Hello,

This is my first post on this forum and I've only owned the Expedition for about a month and a half. This forum seems to be a great resource.

My question: I've noticed everytime I start the truck cold, there is a speaking noise that comes from under the engine compartment (what I'm assuming is the serpentine belt). I'm wondering how easy a repair is this to do it yourself? Any special tools, or is this easier/faster to have a mechanic put one on (not a dealership)?

Thanks for any help you can provide.

 

Sounds to me like you got a bad tensioner pulley. It could be a bad belt but I doubt it. How many miles are on it? If it's over 45,000 I would say change the belt first. Pretty easy job, All you need is a metric wrench and some strength. Just releaase the tensioner and slip the belt off the alternator pulley. Then put the neww belt on according to the pic on the underside of the hood. If it's a tensioner pulley it will come as a complets assembly and it's only 3 bolts that hold it in place. The easiest way to check this is when the belt is off spin the tensioner pulley and listen for bearing noise, also spin the idler pulley and listen for bearing noise. If it's a pulley problem you will definately hear it! If all is quiet then replace the belt and check to see if squeel is gone. I hope this helps!

 

Had the exact same issue with my 98 about 3 months ago. Bought a new good year gator back belt from Autozone for about $40 bucks including tax. Entire process of changing it took less than 10 minutes. Problem solved.