Belt/Tensioner/??? Problems

[Green96]

I was having problems with a "chirp" when my AC compressor cycled, so I thought that the first place to start would probably be the belt. I put on a Dayco from Advanced Auto. It has splits in the belt similar to a Gatorback, but they go straight across. Now the problems start (sorry for the long intro).

Now I have a whine, and my tensoner "bounces" whenever the AC is on. The bounce is hardly detectable with the AC off, but the whine is always present. It is not extremely loud, but it is concerning me and was not there before the belt change. It sounds like it is coming from the alternator.

My thoughts are bad tensioner, bad compressor, bad alternator, or just a loud belt. I hate to just start replacing things (I am out of warranty). Any other thoughts? Thanks

[Local Boy]

How many miles? Alot of guys spoke about thier tensioners going bad. Take the belt off and check for excessive play with your hand...you'll be able to tell if the tensioner is bad. Gator belts ...only way to go! Hope this helps. ALOHA

[KillJoy]

If you can push on the belt, and the tension moves.... replace the tensioner.

I just replaced my Tensioner and Belt (I used a Gatorback).

:up:

KillJoy

[Green96]

37K miles. I will check for tensioner play tonight. I am also going to spin the alternator to see if I feel anything in the bearings.

[KillJoy]

37K miles. I will check for tensioner play tonight. I am also going to spin the alternator to see if I feel anything in the bearings.


Just push real hard on the open space of the belt on the driver's side of the engine. If that Tensioner moves..... time to R&R.

Can you beat 20 minutes?

:D

KillJoy

[Green96]

Does that 20 min include a parts run?

[KillJoy]

Does that 20 min include a parts run?


Nah....already had the parts :D

KillJoy

[Blackened300a]

I had to replace my tensioner around the 40K mile mark because of the same issues you are talking about. Its a very common problem and will only take you less the 10 minutes to replace all for about $30.

[Green96]

Is an aftermarket tensioner like Dayco, or Goodyear OK? Should I stick with OEM?

[KillJoy]

Is an aftermarket tensioner like Dayco, or Goodyear OK? Should I stick with OEM?


Persoanlly.... I like OEM for stuff like that.....

KillJoy

[MENINBLK]

Is an aftermarket tensioner like Dayco, or Goodyear OK? Should I stick with OEM?

I replaced mine with a Dayco.
It looks EXACTLY like the original.
The original was probably a Dayco as well.

[vegasloner]

You have got to love this site!!!!!!!!!! :banana: I am currently having a problem with a loud squeel coming from the belt area, thought for sure due to the heat out here, my ac unit was going bad..Well just read this post, ran out all excited and pushed on the long run on the drivers side and the tensioner pully moved like there was no tension at all...This si the third time the site saved me from going nuts!!!

Thanks guys!! Ever come out to vegas look me up!:D

[Green96]

Well, I beat your time KillJoy. Just 13 minutes to do the tensioner.

Results: Tensioner "bounce" is gone, whine remains.
Put back on the OEM belt - whine gone.
Dayco belts suck!!!
I am going to pick up a gatorback Moday, till then it is back to the OEM belt.
The Dayco tensioner was identical to OEM by the way (except for being $30 cheaper).
Thanks guys.

[KillJoy]

Well, I beat your time KillJoy. Just 13 minutes to do the tensioner.

Results: Tensioner "bounce" is gone, whine remains.
Put back on the OEM belt - whine gone.
Dayco belts suck!!!
I am going to pick up a gatorback Moday, till then it is back to the OEM belt.
The Dayco tensioner was identical to OEM by the way (except for being $30 cheaper).
Thanks guys.


:up:

You'll like the Gator... Just put it on so you can read "Goodyear", and it is all good.

KillJoy

[ctrlraven]

I know my tensioner and belt need to be replaced, is their a difference between these two belts listed below? I'm going to pick up the Dayco tensioner assembly.

Part No.
4060922 <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr> <td> Goodyear Serpentine Belt: Gatorback (http://www.partsamerica.com/productdetail.aspx?MfrCode=GOO&MfrPartNumber=4060922&PartType=1063&PTSet=A) </td> </tr> <tr> <td>Serpentine Belt: Poly-V $31.99
</td></tr></tbody></table>
Part No.
4060926 http://www.partsamerica.com/images/spaclear.gif
Goodyear Serpentine Belt: Gatorback (http://www.partsamerica.com/productdetail.aspx?MfrCode=GOO&MfrPartNumber=4060926&PartType=1063&PTSet=A) Serpentine Belt: Poly-V (Alternatorernate) $34.99

[Shora]

Just push real hard on the open space of the belt on the driver's side of the engine. If that Tensioner moves..... time to R&R.

Can you beat 20 minutes?

:D

KillJoy


I have 39K on my "black" now.

When I push the belt the tensioner moves but only slightly. Should it not be moving at all?

[KillJoy]

I have 39K on my "black" now.

When I push the belt the tensioner moves but only slightly. Should it not be moving at all?


My new one does not. Not sure how long it will stay that way though :rolleyes: Hopefully someone w/ a bit more input will chime in...

KillJoy

[Stranger in the Black Sedan]

Results: Tensioner "bounce" is gone, whine remains.
Put back on the OEM belt - whine gone.
Dayco belts suck!!!

