensioner arm travel stop under certain load conditions, which will untension the drive belt. If the drive belt tensioner (6B209) is resting on the stop, replace the drive belt.
- If the drive belt tensioner is worn or damaged. The drive belt tensioner arm should rotate freely without binding.
NOTE: Pulleys being replaced for suspected bearing wear should be evaluated for rough bearings. Bearing noise that continues or rapidly returns after a replacement pulley is installed is usually belt chirp rather than worn bearings. Bearings should rotate smoothly with a slight resistance due to the permanent lubrication.
==========================================
A chirping noise from the accessory drive belt that is more noticeable at idle than at higher speeds may be caused by a power steering pump pulley (3A733) that is out of alignment.
The misaligned power steering pulley causes the accessory drive belt to chirp as the belt enters it on an angle on 4.9L engines, or after it leaves the power steering pump pulley, travels over the water pump pulley (8509) and enters into the crankshaft pulley (6312) on an angle on 5.0L and 5.8L engines. Verify that the chirping noise is coming from the entrance to one of these two pulleys by listening through a length of rubber hose or another stethoscope-like device.
If the chirp has been isolated to one of these pulleys, then correct this condition by aligning the power steering pump pulley using the following service procedure.
NOTE: Accessory drive belt chirp not corrected by this procedure may be caused by a damaged pulley or bent accessory shafts. Steady pulsation of the drive belt tensioner (6B209) indicates this condition. Observe each pulley in the system for runout.
============================================
If your have a startup squeal, I highly recommend reducing blower fan and turning off AC on startup , this if severe can cause your belt to glaze and then always make noise
If it still squeals, you may have whats known as belt PILLING. Thati s where the grooves of the pulleys are filling with belt material. After hours of cleaning my crank and ps pump and ac comp (replaced alt so diddnt bother there) I was able to reduce the startup squeal that would last seconds on my 4.9 even with no loads, it took a lot to clean the grooves of the pulleys since it beds in so tight.
If you have rust or debris on pulleys, clean em up
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 10,456
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From: Near Salt Lake City
I have a 1995 F-150 with the 302 and 4R70W, ever since I’ve owned it it has had a belt squeal that I can’t get rid of. So far I have replaced the tensioner, alternator, water pump pulley, A/C clutch, and idler pulley. If I replace the belt it will go away entirely for a couple months but then it starts to squeak every now and then and will get progressively worse until it starts squealing again. It sounds like the squeak is coming from the idler, I can’t get rid of the squeaking/squealing and it’s pissing me off, not sure if anyone has any ideas on how to go about this.
Look into that TSB for the waterpump pulley
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The engine for all he knows is from another truck or maybe sourced parts at some point from another
5th Wheeling
Joined: Jan 2025
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Yea I would like to fix it too just not dived into it yet trying to fix other things and that's just something to keep it quiet until I get to it. But I even tried a new belt and it still made the noise. Personally I think it is coming from one of the pulleys closer on the passenger side because when you move to the left it gets louder and quitter on the right side. In person anyways this is what it sounds like. 95 f150 302 as well. does it sound similar to that?
Mountain Pass
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 165
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Check the halfway point of movement for the tensioner pulley. When the belt's installed, you'll want that pulley somewhere around the halfway mark of its full-travel.
Could be you've got a larger replacement pulley somewhere, or some other issue which has made it so the stock belt length no longer works properly and you need a longer (or shorter) belt.
Could be you've got a larger replacement pulley somewhere, or some other issue which has made it so the stock belt length no longer works properly and you need a longer (or shorter) belt.
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