please help me!
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Elder User
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 576
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From: crete, illinois
please help me!
alright, some of you guys have read my problem about a sqweek from the front end of my ranger. i took some of the advice and it really didn't do any better but i do appreciate the comments. anyway, for those that don't remember or know what i'm talking about, i've had a sqweek coming from, i thought, the belt or the idler-pulley or some other pulley. it has seriously been driving me nuts. i also tried belt-dressing by the way. the other day i noticed a couple of cracks in the belt (changed three times already) so i changed it with a "gator-back" goodyear "quiet" belt. low and behold, no more noise. it just purred like a kitten. i was extatic
, for four days. then it started sqweeking again 
but now its really doing something weird. its sounds like a knock and its getting louder. i literally just looked under the hood and it sounds like the noise is coming from the alternator pulley. could the alternator be going, maybe the bearings? i've got normal voltage according to the gage and it starts with no problem. its seems the sqweek gave way to this new noise. can i get to the bottom of this for once and for all? thanks guys!
, for four days. then it started sqweeking again but now its really doing something weird. its sounds like a knock and its getting louder. i literally just looked under the hood and it sounds like the noise is coming from the alternator pulley. could the alternator be going, maybe the bearings? i've got normal voltage according to the gage and it starts with no problem. its seems the sqweek gave way to this new noise. can i get to the bottom of this for once and for all? thanks guys!
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2004
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From: Ventura ,ca. (near L.A.)
If your possitive it's not the alternator then it's most likely the idler pulley or the tensioner. I also have developed a belt squeek. On damp mornings only for the first 20 seconds after start up. I have 57k on my truck and the stock belt. There is only one small crack belt non the less it's squeeking. I'm going to replace the belt and if that doesn't fix the problem replace the tentioner, and if thats not it it has to be the idler.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,748
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From: Connecticut
Try and pinpoint the noise a little better. Pick up a mechanic's stethoscope (about 10 bucks) at the local parts store (or use a long screwsdriver and put the handle up against your ear), and then probe the suspected areas for the noise. Touch the tip of the probe on the various components that might cause a squeak (anything with a pulley on it).
A bad camshaft position synchronizer can also make a squeaking noise:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/s...hreadid=202004
A bad camshaft position synchronizer can also make a squeaking noise:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/s...hreadid=202004
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2005
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A bad synchronizer will sound just like belt noise.. .pay close attention.. is the noise coming from the front or the rear of the engine? Try removing the belt and running it for a couple minutes (but not any longer as it will overheat).. if the noise is still there... or coming from the rear.. it's most likely the cam position synchronizer... installs just like a distributor...
MAKE SURE you position the new on EXACTLY as the old one was.. a variation of as little as a couple degrees will set off your check engine light
MAKE SURE you position the new on EXACTLY as the old one was.. a variation of as little as a couple degrees will set off your check engine light
New User
Joined: Oct 2005
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alternator check
Loosen the serp. belt and see if there is any "play" in the ALTERNATOR PULLEY. If so, the ALT. bearings are bad.(this has happen to me before...and it made a screaching sound.)
Also, If you are going through a lot of belts, maybe you are applying too much pressure.
Good luck
Also, If you are going through a lot of belts, maybe you are applying too much pressure.
Good luck
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Elder User
Joined: Sep 2005
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From: crete, illinois
well thanks again guys. the noise is definately coming from the front of the motor. the sqweek is gone but like i said it has this kind of knocking noise. it is definately coming from the alternator, i put my hand on it and you can feel it. its weird to me though because of the quick starts and even voltage. i have never encountered this type of thing so before i go and get a new alternator i want to make sure i have to. i know when bearings go bad in anything they make all kinds of strange noise. the main reason i have put on different belts mainly is because of noise not wear. is there a way to adjust the tension and is it hard to change the tensioner if i have to? keep'em coming please, i need to solve this. i'm going to get a stethescope right now for the hell of it!
New User
Joined: Oct 2005
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replace alt.
It's the windings and brushes (i think) that affect your voltage. if you catch the squeal early enough and let-off the tension, you might be able to get away without replacement.
You'll probably save yourself a lot of grief by replacing the alt. and learning to put on the serp belt properly. e-e-eaasy on the belt! Hope it works out
You'll probably save yourself a lot of grief by replacing the alt. and learning to put on the serp belt properly. e-e-eaasy on the belt! Hope it works out
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Elder User
Joined: Sep 2005
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From: crete, illinois
putting on the belt properly? all i did was put a wrench on the tensioner and remove the old belt then put on the new one. i didn't mess with the adjustment or anything, as far as i'm concerned its in the stock location. the belt is in the grooves of the pulley and that should be it, no?
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Thread Starter
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Elder User
Joined: Sep 2005
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From: crete, illinois
yea, i also came real close to actually doing it but i just couldn't. my hands are my lively hood, if i lose a finger or something it'll be a bit difficult to machine. i'm buying a new alternator this weekend and hopefully that will be the end of it. the knocking i'm getting now is getting louder. i put a stethescope on every pulley and every device in the area. the noise is coming from the alternator. last saturday i took it off and took up to autozone. i had it tested and it passed, it also made no noise. i could feel the bearings dragging a bit however and i know the tester they have doesn't really put a load on it so i wouldn't hear anything. i didn't want to buy a value-craft or a duralast and everybody else was closing so i had to wait. does car-craft have good alternators, i know ford has motorcraft but they got to be $300. right? how about murray? tanks!
Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 10,562
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From: South Jersey
Originally Posted by jkexplorer10
try putting a wrench on the tensioner while the noise is present and tighten and loosen the tensioner you should hear a change in noise if it is tensioner or pulley related
Tuned
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 298
Likes: 3
I have seen Motocraft alternators that had problems with the windings coming loose and making a knocking noise. If it is doing it you should be able to remove the belt and turn the alt shaft back and forth and hear/feel it.
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Elder User
Joined: Sep 2005
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From: crete, illinois
Originally Posted by budman-mo
I have seen Motocraft alternators that had problems with the windings coming loose and making a knocking noise. If it is doing it you should be able to remove the belt and turn the alt shaft back and forth and hear/feel it.