squeaking noise

[Kirk]

I have a '02 Ranger with a V-6. About a week ago it started making a squeeling sound at idle and when driving, it sounds like a belt squeaking. I took it to the shop today and they found nothing. We changed the belt and tried a new alternator. No cure, still squeaks. They said it sounded internal (maybe a rocker) but I find that hard to believe. It runs smooth, no power loss. I swear it sounds like a belt or pulley, it's driving me crazy. They said to try some Lucas oil treatment and maybe that would help. So, belt - $49.99, stupid looks - STILL FREE!! Anybody got any ideas?
Thanks,

 

[4x4RangerGuy]

It's almost always the idler pulley, and to a lesser extent, the serpentine belt tensioner. The idler pulleys on 3.0s have a bad bearing design and go quite often.

Replace the idler pulley (cheap), but ALSO replace your tensioner. What happens is the idler pulley will start to move around due to the bad bearing and wear out the tensioner as it does this. Therefore, to really solve the issue, both need to be replaced. It isn't expensive and you can do it in your driveway.

 

[dangeranger]

have you checked your camshaft synchronizer???? they squeal when they are on the way out and it will sound internal, like its coming from behind the radio....

 

[Kirk]

have you checked your camshaft synchronizer???? they squeal when they are on the way out and it will sound internal, like its coming from behind the radio....

Turns out it is the camshaft synchronizer. Pulled the belt off completely and it still squeeled so we knew it wasn't a pulley. I couldn't get a camshaft synchronizer today put pulled the cover off and shot some PB down in there and it took the squeel away. It'll come back as the lube dries up but at least it took it away until I can get the part.

 

[funkingonutz]

wait....you took off the belt and started up the truck?? correct....if it ran thats wierd because my friends cadillac Northstar belt snapped and the motor died and would'nt start back up until we put a new belt on. maybe it was just a "caddy thing"

 

[funkingonutz]

wait does the squeal sound like a bad wheel bearing, because if so then that might be my problem too, im hearing a constant squeal(like an electric wheelchair sound), and i replaced the wheel bearings today and im still hearing it, its not loud but its driving me crazy.

 

[Psychopete]

Just follow the same steps Kirk took, if the noise is from from the back of the engine, the CPS is more than like the problem, especially if you have over 100K and it's never been replaced before. It's critical that this sensor does not completely fail.

Pete