Serpentine belt ?

[tempfixit]

98 3.0L engine 208k

I had a jerping noise on my serpentine belt area so I installed a new oreilys belt (cheaper brand ) was fine for a whiole then started again.
To date I have replaced the water pump, idler pulley. Then replaced serpentine belt with a carquest belt (cheaper gates) drove for a couple weeks, no noise then it started again. Replaced serpentine belt tensioner pulley no change. Today I did the old trick of applying bar soap to the belt
with the aid a channelock plier. The noise has stopped.

Wondering if anyone else has had this problem and finally found a belt that doesn't make a embarassing noise while driving down the street?

thanks

[jayjp200]

Hello,
I had a similar problem few years back and I kept changing the belt, tensioner and idler pulley bearings.

It turned out tobe the cam shaft position synchronizer. It is right behind the water pump under the sensor.
You will need a special tool to allign it (Tool is a must) - if you decide to replace it. Rock auto has a good price on the assembly.

[12Ounce]

ditto.

Do a seach on "cam position synchronizer".

[tempfixit]

Originally Posted by 12Ounce

ditto.

Do a seach on "cam position synchronizer".

I thought of that also but the camshaft sensor and synchronizer are on the rear of the engine on a 3.0L engine, unless the sound travels from the back of the engine to the front via camshaft. I also have listened with a stethocscope and it was not noisey. I will check it again.

thanks

[12Ounce]

Sorry ... didn't notice the 3.0!

[wiswind]

The 3.0L is a VERY popular motor, just not in the windstar....maybe 6% have it.
I do not know how active the Tarus room is, but there might be information in there as it is a popular motor in that vehicle.

[olopezm]

I've used goodyear's available at autozone with good results for my pontiac and the windstar. I used gates for the lincoln and so far so good. I recommend both brands.

PS. I remember seing some serpentine belt 'grease' at autozone some time ago. Not pretty sure what it is for... You might want to take a look at it.

Oscar.

[tempfixit]

Originally Posted by olopezm

I've used goodyear's available at autozone with good results for my pontiac and the windstar. I used gates for the lincoln and so far so good. I recommend both brands.

PS. I remember seing some serpentine belt 'grease' at autozone some time ago. Not pretty sure what it is for... You might want to take a look at it.

Oscar.

Thanks Oscar, I will check out the grease. Did you use the cheaper belt or the higher priced one??

[Windstartled]

Originally Posted by wiswind

The 3.0L is a VERY popular motor, just not in the windstar....maybe 6% have it.

Interesting stat, I had always wondered about this since I have yet to see a Windstar with the the 3.0 engine, and I have seen at least 100 Winnie engines counting my frequent boneyard forays.

[olopezm]

Sorry that I didn't reply to your last post, I didn't see it :s

I used the cheaper one (goodyear) on the windstar; it was about a year ago when I replaced it and haven't had any problems so far.

Oscar.

[12Ounce]

I believe '99, perhaps '00, was the last year for the 3.0 in the Winny.