Engine bay noise
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Trailering
Joined: Apr 2025
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Engine bay noise
Hello,
Not huge mechanically inclined but learning more each time. Over the past week or so, I’ve noticed a chirping/ squeaking like sound. It appears to get louder/ more prevalent at idle vs driving. I changed the oil yesterday and that did nothing. The belts themselves appear fine. From what I read, they aren’t torn/shiny/damaged.
Not huge mechanically inclined but learning more each time. Over the past week or so, I’ve noticed a chirping/ squeaking like sound. It appears to get louder/ more prevalent at idle vs driving. I changed the oil yesterday and that did nothing. The belts themselves appear fine. From what I read, they aren’t torn/shiny/damaged.
Hotshot
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 10,842
Likes: 2,612
From: The Shenandoah Valley
Belts will do it as will a alternator or other bearing. Next time it does it, try spraying the belt with belt dressing. It comes in a spray bottle from most any auto parts store or Walmart, etc. Just spray the belt as it idles, watch out for moving parts. Doesn't take much.
Last edited by tbear853; Oct 23, 2025 at 09:40 AM.
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 6,637
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From: Albuquerque
I would use water instead. I have seen belt dressing cause the belts to grap and make a sound very much like a rod knock. Wasted a lot of time chasing the sound once untill I remembered using the dressing.
If you have AC it could be the idler pulley.
If you have AC it could be the idler pulley.
Thread Starter
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Trailering
Joined: Apr 2025
Posts: 21
Likes: 4
Belts will do it as will a alternator or other bearing. Next time it does it, try spraying the belt with belt dressing. It comes in a spray bottle from most any auto parts store or Walmart, etc. Just spray the belt as it idles, watch out for moving parts. Doesn't take much.
Thread Starter
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Trailering
Joined: Apr 2025
Posts: 21
Likes: 4
Hotshot
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 10,842
Likes: 2,612
From: The Shenandoah Valley
I've seen big screw drivers used, but I also saw one thrown plumb across a shop.
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Moderator & parts slinger
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From: S/W Missouri, Polk county
X2 what ever you do, BE CAREFUL when working with the truck running. The fan blade, belts, moving alternator parts, p/s pump pulley ect are not kind to fingers....Do you have a fan shroud? If not BE EXTRA CAREFUL. Check the p/s fluid, do the belt dressing or water trick and check belt tention (when the truck is shut off). Flat edge on top of pullys, measure the belt flex down amount.
Do not alwasy stand in front of the truck to try and find the noise, try standing on one side of the truck engine bay and then try the other side. Have some one else do the throttle blip bump to get the sound to come and go. Yes a simple 1/2 or 1/2" wooden dowl rod works, same for the eng stethoscope.
Also have them apply some steering changes to it, at idle and at a little bit above idle.
https://www.harborfreight.com/mechan...ope-63691.html
Do not alwasy stand in front of the truck to try and find the noise, try standing on one side of the truck engine bay and then try the other side. Have some one else do the throttle blip bump to get the sound to come and go. Yes a simple 1/2 or 1/2" wooden dowl rod works, same for the eng stethoscope.
Also have them apply some steering changes to it, at idle and at a little bit above idle.
https://www.harborfreight.com/mechan...ope-63691.html
Last edited by 77&79F250; Oct 29, 2025 at 09:48 PM.
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Thread Starter
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Trailering
Joined: Apr 2025
Posts: 21
Likes: 4
Fixed
It was the belt. Hit the bottom of the belt that makes contact with the pulley using the spray. Went away instantly. Doesn’t sound like it’s gonna blow up anymore lol
Last edited by 1978 F150 Nik; Oct 27, 2025 at 10:21 PM.
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