2004 Ranger belt squeal

[diyj98]

My Ranger with about 108,000 miles has developed a terrible belt squeal. I replaced the idler wheel and the belt tensioner, but that didn''t help. I even tried another belt and it didn''t help either. I can''t find any slack in the water pump, alternator, etc. Anyone have this problem. I''m starting to suspect the water pump may lbe tearing up and causing the belt to slip. Belt dressing only seem to make the problem worse. Any thoughts? I hate to spend the money on a new water pump if nothing''s wrong with the old one.

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

take the belt off and spin each of the pullies by hand. make sure they all spin smooth and quiet. try and wiggle them up-down and side to side...there should be no play.

crawl under the truck with a flashlight and shine it up on the water pump housing...just behind the pulley you'll see a small hole in the housing. if there is any water coming out of that hole your pump is toast.

 

[rangerbert]

X2 also try a goodyear catorback belt that might help out too.