idler pulley
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Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2006
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From: Leamington, Ontario
idler pulley
I've got this chirping noise coming from my engine. I have a 2003 with the 3.0. It only happens when the engine is at temperature and at higher RPM's. I know it's not the belt because the belt looks to be in good condition, and this chirping doesn't sound like the chrip you hear when a belt is going, it is definatly a bearing. Either the belt tensioner or the idler pulley.
I was able to get enough pressure on the tensioner (clockwise direction) to get it to losen off a little bit but I can't get it loose enough to get the belt off so I can pull off the idler and replace. So my question to you guys is how the heck do I get enough force on the tensioner to get it to slide the belt off the pulley?
Is the idler a complete unit where I would have to remove the power steering pump/AC compressor to get the thing off or can I just get the bearing? I really don't want to have to take this thing into the dealer and have then flush the AC so that they can get the compressor off.
I was able to get enough pressure on the tensioner (clockwise direction) to get it to losen off a little bit but I can't get it loose enough to get the belt off so I can pull off the idler and replace. So my question to you guys is how the heck do I get enough force on the tensioner to get it to slide the belt off the pulley?
Is the idler a complete unit where I would have to remove the power steering pump/AC compressor to get the thing off or can I just get the bearing? I really don't want to have to take this thing into the dealer and have then flush the AC so that they can get the compressor off.
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,155
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From: sunny fla sometimes windy
You need to get more leverage! It will move enough to get the belt off with the right persuasion. My girls at work or I would check mine, You don't have a spot to put a ratchet in it(Square hole either 3/8 or 1/2") I never paid attention to mine. If you don't you'll just have to use a steel bar or rebar. Something you might want to try is get a long screwdriver and put it up to the pulley and listen to it. Just to make sure it isn't a glaze forming on the pulleys that can make it do a little chirp Put a bit of water all over the belt and pulleys and start it up. We had a Mack dump truck that would do it constantly real loud (not a squeal a repetitive chirp chirp chirp) It was annoying as anything you could imagine. You'll need to staple some steel wool to a contractor stake and start it up and let the pulleys do a few rotations on the steel wool just enough to get that glaze off. Be real CAREFUL and hold onto it tightly!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 13,851
Likes: 111
From: SW Va
Don't know who's tensioner you have on your 3.0L, but my 4.0L has a 3/8" square drive hole in it's casting, that'll allow me to use a breaker bar to easily move the tensioner enough to slip the back side of the belt off the walless Idler pulley.
My 94 Taurus 3.8L @ 65K miles, developed a cricket like "chirp", that after cleaning the pulleys & rplacing the belt, turned out to be the idler pulley bearing.
The pulley turned quietly when rotated, but had a ever so slight side to side, looseness/play/wobble.
I could barely feel it & I missed it on my initial check. So if your idler has some miles on it & it's bearings aren't snug, it probably belongs on your suspect list.
Let us know what you find.
My 94 Taurus 3.8L @ 65K miles, developed a cricket like "chirp", that after cleaning the pulleys & rplacing the belt, turned out to be the idler pulley bearing.
The pulley turned quietly when rotated, but had a ever so slight side to side, looseness/play/wobble.
I could barely feel it & I missed it on my initial check. So if your idler has some miles on it & it's bearings aren't snug, it probably belongs on your suspect list.
Let us know what you find.
The Pacifier
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,245
Likes: 7
From: Cloverdale, BC
You're gonna need more leverage, as already suggested. When I replaced my idler, I also replaced the tensioner and the belt at the same time. I did not have to remove anything else other than the idler and tensioner. However, they were both a pain to do, what with the tight tolerances, I could barely get my arm down there. And the finger cramps. Good luck with that.
