Sqweeking upon startup.
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Senior User
Joined: Sep 2004
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Sqweeking upon startup.
I've had this problem since I've owned the truck late last year. I figured it was time for a new belt, so i replcaced it. sqweeking went away for about a month, but its starting to do it again. Does this mean something is out of adjustment and is screwing with my belt?
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 2,420
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From: Langhorne, PA
You could make a stethoscope with a garden hose.Cut a three foot long piece and place the one end of the hose close to were the sound is and listen to the other end, the louder it is, the closer to the squeak you are.
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 724
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From: Cypress, CA
Again, check all of the pulleys for alignment. The serpentine belts are not forgiving when it comes to foreign materials in their path - e.g. oil, grease, water etc. I have personally never been successful at cleaning and reusing a serpentine belt with any sustained effect.
IF all of your pulleys are in alignment, remove the belt, clean all of the pulley surfaces thoroughly with lacquer thinner/acetone/alcohol until your rag wipes clean. Wash your hands thoroughly (as to not transfer anything onto the belt) and install a replacement belt.
Like Phoneman says, it could very well be the tensioner however if it was me, I would try cleaning everything first and go from there.
Keep us posted.
Russ
IF all of your pulleys are in alignment, remove the belt, clean all of the pulley surfaces thoroughly with lacquer thinner/acetone/alcohol until your rag wipes clean. Wash your hands thoroughly (as to not transfer anything onto the belt) and install a replacement belt.
Like Phoneman says, it could very well be the tensioner however if it was me, I would try cleaning everything first and go from there.
Keep us posted.
Russ
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 2,420
Likes: 3
From: Langhorne, PA
I'm bummed about what I did to my tensioner! I installed a brand new dealer supplied tensioner last year and everything was fine. My power steering leaked and after the repair, I degreased the area and I accidently squirted degreaser into the tensioner bearing and now it squeaks once in a while. I think they use a cheap sealed bearing in the tensioner pulley, so keep the "Gunk" (engine cleaner) away from that bearing.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 150
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From: Aurora,Colorado
It is possible to just buy a new tensioner pulley and bolt. It is cheaper than buying a new tensioner(the pulley comes with the tensioner assembly)--but I figured that at 99k miles--my truck could use both the pulley and new bearings and also the tensioner.
I suspect that in most cases--the bearings in the tensioner pulley are the source of most of these problems of loud squeaking
I suspect that in most cases--the bearings in the tensioner pulley are the source of most of these problems of loud squeaking
Last edited by phoneman71; May 12, 2005 at 06:37 PM.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,372
Likes: 14
From: West Cornwall, CT
Another cause of sqeaking belts is a glazed pulley. If the squeak is louder when accelerating/decelerating the engine, I'd suspect the crank pulley.
The glaze can be removed with a skotchbrite pad and some elbow grease.
Lou Braun
The glaze can be removed with a skotchbrite pad and some elbow grease.
Lou Braun
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Junior User
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 70
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From: Apopka Florida
Sounds from under the hood
I don't know what engine you have in your truck but I have a sqweaking sound under my hood too. I put a new belt on and it seemed to stop for awhile but now it is back. I took it to a local shop and was told that there is a metal tube at the rear of the engine that is some kind of anti pollution crap that goes between the cylinders and when the valve is shot it makes a noise just like belts sqweaking. Mines a 93 351W.
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 2,155
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From: Centerville, Iowa
Had this too. Replaced my belt with a 92.5" belt to bypass my air pump, and it worked fine for 2 weeks then started squaking every time I would start my truck. Pissed me off..cost me 50 bucks for that belt (100 dollars after Napa didn't charge my card immediately and I got gas twice with neg balance on that account). Now I'm putting up with my rattling air pump and stock belt again.
