Noise, i think from the belt

I'm just wondering if anyone can help me figure out what the noise is that is coming from the serpintine belt area. The noise is really quiet when vechicle is at a stop, but when i press on the gas it gets louder, now its not a high pitch noise, more like a whining or squealing noise I guess. I tried belt dressing it quieted it down alot when at a standstill, but still loud when moving. Not sure if its the alternator, bearings, tensioner, or ??. Any help would be appreciated and if I can check anything pls be fairly specific on where to look or what to do..

Thanks

Most probable cause is bad bearings in the tensioner pulley. Easiest way to check is- put a wrench on the tensioner to relieve spring pressure, pull the serpentine belt, give every accessory pulley a spin by hand (that will spin) to see how they all feel, sound, etc. Serpentine belts & tensioners are only good for around 50Kmi.
G/luck
Joel

Hi Justn
In my case it was the idler pulley. It is held on by a single bolt and Napa had it for $22.00. It had a whine that varied with engine speed. I originally thought it was the alternator.

Mel

It might be the pulley that attaches to the power steering pump. You need a special tool to tighten it when it works out.

It might be the pulley that attaches to the power steering pump. You need a special tool to tighten it when it works out.

I think if this were the case, the lack of alignment of the belt with the other pulleys would be fairly noticable. I have changed a p/s pulley on another Ford vehicle before, and it was extremely difficult to remove even with the proper puller. On that particular vehicle it would have seemed nearly impossible for it to slip out on the p/s pump shaft. I cannot say it couldn't happen however.

Thanks

Mel

I had the same noise in my '98 and was told that it was the Power Steering pump, and that all pumps make that noise.

2 weeks later my serp. belt came off........so I released tension on the tensioner and BARELY got that belt on. Even with all the pressure taken off
it was a P.I.T.A. to get back on.

Once I started the engine..................the belt came off (along with the IDLER PULLEY). I took a look at the bearings on the pulley and they were fried!

When I took the old pulley to Advanced Auto, the mngr asked if it was making a whining noise, and I told him yes. He then brought out a belt (1038) to replace my ripped one.

I then told him that I had checked other online auto stores and that I needed a (1030) belt. I showed him my ripped belt showing "1030".

Thats when he told me that many people put 1030's which are a 1/4 '' shorter, and thats why these pulleys and bearings are wearing out prematurely....cuz the belt is too tight.

So I went ahead and installed the new pulley with the (1038) belt and after 6k miles..................No Problems.

Sorry for the long story, but I hope it Helps.

.............snoofer

I had the same noise in my '98 and was told that it was the Power Steering pump, and that all pumps make that noise.

2 weeks later my serp. belt came off........so I released tension on the tensioner and BARELY got that belt on. Even with all the pressure taken off
it was a P.I.T.A. to get back on.

Once I started the engine..................the belt came off (along with the IDLER PULLEY). I took a look at the bearings on the pulley and they were fried!

When I took the old pulley to Advanced Auto, the mngr asked if it was making a whining noise, and I told him yes. He then brought out a belt (1038) to replace my ripped one.

I then told him that I had checked other online auto stores and that I needed a (1030) belt. I showed him my ripped belt showing "1030".

Thats when he told me that many people put 1030's which are a 1/4 '' shorter, and thats why these pulleys and bearings are wearing out prematurely....cuz the belt is too tight.

So I went ahead and installed the new pulley with the (1038) belt and after 6k miles..................No Problems.

Sorry for the long story, but I hope it Helps.

.............snoofer

Is it also the same with the 95 windstar w/ 3.8?

Recently replaced the idler pulley on my '96.
Was great when I spun it by hand.....had to have a certain amount of load and engine speed to make a sound. I would also replace the belt.
The Idler pulley is by the alternator and power steering pump.
The bolt on my '96 turns counter clockwise to loosten....just like a normal bolt would.

Also, give the tensioner pulley a good look.....as they also fail.

Changed the serpintine belt today. Was a bit of work but I'm glad that I have a long 15mm wrench. Kept the old belt for a back up. You never know.