Reinforced serpentine tensioner...

[MrBluGruv]

So lately I've had a lot of squeeking going on under the hood, particularly if I was generating power beyond about 2K RPM. Checked the serpentine belt, and it looked nearly brand new, had all kinds of life and tackiness to it. Nevertheless, tried some belt conditioner very judiciously on it for giggles, to which it then started to scream like a wild banshee even in park. That's subsided thankfully, but I checked the pulleys and tensioner after that and thought the tensioner was the culprit as it looked like it was vibrating quite a bit more than I've seen before and it seemed like it had a loose disc between the arm and the block. Took it to a local garage, and the head mechanic told me the tensioner had actually begun to bend inwards toward the motor a bit and the belt essentially riding at an angle was what was causing the squeeking intermittenly.

With all that being said, I decided now would be the perfect time to get U/D pulleys since the belt is coming off anyways while replacing the tensioner. :D But, I've seen mention of stronger tensioner arms on my search for pulleys, specifically from Steeda (for the 05-09 Mustang GTs though.), and I wondered if anyone here has gotten a stronger tensioner arm for the Marauder and if it seems like it'd even be worth it over OE since I'm not supercharged and don't really plan on being anywhere in the near future?

[Local Boy]

Our tensioners are fine...

Try spraying some oil on the inside ...where the spring sits...

That should do the trick...

ALOHA

[MrBluGruv]

Yeh, OE replacement would probably be the best/easiest all around. I mean, this one DID last for around 75K miles with moderate abuse.

We tried to sneak some WD-40 into the center of the pulley of the tensioner, but it didn't seem to have any noticable effect. What really sucks is the car is a little fickle about whether or not the problem manifests itself audibly or not (although it seems to thankfully not chirp up a storm whenever I go to meets. I swear this car has a mind and soul of its own...)

I'm thinking I'm just gonna go with replacing the tensioner and put on the U/D pulleys all at once, cause the tensioner is visibly strained so surely it wouldn't hurt to replace it while I'm there.

Thanks. :)

[QuickSilver]

Thanks for posting this, I had a similar problem and niticed that the belt was riding the tensioner wheel wiht pressure on one side.
I pulled the tensioner back away from the belt when the enjine was off and then let it set against the belt again, this seemed to have solved the problem.

I don't know if it will stay that way though. For now the squeaking I was hearing is gone.

It was squeaking at around 3000 rpm and above.

[MrBluGruv]

I think it's important to let you know, I did fix this problem but the tensioner was NOT the source of the squeeking. A misaligned tensioner may have been the root problem, but the squeeking was actually coming from the alternator, and that had its own problems. Wait about a week and see if the problem persists, if so loosen the serpentine belt and try to spin the alternator pulley with your hand and see if it starts making noise.

[UncleLar]

"I swear this car has a mind and soul of its own..."
Yep,just like a Harley,and I wouldn't want it any other way.If I wanted a soul less hunk of tin I'd get a toyota or honda,etc.

[LeoVampire]

So lately I've had a lot of squeeking going on under the hood, particularly if I was generating power beyond about 2K RPM. Checked the serpentine belt, and it looked nearly brand new, had all kinds of life and tackiness to it. Nevertheless, tried some belt conditioner very judiciously on it for giggles, to which it then started to scream like a wild banshee even in park. That's subsided thankfully, but I checked the pulleys and tensioner after that and thought the tensioner was the culprit as it looked like it was vibrating quite a bit more than I've seen before and it seemed like it had a loose disc between the arm and the block. Took it to a local garage, and the head mechanic told me the tensioner had actually begun to bend inwards toward the motor a bit and the belt essentially riding at an angle was what was causing the squeeking intermittenly.

With all that being said, I decided now would be the perfect time to get U/D pulleys since the belt is coming off anyways while replacing the tensioner. :D But, I've seen mention of stronger tensioner arms on my search for pulleys, specifically from Steeda (for the 05-09 Mustang GTs though.), and I wondered if anyone here has gotten a stronger tensioner arm for the Marauder and if it seems like it'd even be worth it over OE since I'm not supercharged and don't really plan on being anywhere in the near future?

Use dishwashing liquid and a hand scrubber and clean up the belt if the belt is in good shape in the first place.
Dirt and contaminate's get on the belt's and can cause a squeel and other noises. Once it is clean front and back put it back on and you should be fine if you don't want to buy a new belt.

[QuickSilver]

Yea the squeak is back only when i start it up and the engine is cold.
When it warms up now the squeakis gone..

Maybe I do need a new belt

[fastblackmerc]

Do yourself and your Marauder a favor by changing the tensioner, idler and the belt.

I only use the Gatorback belt.

Part Numbers:

Belts:
Serpentine (NAPA) – PBH4060923 - stock
Gatorback (Goodyear) – 4060922 - stock
Gatorback (Goodyear) – 4060915 - / electric water pump
Gatorback (Goodyear) - Q4061000 (6-rib) for Trilogy
Gatorback (Goodyear) – 4061000 (accessory belt) for Trilogy

Belt Tensioner:
Dayco – 305291
Goodyear – 49293

Idler Pulleys:
Dayco (smooth) - 89007
FoMoCo (ribbed) - YW7Z-8678-AA

[QuickSilver]

All is quiet now after changing the belt and tensioner and tensioner pulley.
( no more screeching pulleys )

Thanks for the Help!