Tight fan belt? With vid/sound

[crudedude]

Hi all I am new to the forums I used search but after clicking on 30 or so threads I thought I would just post.

2007 Ranger 4.0L SOHC

I think the belt or tensioner is to tight. Tried to loosen tensioner to check bet with a standard socket but it would not budge at all.

Anyway attached is a 30 second video so you can hear the noises its making...

http://youtu.be/aO8SOHC4KlI

To note

• Occasonial belt squeel on cold start
• now and then the sound goes away for a bit
• Cannot find loose pulleys all seem ok

 

[adsm08]

Well the tensioner is spring loaded and operates automatically. You cannot make adjustments to the belt tension aside from replacing a worn tensionser to tighten it up.

It sounds to me you have a bad idler pulley bearing or something. Here are some quick steps to diag FEAD (Front End Accessory Drive) noises

1) make sure the noise changes with engine speed. If it doesn't the noise is not in the belt system

2) make sure the noise is or is not a slipping belt. Hit it GENTLY with some WD-40. Quick short shots (3-5 second bursts), don't go hosing it because lubricants and belt dressings are bad for serp belts, but small doses won't hurt. If the noise quiets momentarily or gets louder you need a new belt.

3) Listen to all the pulleys with a stethoscope. Cheap automotive stethoscopes are highly useful tools and can be had at most parts stores for $20 or less, the only people who shouldn't have one are the deaf and those who do not own a car. With the engine running carefully listen on the heads of the bolts on any idlers and the tensioner. Then even more carefully stick it to the hub of the AC compressor clutch (make sure you have the HVAC system completely off), and to spot on the body of the PS and water pumps.

Any components that have a buzz to them should be replaced. Do not confuse normal power steering pump whine, which can sound pretty loud with a scope, with a buzz. PS whine will sound like turning the wheels with low fluid. A good pulley will have a soft whispery rasp to it. A bad one will have more of a bumble bee quality to it by comparison.


To release your belt I believe you need to turn it counter-clockwise, attaching to it out where it touches the belt. Should be able to just pop a 3/8 ratchet right into the body of it.

It sounds to me like you have a bad idler or something, rather than a worn out or slipping belt, but you did mention and intermittent cold squeal, that I did not hear in the video.

Going by your listed symptoms I would recommend buying a stethoscope, checking all the idlers, and then replacing any that buzz as well as the tensioner and belt.

 

[crudedude]

Thanks thats all sound advise.

One note, the sound vanishes at highway speed completely or if I rev the engine high while standing still...

 

[crudedude]

OK so WD40 does not change noise

-speeding up engine slightly increases speed of noise slightly

Almost certain it is the Power Steering pulley