SOLVED: Serpentine Belt Tensioner problems Squealing

[RedRider]

Well, I have one more post to help solve problems, after that I am going to a begging mo fo! I really need to title this... "WHO WOULD HAVE THOUGHT THAT CHANGING A FRIGGIN BELT WOULD BE THIS DIFFICULT".

I tried to change the serpentine belt on my truck with 70k miles. I bought a standard belt at Autozone. The problem that happened is that after I changed the belt, my truck would routinely squeal loud until it caught up with the engine rpm. After that everything ran fine. On humid / rainy days, the squealing would last much longer.

I was really annoying my neighbors with this squealing noise so early in the morning, so I bought a 'high end' Gatorback belt. Well... the same thing happened.

What is a person to do? If you go by the folks at an autoparts store you need a new tensioner! WRONG!

I actually bought a new tensioner but, on the way home I was thinking I need to stop at Ford and compare belt sizes! I did and guess what, both belts bought from Autozone were about 1 to 2 inches longer than the belt that Ford sold. The serpentine belt at Ford cost $40.

I went home and put the Ford OEM serpentine belt on, and sure enough the squealing went away... forever! I never needed to replace the tensioner, the problem was the belt size!

If anyone has this same problem please post specifics about your truck. I have a 2002 4.0L SOHC 4wd. Back in the day, when I went to Autozone.com and this model was in the MINORITY now it is the majority, so I wonder if they were pulling a part number from a different model truck??

I STRONGLY suggest measuring up your old serpentine belt with the replacement.

I hope this info helps someone in the future.
Cheers
-Brian

 

[WIEGS]

I think they might of given you the belt for an OHV thinking it wouldn't matter. I dunno just an idea. Whats the length of the belt anyway?

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

We have run across this problem a few times where i work ( ford dealership) when we were out of stock on certain belts or customers would install napa belts and have them squeel. The aftermarket belts seem to be a bit longer than the OEM's

 

[Greatbear]

No more belt Squeel !!

I was at wits end with this truck making noise. I found out that the belt dimensions make a big difference and not all auto parts stores follow the Ford standard for these. When i looked up NAPA i found their MICRO-V AT belt and put it on. (it is made by Gates). NO SQUEAKS, NO SQUEAL, NO MORE @#$% Noise. There is a god who drives a Ford. lolhttp://www.therangerstation.com/forums/images/smilies/yahoo.gif

 

[SnC RangeR]

same thing happened to me, i learned the hard way.

 

[S197GT]

old post but bumping for anyone who might run into this problem.

this is my first post and i just got a 2001 4.0 SOHC with 201k miles. motorcraft belt had obvious wear in the grooves so bought a continental belt from amazon. amazing construction/quality but started to squeal at startup.

bought a new tensioner pulley thinking that was the issue. squealed even worse at startup!

took belt off and compared it to old motorcraft belt. definitely 1-2" longer. i had just put in an exchange for a gates brand and then i found this thread. looks like i should be in the clear...

 

[jcrow123]

Sqealing Serpintine

Yep, the aftermarket tries to make a belt that will fit a large range of models. Just not Ford Rangers.

My old Goodyear Gator-back "quiet belt" wore out so I hooked it into a local auto parts store where they sold me a "Premium" replacement for about $35.. Let the squealing begin! Finally bought a replacement from Ford for @ $45 but only after they tried to sell me a new tensioner. Problem solved.

The Gator-back also works but is no longer made by Goodyear, now it's Continental or ContiTech the part number is the same though, the one that fits a 3.0 l with/AC is Continental part number 4060887 same as the old Goodyear part number. Rock auto has 'em online for @ $21 I don't know what the part number is for NO/AC but they are still called GATORBACKS so it should be fairly easy to find.
There are two part numbers 4060882 = 88.2" and the 4060887 = 88.7" effective lengths

I wish that people who list replacement belts that fixed the problem would include info about effective lengths and actual part numbers which makes the info much more useful. Just saying