You probably glazed the Dayco belt with the bad tensioner. Then when you put the glazed Dayco back on, even with the good tensioner, it was noisy. You are not giving the Dayco belt a fair shake. Once you glaze a belt it is trash. The Dayco belts are very good quality from the ones I have used.

[ctrlraven]

I know my tensioner and belt need to be replaced, is their a difference between these two belts listed below? I'm going to pick up the Dayco tensioner assembly.

Part No.
4060922 <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr> <td> Goodyear Serpentine Belt: Gatorback (http://www.partsamerica.com/productdetail.aspx?MfrCode=GOO&MfrPartNumber=4060922&PartType=1063&PTSet=A) </td> </tr> <tr> <td>Serpentine Belt: Poly-V $31.99
</td></tr></tbody></table>
Part No.
4060926 http://www.partsamerica.com/images/spaclear.gif
Goodyear Serpentine Belt: Gatorback (http://www.partsamerica.com/productdetail.aspx?MfrCode=GOO&MfrPartNumber=4060926&PartType=1063&PTSet=A) Serpentine Belt: Poly-V (Alternatorernate) $34.99

I ordered the 4060922 belt which is this:
http://www.partsamerica.com/product_images/img/goo/4060922.jpg

As I looked on the back of it which list FORD 4.2L and 5.0L I guess I have the wrong belt. Can anyone let me know the belt number for the GY: Gatorback belt please?

[KillJoy]

It should be the same length as the stock belt. Or.... whatever size belt you took off.

:up:

KillJoy

[ctrlraven]

Finally got it installed after messing with it for like an hour or so. I guess I was so tired I couldn't understand what it meant by putting the driver in the tensioner arm. Then I finally got the belt to start lipping the alternator pulley and just turned the crank until the belt finally went into place.


After installing it I started it up and was nice and smooth. I did notice one thing they, it is making a very slight but noticible whine (like a centfrical s/c) when I do a slight rev or start driving away. It isn't as loud as it was last night. Is just because the belt and pulley are fresh and have to set in? A mechanic next door to my work said it should go away after awhile.

[KillJoy]

it should go away after awhile.

:up:

KillJoy

[MENINBLK]

Finally got it installed after messing with it for like an hour or so. I guess I was so tired I couldn't understand what it meant by putting the driver in the tensioner arm. Then I finally got the belt to start lipping the alternator pulley and just turned the crank until the belt finally went into place.


After installing it I started it up and was nice and smooth. I did notice one thing they, it is making a very slight but noticible whine (like a centfrical s/c) when I do a slight rev or start driving away. It isn't as loud as it was last night. Is just because the belt and pulley are fresh and have to set in? A mechanic next door to my work said it should go away after awhile.

My install does the same thing.
I am going to swap out the Gatorback belt for the FORD belt
and see if it continues.

[MENINBLK]

I ordered the 4060922 belt which is this:


As I looked on the back of it which list FORD 4.2L and 5.0L I guess I have the wrong belt. Can anyone let me know the belt number for the GY: Gatorback belt please?

You got the CORRECT belt.
The sleeve has not been updated.

[Eric91Z]

Sorry to hijack the thread, but I have a quick question. I need to replace the belt on my CVPI in an attempt to get rid of a squeak that happens only at start-up after the car has been sitting a while, but goes away once the car is warmed up. I am going to try the belt and hope that is it and not the AC pulley/clutch/conpressor like I fear it might be.

Anyway, do you just put a wrench or socket on the bolt on the main body of the tensioner and push to release tension, pull belt off, and reverse?

[Green96]

There should be a square hole cast into the tensioner arm that will accept a 3/8" ratchet or breaker bar. I have used the bolt at the tensioner pully before on other cars, but do not use the othe bolt at the center of the tensioner. It bolts the tensioner to the block.

[04MEMA]

I was having problems with a "chirp" when my AC compressor cycled, so I thought that the first place to start would probably be the belt. I put on a Dayco from Advanced Auto. It has splits in the belt similar to a Gatorback, but they go straight across. Now the problems start (sorry for the long intro).

Now I have a whine, and my tensoner "bounces" whenever the AC is on. The bounce is hardly detectable with the AC off, but the whine is always present. It is not extremely loud, but it is concerning me and was not there before the belt change. It sounds like it is coming from the alternator.

My thoughts are bad tensioner, bad compressor, bad alternator, or just a loud belt. I hate to just start replacing things (I am out of warranty). Any other thoughts? Thanks

Glad you fixed yours - but in case others want to know...
FYI - There's a service bulletin out there about the a/c chirp - and the fix has to do with replacing/adjusting the clutch on the compressor.

[ctrlraven]

Mine was making that a/c chirp but after I replaced the tensioner and belt, I didn't here it today when I had the a/c on today. The whine sound it was making has gotten a lot less noticeable already, I can barely here with the windows down now.

[SamF]

Well, I beat your time KillJoy.
Put back on the OEM belt - whine gone.
Dayco belts suck!!!



I had decent results with Dayco in the past...but recently I put a Dayco belt on my F150 and it, whined, squeeled and generally drove me nuts until I put the "worn" FOMOCO belt back on...Dayco belts suck. :cool4: