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115k miles. explorer developed a bad high pitch belt chirp-
the belt looked in good shape but maybe a touch loose?
i replaced the tensioner and it cut the noise dramatically- but it is still there.
i have now ordered a replacement belt and an idler pulley-
Are you sure it's a belt chirp and not a pulley/bearing? With the belt off, try spinning the driven components to see if any feel rough or replicate the sound.
Are you sure it's a belt chirp and not a pulley/bearing? With the belt off, try spinning the driven components to see if any feel rough or replicate the sound.
-Rod
thanks- I hadn’t thought about that- man I feel dumb. Thanks for the insight!
started it and smelled like burnt and smoked a but, popped good and didn’t see anything
went on a short drive and as soon as I turned it started screaming squealing
so I guess the power steering pulley will get my attention tomorrow when I pull the belt and check it out…..
The power steering puts quite a load on the belt drive, so if the belt is slipping on any of the pulleys, loading it via the power steering will cause the belt to squeal. That's not to say the issue isn't the power steering pump, but it could be another component as well. It could just be a belt that's glazed and slipping, or a self tensioner that's not applying enough tension on the belt. But plan to replace the belt too since it's most likely glazed now from the slipping and smoking.
Ok- replaced the tensioner he idler pulley and the belt
no it is a constant squeal and not an intermittent chirp
i noticed the power steering pulley had in and out play but all other pulleys seem fine
I am at a loss - I may put the old idler back on and see if that helps?
I started the motor without the belt on and it was quiet- I then put all new parts on and started vehicle 4 times and it was quiet- I thought it was fixed- then I drove it and 2 min in it went to the solid steel screech
Maybe try turning on the headlights and blower motor on high speed and see if that causes the screech to change. This might be a situation of the alternator having a bad bearing and after 2 minutes of driving, the alternator was trying to charge at a high rate, loading the belt, and also loading the bearings.
Drove it just a bit ago
lights on heater on just solid noise screech.
the new idler pulley seems to move in and out a little but the bolt is tight- don’t think the old one did? Don’t see how but maybe it has an issue? Power steering pulley having in and out play was curious-
the other pulleys seemed to be fine without the belt
I think I may drop the belt and idler pulley and try again tomorrow
so irritated
I guess I still think back to post #5 above. But considering the play that you have on the power steering pulley, it's still hard to say whether that's the issue or not. Do any of the pulleys have the appearance of melted rubber on them, or contaminants in the pulley grooves? Maybe a good cleaning and scrub of the pulley's you haven't just replaced would be worthwhile before replacing the power steering pulley. Brake cleaner and a wire brush may be useful for this.
well i feel dumb
took it to the mechanic for a look. he spent 2 seconds and said yeah- you are going to want to leave this here for repair.
the ballencer seperated from the crank pulley with the belt jumping to the smooth outer most pulley.
he said typically the rubber deteriated and they seperate throwing the belt off or just sending the seperated pulley into the fan and radiator.......
well the damn squeal is back with a vengeance.
i think its the ac compressor clutch.
i could isolate it the other day and get it to stop with a/c on max but now it is constant...
Based on that video clip it does seem reasonable to suspect either the A/C compressor clutch or possible the pulley bearing since that bearing would stop spinning when the clutch engages. A new clutch probably comes with a new pulley bearing as well. I guess you could try either removing the clutch from the pulley and field coil to see if the noise is still present or getting a belt for an Explorer without A/C (was that even an option?) to bypass the clutch and confirm the noise is either the belt or related to the A/C pulley/clutch.
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