Idler Pulley Issue

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Jun 7, 2004 | 01:58 PM

jasfaa

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From: Snohomish, Washington

Idler Pulley Issue

Anyone out there have an issue with the Idler Pulley tensioner bushing going bad? Just wanted to see if it was just me...

Jun 7, 2004 | 06:36 PM

IB Tim

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From: 3rd Rock

Quote:

Originally Posted by jasfaa

Anyone out there have an issue with the Idler Pulley tensioner bushing going bad? Just wanted to see if it was just me...

This is a rare occurrence and really a minor issue, which is GREAT for you.
Easy to fix by your dealer.
How many miles on the truck?

Jun 7, 2004 | 08:29 PM

jasfaa

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From: Snohomish, Washington

I figured it was and I was taking it in tomorrow anyway. The truck has 6500 miles on it, with no mods except exhaust from the cat back.

Jun 8, 2004 | 02:53 PM

deacjrt

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From: Orange Park, FL

jasfaa,

What indications do you have? I have a squeek in the morning when first starting up and idling. Could not duplicate at dealer because it wouldn't squeek, but thought about leaving overnight so they could hear first thing in the morning when it is cold? Is this similar to what you are experiencing? If it is I might just have them replace...Deac

Jun 8, 2004 | 03:04 PM

jasfaa

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From: Snohomish, Washington

Mine was not based on the cold weather but I heard it as the RPM's increased at first and thought it was in the tach in the dash initially. Then on Sunday, I opened the hood to find the top idler pulley was no longer perpendicular to the motor and the belt was rubbing on the motor. It also had torn some of the insulation off of the hood from loose rubber and the fan shroud. Basically Ford said the bearings failed in the top idler. I do not feel at this time that this is Ford's fault and it is just a mishap with the bearing manufacture or possibly the result of using cheaper bearins in the assembly. The tension on the serpentine is probably too great to really tell if your bearing is going bad like mine did, but you might be able to see it wobble or possibly hear the squeak when you start if your bearing is starting to wear.

Rumor only, but the tow truck that came to pick mine up stated that four of their F550's had a similar problem and after it was fixed it did not reoccur. I am hesitant about posting this because no one else has had this problem here and I hate to give everyone fuel to fire the rumor mill and that is all this is.

Jun 8, 2004 | 03:21 PM

deacjrt

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From: Orange Park, FL

I have a call into the Service Department, there is Service Advisor who owns a 2003 6.0 and I think he will let me know if there is a good possibility it is coming from there. I think they will probably just replace to be safe, they have been extremely well with other Ford's we have taken there. Thanks, I'll let you know if it turns out to be the same. Mine is a squeek at the front of the engine that only occurs when idling in the morning, goes away as the truck has been running. You can only hear if you are standing in front of the truck, not a big deal at all as truck runs fine and can't hear in cab, but if it can prevent a problem that would be good. Thanks again...Deac