Belt Question

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Feb 28, 2010 | 07:10 AM

96f150

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Fleet Mechanic

Joined: Nov 2000

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From: In my House

Belt Question

Is it the general concensus that using the gatorback belt usually gets rid of the belt squeal? I had the squeal and I changed the blet over to a Dayco belt, and now whenever the truck sits at night and there is moisture in air, it squeals until the blet warms up. I tried breaking the glaze on the pulleys but the noise is still there. Just asking you guys your opinion before I go buy the gatorback.
Thanks
Rich

Feb 28, 2010 | 07:15 AM

torkum

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Joined: Dec 2005

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From: Mount Juliet, TN

Maybe your tensioner is getting weak

Feb 28, 2010 | 07:19 AM

96f150

Thread Starter

Fleet Mechanic

Joined: Nov 2000

Posts: 1,713

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From: In my House

Yea,..I was wondering about that too. Its on my 01 with 103k on it, I wouldnt (think) that it would be goin gout already, but how would one check it for proper spring tension?, I may just see if i can "add" a bit of manual tension next time its raining out and see what happens
Rich

Feb 28, 2010 | 08:37 AM

steve(ill)

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Joined: Jul 2005

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i have sprayed dishwasher soap on the pulleys and cleaned with a paint brush, then wash off with a hose... that eliminated the noise on the F150. rubbing the belt slightly with steel wool helps to make them grab sometimes... that being said, i had a mini van 15years ago that NEVER would stop the noise. tried everything, no help.

Feb 28, 2010 | 08:44 AM

96f150

Thread Starter

Fleet Mechanic

Joined: Nov 2000

Posts: 1,713

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From: In my House

Thanks Steve, Maybe I'll try the soap during the week. I already took the belt off and took a scotchbrite pad to the back of it, I didn't do the pulleys though......Anyhow...looks like you'll be hitting 200k pretty soon!! Fill us in on how thats done!! Any tips? How many times you changes your plugs?
Rich

Feb 28, 2010 | 04:41 PM

galaxie641

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Joined: Nov 2006

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From: SE Wyoming

Interesting I've never had a squeal in 250K+ miles. I switched to a gatorback back around 175K and the very first day I had it on it squealed once when I hit a rather large puddle of water but never squealed after the truck sat for any period of time.

One of these days I need to change that belt.

Mar 1, 2010 | 09:43 PM

Podaso

Senior User

Joined: Jan 2010

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The automatic tensioner has marks on it that tell you if it's a belt issue or a tensioner issue. Look in the Chilton manual or search online and it will tell you which mark is which. Hopefully that makes sense.