Squawking Noise

[Duane]

Help, I have a 2000 Ranger 4cyl 5 speed that makes a loud squawking noise for 1-2 seconds on start-up especially on cold mornings. I replaced the Serpentine belt but no help. I wasn't sure about the throw-out bearing? There are no other symptoms and the truck runs fine otherwise. I found 2 TSB's #13844 and 8091 that describe cold start squawking. Anyone know what these TSB's are about or has anyone experienced this?

 

[RobbieD]

Did you check the idler and adjustment pulleys when you replaced the belt? Mine had a noise-at-starting symptom one time, which turned out to be one of the pulleys. Good luck with it, and welcome to TRS.

 

[Duane]

thanks, I pulled the idler pulley and cleaned it but not the tensioner pulley, it felt okay when I played with it when the belt was off? Thanks, Duane

 

[Dave R]

Are you sure that the tensioner arm is operating correctly and is not stuck? Check to make sure that you have sufficient tension on the belt. The tensioning arm on mine hasn't been tensioning anything for years, the pivot on the arm is so stiff that I just push it over until the tension on the belt feels 'right'. The arm will hold that position indefinitely. They are supposed to move freely, I should probably fix mine someday.

 

[Duane]

Yes, the tensioner has a free range of movement and plenty of tension. Thanks!

 

[Young_unn]

lol my tensioner is still broken, it only springs back 3/4 of the way, so it squawks whenever i start. it took a good 15 minutes of me oiling and forcing it back and forth to get it that good.

after replacing the other pulleys and belts i didnt want to know how much it was going to cost me to get the tensioner,

btw how much is a new one lol

 

[97ranger xlt]

lol my tensioner is still broken, it only springs back 3/4 of the way, so it squawks whenever i start. it took a good 15 minutes of me oiling and forcing it back and forth to get it that good.

after replacing the other pulleys and belts i didnt want to know how much it was going to cost me to get the tensioner,

btw how much is a new one lol

should be about 50 bux from autozone

 

[Turbo-T]

Check your pulley alignment. I had the same problem. Turns out I had the wrong water pump. It shifted the pulley 1/8 out of alignment. those poly groove belts don'y like mis-alignment. I had to shim the pulley to make it stop.

 

[jubangy]

When I replaced my tensioner this past August it came out to exactly 53.08 after tax. For something so simple they sure do make a mint off of it. But it was worth it as I was chasing the start up squeak and it also squeaked when I had the headlights and heater on but the belt always felt like there was decent tension, but apparently not so good under load.