adopted-bassist

Just a note to you all and to follow up on the earlier post of engine noise from the drive belt area: If you are experiencing the squeek/bearing noise from one of the pullies (tension and/or idle) I would replace both at the same time. My van had 79,000kms when I bought it 4 weeks back and the noise was there when I picked it up. The dealer changed the belt but I got stuck with paying for the real problem - the tension pulley. I had both pullies changed for the same labour cost. Beware of non Ford replacement parts!!! I bought both pullies at my local automotive store and they where not good quality - my mechanic would not even use them and this is why: The tension pulley was made of plastic and the original metal. He has seen the plastic ones split - A PLASTIC TENSION PULLEY ON A AIRCONDITIONED 3.8L ENGINE! I did not even realise that it was plastic! Now the idle pulley had not only an undersized bearing in it (smaller than the Ford part) but the flange was shorter and the washer if installed would sieze the movement. So my excellent mechanic ordered the proper replacement bearing inserts for the original pullies which saved me lots of cash. Now my Windstar is nice and quiet.
Cheers!

heiden83

what kind of noise was it? I am looking at a 2001 windstar that makes a puff of air sound under the hood when you tromp on the gas. The clamp on the air filter/canister was completely loose. When tightened it still makes the noise. Any help