Extremely Annoying Belt Squeak

[sneaky98gt]

So, I've got a belt squeak that started about 3 weeks ago. It only does it when I first crank it up, and goes away after about 10 or 15 minutes of driving. It's hard to tell, but it sounds like it's coming from the passenger side, maybe the tensioner or AC compressor area. It varies directly with the rpm. I can get a video later if need be, but it's warm right now and isn't squeaking, so no video for now. It sounds like this, except louder. YouTube - 96 Mustang GT belt squeak (Procharger) Spraying belt conditioner on the belt quietened it down, but it also throws crap all over my underhood and fenders...The squeak would come back within a day. Because the belt conditioner quietened it down, I'm thinking it has to be something external, like pulleys or the belt. I really hope it isn't anything internal like the timing chains or bearings in the blower...

So, a couple weeks back right when it started doing it, I did the sensible thing and got a new (35 freakin dollar) belt. It's a Dayco from Advance Auto, which is the exact same belt I've had on it for the last 8 months (since I put the blower on) with no problems. The squeak went away for about a day, then came right back, just like before. I have not put belt conditioner on this belt.

So, I got home this weekend from school and got a new idler pulley. I spent an hour this afternoon swapping that new pulley into the place of the old tensioner pulley and the two old idler pulleys (one extra for the blower) one at a time. The new pulley swap in place of the 3 old ones didn't change anything at all. So for now, I'm assuming all 3 of them are fine. They all spin freely with no noise, as do all the pulleys under the hood.


So I come to my question: what else would cause this squeak?

I read in some old threads that the belt would cause this problem, but considering putting a new belt on didn't fix it for me, I don't think this is the problem. Everyone I saw was recommending Gatorback belts; because I haven't had a problem with the Dayco that was on it, I was thinking it was a fine brand. Does the brand really matter?

I also saw a few people saying that the tensioner could cause this problem. I don't really understand how. Could someone elaborate on this? Is there a way to know if the tensioner is bad?

Any other advice?

Thanks for the help Stangnet!

 

[N8Dogg98]

So, I've got a belt squeak that started about 3 weeks ago. It only does it when I first crank it up, and goes away after about 10 or 15 minutes of driving. It's hard to tell, but it sounds like it's coming from the passenger side, maybe the tensioner or AC compressor area. It varies directly with the rpm. I can get a video later if need be, but it's warm right now and isn't squeaking, so no video for now. It sounds like this, except louder. YouTube - 96 Mustang GT belt squeak (Procharger) Spraying belt conditioner on the belt quietened it down, but it also throws crap all over my underhood and fenders...The squeak would come back within a day. Because the belt conditioner quietened it down, I'm thinking it has to be something external, like pulleys or the belt. I really hope it isn't anything internal like the timing chains or bearings in the blower...

So, a couple weeks back right when it started doing it, I did the sensible thing and got a new (35 freakin dollar) belt. It's a Dayco from Advance Auto, which is the exact same belt I've had on it for the last 8 months (since I put the blower on) with no problems. The squeak went away for about a day, then came right back, just like before. I have not put belt conditioner on this belt.

So, I got home this weekend from school and got a new idler pulley. I spent an hour this afternoon swapping that new pulley into the place of the old tensioner pulley and the two old idler pulleys (one extra for the blower) one at a time. The new pulley swap in place of the 3 old ones didn't change anything at all. So for now, I'm assuming all 3 of them are fine. They all spin freely with no noise, as do all the pulleys under the hood.


So I come to my question: what else would cause this squeak?

I read in some old threads that the belt would cause this problem, but considering putting a new belt on didn't fix it for me, I don't think this is the problem. Everyone I saw was recommending Gatorback belts; because I haven't had a problem with the Dayco that was on it, I was thinking it was a fine brand. Does the brand really matter?

I also saw a few people saying that the tensioner could cause this problem. I don't really understand how. Could someone elaborate on this? Is there a way to know if the tensioner is bad?

Any other advice?

Thanks for the help Stangnet!

Its the tensioner and it was a common problem a couple years ago. The reason being the tensioner is made out of aluminum and the factory ford design is such that over time the aluminum will fatigue and slightly bend causing it not to sit completely perpendicular to the belt. Replace the tensioner with a new one. Not sure, but I'd expect the aftermarket makes a factory steel replacement.

 

[mustang50v8]

number 1 rule....

if the belt didnt fix it, its a bad pulley



/thread

 

[sneaky98gt]

number 1 rule....

if the belt didnt fix it, its a bad pulley



/thread

Well, that's always been my thought, too. But the fact that new tensioner/idler pulleys didn't fix it, and that belt conditioner quietened it down makes me think pulley's aren't the problem either.

