Howdy all,

I gots a problem. A month or two ago, I had a squealing noise. Replaced the belt, and all was good. Starting about 3 days ago, I'm getting a squealing noise around 1700-2000 RPMs and higher.

So I sprayed on some belt conditioner (I know, I know. I didn't research first). The noise got waaaay worse. So I figured it was the tensioner... just got in from changing it, also hosed down the belt with brake cleaner and gave it a good cleaning.

Squealing is much better, but still present. It's a minor tick around idle, and increases with engine speed.

Anyone have any ideas what to try next? I noticed some crap around the pulley on the top of the engine that doesn't drive anything (don't know what it's called). Wire-wheeled it a bit but still have noise.

 

I think I have the same problem you do. My truck makes a squealing noise from ~2000 RPM's to ~2500 RPM's and then it goes away. It sounds like a bad belt but it's a little more high pitched than that. I'll keep checking in to see if anybody has found any solutions. Good luck.

 

IDLER PULLEY!!! take that belt off check for play....... replace it takes 2 minutes. get a gatorback belt

 

^^ those pulleys come loose fairly often on 4.0.

 

Exhaust Leak.

 

yup they do and ford made it easy to change

 

Mine did that for about a day and then it went away. Sounded like the belt, could have been the idler pulley. I think it may have just been dust from offroading the day before and it settled on the belt. The squeak is gone now, so I know this it's much help, but I would clean a lubricate the idler pulley and probably change the belt again after ya hosed that one down with belt dressing and brake cleaner.

As for an exhaust leak: Worth trying to tighten your exhaust manifold down. Seeing as how you drive a 2004 Ranger, I doubt the gaskets are bad.

 

By idler, you mean the tensioner, right? Lower passenger side? If so, I already replaced it. It's getting worse.

Got a new belt today, gonna replace it in the morning. Picked up the same one that's in there so I can take one back if need be (one in there has < 3k miles on it).

 

Yeah, the idler is the pulley on the belt tensioner.

If changing the belt doesn't work. All I can suggest is greasing up all the moving parts on the front of your engine. Squealing is usually just dry parts rubbing together, obviously.

 

Changed the belt this morning before I left for work... seems quiet now.

Stumped as to why the last belt didn't last even 3k miles. Could a bad tensioner do that? (Note it's already been replaced)

 

Well I'll just assume my problem is the same thing, tensioner and/or belt. If you don't mind me asking, on a scale of 1-10, how hard was it to replace, and how much did it cost you?

 

Both were pretty easy to replace... I'd say a 2 (I'd define front brake pads as a 3, for reference). Had to remove the intake hose... big flat-head screwdriver for the two main connections took care of that, then just pushed it aside (couldn't figure out how to undo the small "T" on it). Just needed a 1/2" drive ratchet and a cheater bar. Belt was about $30. Tensioner $40.

 

Sweet! Thanks a lot man, I know what I'll be doing this weekend, haha.

 

And it's back again. Just a chirping... follows RPMs. Not even 1,000 miles on the new belt.

Found the idler pulley (which I learned is *not* the same as the tensioner) had a bit of play in it, so I replaced it. Still squealing. Did I destroy the other belt by having a bad idler? I'm getting very sick of this.

 

mine does it only in the winter months, its a 02 xlt 4.0, i think my is from the timing chain, im not worried about it. i figure its been doin the past 4 years and it hasnt gotten any worse. open the hood and see if the sound is coming from driver rear of the motor around the valve covers

 

It's definitely from the front, and goes away promptly when I change out the belt. If it continues as in the past, by the end of next week it should be squealing pretty good.

 

yea obviously they are different lol. no you didn't destroy the belt. when the belts off see if all the pulleys have any play in them or if any are hard to spin. do you have splash guards under the truck? Maybe its the brand belt your using try a gator back if you can find them.

 

Don't think I have a splash guard. I'll pull it apart after I get back from Detroit and see what's up with the pulleys. I find it hard to believe that the brand of belt would make a difference at < 1,000 miles. If I replace it again, I'll try a different brand just to rule it out though. Thing is really starting to get on my nerves.

 

They do recommend replacing belts and pulley and tensioner at the same time. they were designed to have similar maintenance intervals.

Have you been able to locate which side of the engine its coming from?

the alternators' bearings are also a possibility, are you sure you have the proper sized belt could be something as simple as a mistake at the parts store.

 

I am also having a horrible squeaking noise problem. Keep the threads going. I am curious to hear everyone's results. I have posted about this problem also through the 4.0L section. If you would like to check it out here is the link

https://www.ranger-forums.com/f33/da...eaking-118042/

 

Ok, pulled 'er apart. Everything seems tight, except for one pulley which I can push in and out ~1/16". Gonna show my mechanical inability... what is this and how hard is it to replace? Looks like power steering pump?

 

Think I figured out that it's the power steering pump in the picture above.

Squealing is far worse today, exactly as predicted. Sounds more like a bearing now.

*edit* After taking the belt off and giving everything one last good turn before taking on the power steering pump, I heard the ever-so softest squeak from the alternator. Now I know I'm off in the weeds. Gonna take the pump back and get an alternator.... easier to swap out and less to go wrong if that's not it.

Sorry for blowing up in the post before. No excuse for it. Just flew off the handle.

 

Strike 1.... not the alternator. Replaced with new and squeal is still there at ~2krpm.

 

Messed around with it a bit more. Sounds like it's coming from the center of the engine compartment. So here's where I'm at...

* Ruled out alternator
* Ruled out idler pulley
* Ruled out tensioner
* Not sure about belt. Bad after 750 miles? Twice?
* Not sure about power steering pump. Is it normal to have any play in it? My replacement had the same 1/16" play and I chickened out on the swap.
* Not sure about A/C. Squealing is independent of A/C being on, but stops for a brief moment when A/C first kicks on.
* Crank pulley looks to be in decent shape (rubber is all there and not deteriorated, does not move by hand)
* Ran without a belt for a few moments, sound completely went away

Anyone have any ideas? At this point I'm ready to take it into a shop because I've hit a dead end.

 

Belt is squealing continuously at all RPMs now. Gets worse as it spins faster.

Got a stethoscope and can't find anything obvious.

Tried sandpaper on the back of the belt... no go.

Tried sandpaper on the idler. No go.

Broke down and ordered a gatorback. If that doesn't do it, it's going in a shop.