Noisy... Tensioner???
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Noisy... Tensioner???
So for the last 4-6 months I've noticed a grinding noise coming from the lower left area of the engine (4.0L '99). Grinding as in a stone being held to a metal pulley kind of noise. No, I didn't find any rocks. I'm guessing it's the pulley tensioner, but everything listed in these forums refers to a squeaking kind of noise. I only hear it at near idle RPM's. Would simply replacing the tensioner, and putting a new belt on be advisable?
And, while you're reading this anyways... I had my A/T rebuilt about 2k miles ago at only 40k on it (lost 2nd-3rd gear... something about a pressure regulating valve going bad), and ever since, when I have the A/C or defrost on while driving, I get a very pronounced downshift into second gear (when coming to a stop). Should I be concerned? I trust the place that did the work, and I've been religiously checking my tranny fluid for change in color and odor. Or, is this simply because it's rebuilt, and not "original". I was also told that there's no break in on these computer controlled trannys, as far as the bands and clutches. Is that accurate?
Thanks in advance!
-Mike
And, while you're reading this anyways... I had my A/T rebuilt about 2k miles ago at only 40k on it (lost 2nd-3rd gear... something about a pressure regulating valve going bad), and ever since, when I have the A/C or defrost on while driving, I get a very pronounced downshift into second gear (when coming to a stop). Should I be concerned? I trust the place that did the work, and I've been religiously checking my tranny fluid for change in color and odor. Or, is this simply because it's rebuilt, and not "original". I was also told that there's no break in on these computer controlled trannys, as far as the bands and clutches. Is that accurate?
Thanks in advance!
-Mike
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From: Maine
Welcome to FTE!
You can use a broom handle held against your ear to determine exactly where the noise is coming from. Just make darn sure you don't get too close to the belt or fan! Once you know where the noise is coming from, you should be able to fix it. Grinding sounds like a bearing on one of the accessories. (You can verify this by taking the belt off and starting the engine, then seeing if the noise goes away, just don't run the engine too long like this.)
I had to replace the tensioner on my truck a couple years ago, it was about $80, so I wouldn't just replace it without knowing it was bad.
Can't help you with the tranny, sorry.
You can use a broom handle held against your ear to determine exactly where the noise is coming from. Just make darn sure you don't get too close to the belt or fan! Once you know where the noise is coming from, you should be able to fix it. Grinding sounds like a bearing on one of the accessories. (You can verify this by taking the belt off and starting the engine, then seeing if the noise goes away, just don't run the engine too long like this.)
I had to replace the tensioner on my truck a couple years ago, it was about $80, so I wouldn't just replace it without knowing it was bad.
Can't help you with the tranny, sorry.
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A much safer way to check if the noise is coming from is to take the belt off the pullies and try to wiggle it to see if it feels loose, and you can spin the pullies by hand to see which one it might be.
As far as breaking in your transmission there shouldn't be any thing you need to do other than check the fluid. I have a 98' ranger and had a small piece of the reverse band snap off and I had the whole transmission rebuilt. That was when I had about 78k on it and now I have like 158k on it and all I did to it since I had it rebuilt was have it flushed after like 20k to get any of the small shavings that can turn up after having it rebuilt and mine is work great.
As far as breaking in your transmission there shouldn't be any thing you need to do other than check the fluid. I have a 98' ranger and had a small piece of the reverse band snap off and I had the whole transmission rebuilt. That was when I had about 78k on it and now I have like 158k on it and all I did to it since I had it rebuilt was have it flushed after like 20k to get any of the small shavings that can turn up after having it rebuilt and mine is work great.
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From: SE Michigan
Does your truck have air conditioning? See if the noise goes away when you select air conditioning on. If the noise goes away with the air on then you have a bad bearing in the compressor clutch. My 91 4.0 with a/c had a bad clutch bearing that made a nasty grinding noise at lower speeds and at idle. I got a shorter serpentine belt to bypass the compressor so I could still drive it, till I got a new clutch bearing.
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i would really just change the belt and the idler pulley and go from there, murrays gave me a lifetime warranty on both, it cost me like 35 bucks and you cant beat lifetime warranty, its always nice to be able to rule things out, and if something is squeaking, unless uve done one in the last 45K i would just do it again
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Fixed!
Well, as I suspected, it was the tensioner. I put on a new Goodyear tensioner and gaterback belt, and it's good as new. While I was at it, I put new plugs and wires in also... Much easier than my '95 GT Mustang was! I've got to tell you guys... This forum is awesome. I never expected to have so many replies, so quickly. Thanks for all the help. I'll definitely come here again when I need some good Ranger know how!
-Mike
-Mike
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