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Serpentine Belt tensioner Pulley?

Tiny
JOE1231
  • MEMBER
  • 2007 FORD EXPLORER
  • 80,000 MILES
My thermostat housing started to leak and took about a month for me to notice it. During that time, a significant amount of coolant was bathing my engine parts. I replaced the housing and fixed the leak. But I noticed that I had a squeal coming from some of the pulleys on the belt now. So I replaced the idler pulley and the belt, and the tensioner was completely frozen so that was replaced as well. This worked for about 30 days until the new mystery took hold. When I use my AC system (heat/cold doesn't matter) the alternator lets out an ear piercing squeal. In addition, at low speeds with the AC on, the fan blows really loudly until I get up to about 30 or 35mph. I don't know if this is simply in response to the extra heat from the friction on the serpentine belt or if it's a whole new problem.
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Saturday, June 1st, 2013 AT 2:14 PM

19 Replies

Tiny
MHPAUTOS
  • MECHANIC
  • 31,937 POSTS
The load on the electrical system will cause the belt to slip if tension is a problem, have the alternator cleaned and bench tested for any faults and ensure that the belt tension is correct.
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Saturday, June 1st, 2013 AT 5:06 PM
Tiny
TFMR
  • MEMBER
  • 10 POSTS
  • FORD EXPLORER
Is there an easy way to increase the tension of a slipping 2006 Ford Explorer serpentine belt?
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Friday, March 27th, 2020 AT 12:04 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SERVICE WRITER
  • MECHANIC
  • 9,123 POSTS
The serp belt has an automatic spring tensioner. That is the only way to bring the tension into spec. A glazed belt may cause the squealing.
What is the symptom?
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Friday, March 27th, 2020 AT 12:04 PM (Merged)
Tiny
TFMR
  • MEMBER
  • 10 POSTS
Squealing in cold weather only. But the truck is still new (8000 miles), can the belt get glazed so soon?
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Friday, March 27th, 2020 AT 12:04 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SERVICE WRITER
  • MECHANIC
  • 9,123 POSTS
Anything is possible, I would set an appt. At the dealer and drop it off the nght before so the problem happens for them, and let them figure it out under warranty.
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Friday, March 27th, 2020 AT 12:04 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RANDY JANICEK
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
  • 2000 FORD EXPLORER
Engine Mechanical problem
2000 Ford Explorer 6 cyl Four Wheel Drive Automatic

what size of bolt holds the pulley bearing on the idler assembly
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Friday, March 27th, 2020 AT 12:04 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MERLIN2021
  • MECHANIC
  • 17,250 POSTS
Some are 15mm some are 10mm
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Friday, March 27th, 2020 AT 12:05 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SCOTTY DEE
  • MECHANIC
  • 592 POSTS
If your needing a replacement bolt, you'll have to go to Ford and ask for one. As far as the dimension of the bolt, it's not listed in any service information via Mitchell or Alldata.
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Friday, March 27th, 2020 AT 12:05 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MERLIN2021
  • MECHANIC
  • 17,250 POSTS
4.6 engine has a 12-13mm But thats a V8
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Friday, March 27th, 2020 AT 12:05 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BILLYBOBILLY
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1996 FORD EXPLORER
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 118,000 MILES
My 96' Exploder has had every moving part on front of engine replaced.I.E. Serpentine belt (4 times) tension idler (3 times) all pulleys at least once, water pump, alternator, etc. Etc. The squeeling does not go away. At an idle it is more like a chirp. Anyone have any ideas?
I've spent over $1000 trying to find out, but my mechanic is totally baffled!
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Friday, March 27th, 2020 AT 12:05 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MERLIN2021
  • MECHANIC
  • 17,250 POSTS
What is a common problem is thw A/C pulley bearing goes and makes noise, until one day. It siezes and eats the belt. Remove the serp belt and physicallt turn the a/c pulley, ANY roughness? Fords can be fixed with a junkyard pulley. One screw and a snap ring is all that hold it on, and you won't need to recharge the system. Cause you wont need to open it, replace the pulley with the compressor on the car!
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Friday, March 27th, 2020 AT 12:05 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MAGS
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • FORD EXPLORER
I am a college student going to school and working full time. I own a 1992 ford explorer eddie bauer with a 4.0 liter engine. I have gone through three belts in the last 2 or so months. I have done everything I can to fix the problem by reading out of the chiltons repair book but I cannot figure out what else is causing my belt to break. It is not catching on anything, or rubbing, the pulley systems move free. Could someone please help me out with advice or point me in the right direction. Thanks a lot. MAGS.
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Friday, March 27th, 2020 AT 12:05 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SIRGIBBY
  • MEMBER
  • 32 POSTS
Well this is a month later. But i'm new here.

The problem could possibly be an alignment issue on one of the systems that the belt goes around.

I have seen when the AC clutch engadges it locks that pully up.

One other thing that it could be would be wrong belt or possibly its adjusted too tight.
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Friday, March 27th, 2020 AT 12:05 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BHUGG
  • MECHANIC
  • 157 POSTS
Be absolutely sure that the belt is in the proper grooves. I just ruined a belt because I didn't have it in the right spot on the lower pulley.
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Friday, March 27th, 2020 AT 12:05 PM (Merged)
Tiny
TOP_NOTCH
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
All the above, and also check that the idler pulley is not excessively worn. There should be a wear indicator on the pulley bracket.
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Friday, March 27th, 2020 AT 12:05 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MIKE H R
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,094 POSTS
If the belt fails again. Before putting a new belt on check the pulleys. One could be a little bent or out of allignment. When putting a new belt on it has to be on the pulleys correctly. Off by just a little will make the belt wear.
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Friday, March 27th, 2020 AT 12:05 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MIKE H R
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,094 POSTS
I went back and read your post again, you say that the ac unit when turned on locks the pulley? If it is it could be in the ac. Try unclipping the ac wires on top of the ac unit that would keep the ac pulley from engaging the ac. Itand see if that helps, that would tell you if the problem is somewhere in the ac pulley or system
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Friday, March 27th, 2020 AT 12:05 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MACCASILLEST
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1995 FORD EXPLORER
  • 4.0L
  • V6
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 80,000 MILES
Recently my idler pulley blew off. I have purchased a new pulley, but I can't find the bolt for the life of me. Help please!
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Friday, March 27th, 2020 AT 12:05 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Good afternoon,

The bolt size listed is a 12 mm 1.5 thread pitch about 1 1/2 inches long.

Roy
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Friday, March 27th, 2020 AT 12:05 PM (Merged)

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