Going Insane, Need Help

**navyLS1** · 02-20-2010, 05:48 AM

A few months ago a terrible squeak began under my hood. Alright replaced the belts, didn't work. Then I began spraying belt dressing around certain areas to determine the pulley that was making the noise. Conclusion, the alternator. No biggie it probably needs to be replaced anyways. So I replaced it and when doing so I spun all the other pulleys to check for sounds. None were found but sure enough when I put the belts back on and started driving the noise slowly came back. Then a few weeks ago I notice engine coolant everywhere. Water pump was in terrible shape. Replaced it knowing that was the cause! Wrong, mug still squeaks.

Anyone else had this problem and know what it is? I happens only when the gas is pressed. It's very mild at idle but horrible when the throttle is open.

Nothing like a beast of a machine that squeaks louder than it's exhaust! lol

**pajeff02** · 02-20-2010, 06:05 AM

I've posted on this topic before -- some belts tend to be noisier than others. Have you tried a different brand belt? We run a Goodyear Gatorback on ours and have had no noise. Also, did antifreeze get on the belt when the water pump went south on you?

**jagfan93** · 02-20-2010, 06:11 AM

Originally Posted by pajeff02

I've posted on this topic before -- some belts tend to be noisier than others. Have you tried a different brand belt? We run a Goodyear Gatorback on ours and have had no noise. Also, did antifreeze get on the belt when the water pump went south on you?

+1
Different belt brands have solved this for me in the past.

**Smittro** · 02-20-2010, 06:24 AM

Idler pully imho.. Sometimes pulleys won't squeek until under presure from the tensioner pulley and the motor driving the pulley..

**Pickle86** · 02-20-2010, 06:50 AM

Originally Posted by Smittro

Idler pully imho.. Sometimes pulleys won't squeek until under presure from the tensioner pulley and the motor driving the pulley..

yup i did all the same things you did and replaced the idler pully and fixed it.

**navyLS1** · 02-20-2010, 02:26 PM

Idler and a new brand belt. This is turning into a money pit real quick...anybody wanna buy it haha. JK

**Pickle86** · 02-20-2010, 03:58 PM

Originally Posted by navyLS1

Idler and a new brand belt. This is turning into a money pit real quick...anybody wanna buy it haha. JK

haha i felt the same way. all for a squeak.

**navyLS1** · 02-20-2010, 04:16 PM

Ok is there a difference between an Idler pulley and a AC Idler pulley?

**Cutlass** · 02-20-2010, 04:56 PM

yes. there's 2 belts. you want the main serp belt idler pulley.

**Cutlass** · 02-20-2010, 04:57 PM

And definitely try the gatorback belt! its a great noise fixer

**Pickle86** · 02-20-2010, 05:23 PM

Originally Posted by navyLS1

Ok is there a difference between an Idler pulley and a AC Idler pulley?

did u replace the ac belt too?

**Draik** · 02-20-2010, 06:57 PM

A neat trick my friend's dad taught me was; get a long solid metal rod (no pun intended) and while the car is running u can put it on some of the pulley's n then put ure ear on that rod, from that point u can hear or feel that noise travel through the rod. thats how i found out my ac pulley was bad

**pajeff02** · 02-20-2010, 07:02 PM

Originally Posted by Draik

A neat trick my friend's dad taught me was; get a long solid metal rod (no pun intended) and while the car is running u can put it on some of the pulley's n then put ure ear on that rod, from that point u can hear or feel that noise travel through the rod. thats how i found out my ac pulley was bad

A piece of wood will also work - you just have to be real careful. Usually, if belt dressing does not quiet it down then it has to be a pulley or one of the belt driven accessories that is squealing. If it is the AC belt you will usually hear a change in noise by triggering the compressor. It will slip worse momentarily as it comes under load.

**Draik** · 02-20-2010, 11:20 PM

it just has to b a solid object really tho so the noise/vibration travels

**Cutlass** · 02-21-2010, 03:27 AM

pulley misalignment can also cause belt squeal. The edge of the belt squeals against the edge of the pulley. So if you think your alternator is misaligned you'll have to try to fix that. I've also seen power steering pump pulleys that weren't pressed on all the way or pressed on too far that cause misalignment/squeal.

**navyLS1** · 02-21-2010, 04:37 AM

Originally Posted by Pickle86

did u replace the ac belt too?

Yes.

**FORD RECOVERY EXPERT** · 02-21-2010, 05:09 PM

+1 for the Idler Pulley....

**JWSmythe** · 02-21-2010, 09:22 PM

Actually, the noise could come from all kinds of places. The belt is the obvious first suspect. The idler is another common one. It could actually be anything that moves, so any of those pesky accessories could be the cause.

I had an alternator once (on a regular smallblock Chevy) that squeaked. Since it burnt through alternators for some reason, I just lived with it until it died, and exchanged it for a new one (gotta love "lifetime" warranties)

You'll have to go for the good old fashion funny noise test. Turn your head so only one ear is towards the engine, and move your hand around until you make the noise quieter. If you're practiced at it, it looks like you're fixing the car with voodoo, which is always entertaining. "How did you know that's the broken part?" "the spirits speak to me, and say your alternator is failing."