I need some help.

I have an 89 Bronco that just started squeaking / squealing very badly. I can squirt some Belt Dressing for squeaking and squealing and it will quiet it down until I get to work. When I go to start it back up at lunch time, it does it again. And again after work. It will die down after it warms up (5 or so minutes) but never totally stops. It seems to be more pronounced when I am accelerating because when it shifts, it seems to be lessened but as the RPM's increase, so does the noise. My serpentine belt is one from AutoZone and is less than a year old if it matters. Most of the time I go with FORD. I have been driving for 26 years and have never had a belt problem but there is always a 1st huh ?

Thanks for all of your help because everyone has been so helpful in the past.

Frank Carruth
1989 Ford Bronco
302 w/239, 000 miles

 

Two things to check. I am assuming a serpentine type belt here. Check the tensioner for its holding capabilities. A weak tensioner will let the belt slip. On my '92 there is an arrow and a mark on the tensioner to show how much stretch the belt has in it. Basically if the arrow is not within the gauge-type mark the belt has stretched too much and should be replaced.
The other possibility is some sort of fluid getting on the belt. I had a '65 Caddy that had a dying water pump that was dripping coolant on the P/S belt and no matter how tight I got that belt, the coolant dripping on it made it sqeal.

 

Another check for the tensioner is to see how much tension the belt has on it. If you can sit there and flop the belt around, the tensioner itself is shot. If it is nice and tight, I'd take off the belt, and see what doesn't turn freely.

Jared

 

Look at each pulley while the engine is running and see which one isn't turning, or is turning slowly.

 

FUNNY THING I HAD THE SAME TYPE OF SITUATION AND IT TURNED OUT TO BE THE FAN CLUTCH. JUST THOUGHT YOU MIGHT WANT TO CHECK THAT WHILE YOUR UNDER THE HOOD.

 

I was planning on doing the fan clutch this weekend but will check water pump etc... as well.

Thanks for everyones help.

Heck, if I could get this much response and help from our endusers here at work I could get a whole lot more done !!!

Thanks again and I'll let you know what it took to fix it.

Frank
1989 EB Bronco w/302
230,000 miles

 

I have this problem on my 93 Bronco 5.8L . Take a look at your tension pulley with the engine off and see if it has flat spots on it. They will appear as little round circles on the surface of the pulley. When these flat spots occur it causes your belt to ever so slightly slip over these spots. If this is the case it may be time to replace the pulley. Good luck and post your findings.