Noise coming from the belt area

[EliteFord]

HI folks, i have what sounds like a continuous uneven chirping sound coming from the belt area when i start the car in the morning. Yesterday it did it for the first time after being driven for a while. Just crossed 150k this last weekend.

Anyone know of a cause?

thanks.

 

[stamp11127]

One of the bearings in the accessory drive is worn out. Take the serp belt off and spin each pulley by hand, the rough one will be the problem.

 

[EliteFord]

ok, does that mean releasing the belt tensioner, pulling the belt off, and spinning them?

is there more than one accessory drive?

thank you.

 

[Bedrck47]

Yes you will need to release the tension on the belt You may not have to remove the belt as long as you can spin the different pulleys. Check each pulley the belt makes contact with, Alt, Water pump Etc.

 

[EliteFord]

ok thank you, will attempt that. then i'm sure i'll be searching on how to replace that pulley.

 

[Bedrck47]

That will all depend on what or if you find something wrong

Also when you spin any pulley check it to see if it has any side to side play in the bearing

 

[stamp11127]

We never said it will be a just a pulley, it can be the bearing in the water pump, idler pulley, ac clutch pulley, alternator, tensioner or power steering pulley.

 

[JoeD]

also check the condition of the belt itself while you're at it, and exercise the tensioner too

 

[rjdelp7]

I fixed my chirp, with a Goodyear Gatorback belt. It says on package"the quiet belt". Avoid Dayco belts, they are know for this noise. Clean the smooth faced pulleys, before installing new belt. Sometimes they have dirt/rubber build up.

 

[EliteFord]

so to replace the belt you just pull the tension-er and belt off and replace. but just be careful nothing spins while off?

 

[Snag]

Yep, kind of. The tensioner doesn't need pulled, it just needs released with a I think mine was a 3/8" drive ratchet. Pay attention to the arrangement of the belt, it goes over and under many devices. There is a belt diagram on the fan shroud is where mine was at. Or draw a pic of the arrangement. But I wouldn't recommend just replacing your belt as the fix. I would check each device as indicated above to make sure all are in good shape. And it don't matter if they turn as there is no sequencing of any of the devices on the fan drive belt. Spin each and make sure they are quiet and not loose side to side and up and down or feels rough/gravely.
good luck
Gary

 

[rjdelp7]

There are some good clips on Youtube. I rented(free at Advance Auto) a belt tool. You insert into tensioner and push. then pull belt off the alternator. To re-install, feed belt between tensioner and idler, down to a/c compressor, first. Loop around, following diagram, near hood latch. Leave it off alternator. release tension(with tool again) and loop around alternator. Make sure to check, belt is seated in all pulleys!