Its the tensioner and it was a common problem a couple years ago. The reason being the tensioner is made out of aluminum and the factory ford design is such that over time the aluminum will fatigue and slightly bend causing it not to sit completely perpendicular to the belt. Replace the tensioner with a new one. Not sure, but I'd expect the aftermarket makes a factory steel replacement.

Ok, I was gonna ask what material to get if I got a new one. Advance Auto and Auto Zone have aluminum ones, but Napa has a steel one (all 3 for the same price, +/- $5). I'll swing by Napa first thing tomorrow morning and grab one. If it doesn't fix it, I'll report back.

 

[N8Dogg98]

number 1 rule....

if the belt didnt fix it, its a bad pulley



/thread

incorrect. A common belt squeak issue for the 4.6 cars has been the tensioner.

 

[sneaky98gt]

Well, I got the new tensioner put on this morning. It was still squeaking. So, I put the old belt back on it (just for kicks and giggles, and to see if belt conditioner would help) and the squeak was no more.

I is confused.

The belt definitely rides on top of the tensioner pulley much better now. It used to ride right on the back edge, possibly even off the edge a fraction of a millimeter or so, but now it rides smack dab in the middle. I guess I'll just leave it be for the time being and see what happens.

 

[N8Dogg98]

What kind of belt is the new one? I've always had good luck with the Goodyear Gatorback belts.

 

[GettinThere]

...It's a Dayco from Advance Auto...

I have the exact same problem, but on a 97 Plymouth Voyager minivan.

Like you, I replaced the idler pulley and the tensioner pulley, but no improvement. Belt dressing makes the noise go away, but only for a minute or two.

I also installed a new Dayco belt about two weeks ago. I have come to the conclusion that the Dayco belt may be the cause. I will find another brand (preferably a Gatorback) and report.

 

[tank_567]

start the car up w/o the belt on and see how it sounds, it could be something else.

 

[GettinThere]

start the car up w/o the belt on and see how it sounds, it could be something else.

I did that, no squeek.

 

[N8Dogg98]

Get a better belt. Gatorback FTW

 

[Flghtmstr1]

The Motorcraft (not OEM Ford) belt is also a good choice.

 

[sneaky98gt]

Ok, the squeak has come back, although not quite as bad as it was before.

Dumb question, but where can I find Gatorback belts? As in part stores? I haven't found anywhere yet. I see that Summit sells them, but I don't really want to have to order it.

 

[N8Dogg98]

Ok, the squeak has come back, although not quite as bad as it was before.

Dumb question, but where can I find Gatorback belts? As in part stores? I haven't found anywhere yet. I see that Summit sells them, but I don't really want to have to order it.

Do you have Checker auto parts by you? That was the only place I could find them in the past. Now O'Reilly has bought out all of the Checker auto parts stores and they don't sell the gatorback belts

Don't you have a bunch of Walker Auto parts stores out there? Pretty sure they carry them, too.

 

[GettinThere]

Dumb question, but where can I find Gatorback belts? As in part stores? I haven't found anywhere yet. I see that Summit sells them, but I don't really want to have to order it.

Same here.

Goodyear's site is not much help either.

This belt problem sux.

 

[Flghtmstr1]

Did you read my post? If you can't find a Gatorback (I couldn't), grab a Motorcraft belt.

 

[sneaky98gt]

Do you have Checker auto parts by you? That was the only place I could find them in the past. Now O'Reilly has bought out all of the Checker auto parts stores and they don't sell the gatorback belts

Don't you have a bunch of Walker Auto parts stores out there? Pretty sure they carry them, too.

The Walker's don't carry Gatorbacks anymore, nor do the O'Reilly's. They carry Gates now. Both guys at both places highly recommended them. Anyone had any experience with a Gates belt?

Same here.

Goodyear's site is not much help either.

This belt problem sux.

Yup. Summit sells the Gatorback belt I need for $30, but I was trying to avoid ordering one.

Did you read my post? If you can't find a Gatorback (I couldn't), grab a Motorcraft belt.

Where would I get a Motorcraft belt at? Also, is it a problem that I need a different-from-stock length (111.5 inches)?

 

[N8Dogg98]

Don't know much about Gates, but I'd just order 2 gatorbacks from Summit along with anything else your car needs to make the most of the $10 handling charge

 

[Rejekt]

Don't know much about Gates, but I'd just order 2 gatorbacks from Summit along with anything else your car needs to make the most of the $10 handling charge

I agree, get everything you need on one. Handling charges suck. Especially if you're only buying one thing.

 

[dangrus]

I second pulling the current belt off to make sure it is the belt. I put a cheapo Oreilly one on mine and never had an issue. I usually go with the better belts but I didn't have the cash on me at the time to get the better one. This one looks like a really cheap walmart belt you would buy for your pants that would fall apart in 2 months.