belt squeal?

[atvkid4eva]

Hey guys i have a 2000 ranger with 55k miles on the 4.0l. This past weekend i went on vacation and the truck sat for a couple days over the weekend. When i came back and started it up it had what sounded like a belt squeal from sitting for a couple days and it went away when i started driving. It seemd like everytime the truck sits for a bit when i start it up i have the same squeal sometime its short and sometimes it stays until i start driving and then it goes away? i got to work today and parked, it rained for about 3 hours and then when i went on lunch and started the truck the squeal was there until i started driving. Could it just need a new belt or what?

 

[AngryLepercon]

Possibly dry rotting, worn, or stretched belt. Our rubber conveyor belts here at work stretch 3 and a half feet throughout the day and return to normal overnight. Dampness/humidity will also cause a belt squeal. I say visually check belt for flat spots, cracks, and the tension.

 

[armadillon]

^What he said. If you haven't changed it at all it's probably due. At $15 or less, might as well do it and see.

 

[Kevery]

I had the same problem at about the same mile mark. Change the belt and check you tensioner as well.

 

[atvkid4eva]

will do. Ill probably get a gatorback belt, but what local auto part stores sell them?

 

[atvkid4eva]

when i bought the truck the guy threw in a brand new duralast serpentine belt..should i put it on or get a gatorback? ill check the tensioner puller regardless when i replace the belt

 

[Kevery]

I have a cheap one from Kragen works just fine.

 

[atvkid4eva]

so i just used the duralast one i had gotten for free. I took the old belt off and the tensioner seemed fine..i figured i throw a gates one on there anyway since i had it off so i went and bought one. i came home and the one alignment notch on the back of the tensioner wasn't as wide as the OEM one so it wouldn't sit against the motor right..i took it back to get another one and that one was the same? So the gates tensioner wouldn't fit! i was so mad. I ended up putting the stock on back on with the new belt and it seems to have stopped the squeal. any ideas about why that tensioner wouldn't sit flush? im very mechanically inclined and the one notch was not as wide as the oem so it sat crooked. anyone have this problem before?

 

[atvkid4eva]

I ordered a ford tensioner i hope it will fit.