Belt Whine
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Junior User
Joined: Oct 2006
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Belt Whine
Hello All,
I've got a '93 F150 XLT with the 4.9L. Over the last week, I've detected a pretty significant whinning from the belt system. I'm thinking it's coming from the power steering pump, but I can't tell for sure. There doesn't seem to be an increase in sound level when I turn sharply. I think it's either the p/s pump or the tensioner. Any other ideas?
Also, I checked the p/s fluid level, and it registers near the lower end of the "Full" meter of the p/s dipstick. Could this be the culprit?
Thanks in advance for any help/tips!
I've got a '93 F150 XLT with the 4.9L. Over the last week, I've detected a pretty significant whinning from the belt system. I'm thinking it's coming from the power steering pump, but I can't tell for sure. There doesn't seem to be an increase in sound level when I turn sharply. I think it's either the p/s pump or the tensioner. Any other ideas?
Also, I checked the p/s fluid level, and it registers near the lower end of the "Full" meter of the p/s dipstick. Could this be the culprit?
Thanks in advance for any help/tips!
Junior User
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 59
Likes: 1
From: North Royalton, Ohio
Does it make the noise while idleing? If so, there is a "old timer" way of finding where a noise comeing from. Get a long screwdriver and hold the tip on to the any none moveing parts of the engine. Put the other end up to your ear Most of the time you can hear a the grinding of bad bearings if that is the cause.
First I would remove the belt from the tensioner and see if there is still spring left in the tensioner pull, or possible seized. Check belt see if it worn. Then if that didn't fix it, I'd do screwdriver test.
First I would remove the belt from the tensioner and see if there is still spring left in the tensioner pull, or possible seized. Check belt see if it worn. Then if that didn't fix it, I'd do screwdriver test.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,227
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From: The OC
First, get some WD-40 and spray the tensioner pulley bearing with the engine off. Start the engine, spray the bearing again. The fan will blow the spray, so use the red nozzle. Listen for the whine. If whine is still there, get a 1/2 inch breaker bar or ratchet, twist your tensioner, remove belt and check the pulley for play. If it is worn out , replace. If pulley spins and bearing is tight, you have ruled out the tensioner pulley.
Last edited by lv2race; Nov 20, 2006 at 10:21 PM.
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Junior User
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Hello All,
Well, I attempted to locate the source of my constant whine using a long screw driver. I'm pretty sure it's not the power steering pump. I attempted to spray the tensioner pulley with WD-40. The constant whine is still there. I'm interested in loosening up the tensioner pulley to see if that's the culprit. I'm a bit of a newbie, and so I've never dealt with the belt/pulley system. What are some things that I should be aware of and looking for if I'm going to loosen the tensioner? Is there a specific tightness I need to achieve when I put it back together? Also, how would I know if the belt needs replacing?
Thank you all in advance for any help/tips you can provide!
Well, I attempted to locate the source of my constant whine using a long screw driver. I'm pretty sure it's not the power steering pump. I attempted to spray the tensioner pulley with WD-40. The constant whine is still there. I'm interested in loosening up the tensioner pulley to see if that's the culprit. I'm a bit of a newbie, and so I've never dealt with the belt/pulley system. What are some things that I should be aware of and looking for if I'm going to loosen the tensioner? Is there a specific tightness I need to achieve when I put it back together? Also, how would I know if the belt needs replacing?
Thank you all in advance for any help/tips you can provide!
New User
Joined: Nov 2006
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if you can pull that belt 3/4" from the center and there are more than 3 cracks in an inch, replace that dude!
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Junior User
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Great!! Thank you guys for the tips!! One other question...if I take the tensioner pulley off, is there any way to determine whether the bearings are bad or not? Also, when I go to put the tensioner pulley back on, is there any special way of doing this? Hush210, you say that the tensioner is spring loaded. So does that mean I just tighten it back up and that will achieve the necessary tension for the entire belt system?
Again, thank you all in advance for the help!
Again, thank you all in advance for the help!
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Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 2,171
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From: Denton, TX
93tankus, You're reading correct. You'll feel any issues with the tensioner when you spin it and wiggle it. Use a long 1/2" drive ratchet or breaker bar to rotate the tensioner to loosen it for belt removal. Make note of the belte route (it's probably drawn on a sticker in front of the radiator) so you can duplicate it after replacing the belt and/or tensioner. Replace the tensioner and use the 1/2" drive again and make the tensioner the last pully you loop the belt over.
If you replace the belt, once it is off of all of the pullys you can snake it around the radiator fan to get the old one off and the new one on. While your at it, spin all of the belt driven devices checking for looseness and noise. You may discover another issue you can address now or plan to soon.
If you replace the belt, once it is off of all of the pullys you can snake it around the radiator fan to get the old one off and the new one on. While your at it, spin all of the belt driven devices checking for looseness and noise. You may discover another issue you can address now or plan to soon.
Junior User
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 59
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From: North Royalton, Ohio
93, I am not sure if you understand about the spring load. You do not have to take off the tensioner pulley assembly. Put a wrench on the bolt in front the pulley. when you apply presure away from the belt. The swing arm to the pulley should swing. You never just try to replace the bearings.(Knew one guy that did) just replace the whole assembly.
This is not intended to make one feel bad, I just didn't know how much you know about the tensioner and how it works. Sry if I offend.
This is not intended to make one feel bad, I just didn't know how much you know about the tensioner and how it works. Sry if I offend.
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No worries, RJP. I was a bit confused as to what the correct way was to relieve the tension, so thanks for the advice!
I was able to remove the old belt and replace it, take the tensioner pulley off, and check and lube all of the bearings. The whinning has seemed to have gone away!! At least for now!
Thank you all for the help! I really appreciate it!
I was able to remove the old belt and replace it, take the tensioner pulley off, and check and lube all of the bearings. The whinning has seemed to have gone away!! At least for now!
Thank you all for the help! I really appreciate it!