Squealing pulleys

[Chevyguy]

After a few weeks of no problems the idler pulleys started to go on the Marauder.

Started with a chirp got worse quick. Checked the pulleys and the smooth idler would show wear by hand. Ribbed idler and the tensioner feel tight still. Go to Auto zone, get the pulley, they only have the cheaper belt in stock, meh ok.

Well the Valuecraft belt wont fit on despite being the same length as the OEM. Ok then, the OEM had no cracks etc return the belt. Runs quiet now. The replacement pulley is the same diameter but looks different not so cool.

Two days later chirp comes back quickly leads to screeching gets real loud. Noise appears to be from the ribbed pulley. Trying to determine the part# of this pulley proves a PAIN. Tried to order a set of pulleys, a tensioner and Belt from www.tascafordparts.com but they had no listing for the ribbed pulley on a Marauder!!

I had found this # here but could not confirm this would fit online

YW7Z8678AA $38.42 $0.00 $20.28
Maintenance & lubrication - Engine service - Belts & pulleys - Serpentine idler pulley
Serpentine idler pulley, mustang, 5.4l, left, lower 2007

YW7Z8678AA $38.42 $0.00 $20.28
Maintenance & lubrication - Engine service - Belts & pulleys - Serpentine idler pulley
Serpentine idler pulley, all models 2000 - 2006

Huh.. Did not feel like getting the wrong part so I did order the rest of the set..

2W7Z*5B209*AA Tensioner $37.21

P.S you can't order the tensioner pulley seperate from Ford, some aftermarket do offer the smooth pulley for this part.

XR3Z*8678*BA "Kit" Smooth idler pulley $16.14

($10 less then the Duralast one)

3W3Z*8620*AA Belt $24.68

Finally placed the order from www.tascafordparts.com and went to the local dealer and they were able to get the ribbed pulley#

YW7Z*8676*AA. $38.42

(Yeah I could have gotten it for $20.28 if I just ordered it)

This is the idler pulley found on 2000 up 2V engines. The counter guy explained it "The Maraduer only pulley is the smooth one, so the ribbed one fits both the 2V and 4V" Huh?? The picture on the screen showed only one pulley WTF!!


Anyhow, replaced the ribbed pulley now it's MOSTLY quiet little chirp still. Ok then the new belt ($25) and the other pulley and tensioner are coming soon..


Week later checked the oil and the belt caught my eye huh why is it smaller than the pulley? YIKES it had chewed off at least one rib!! So I JUST missed the ford dealer closed at 12:00 on Sat. Auto Zone etc dont stock the good Dayco belt, gotta order em. Already knew the Valuecraft one does not fit.. NAPA had the NAPA premium belt in stock $44. Fit fine and BINGO quiet as a mouse...

So... the smooth pully clearly had a loose bearing but made no noise, and somehow the real problem was the stock belt. I guess those 6000 RPM shifts and the extra tension of the dual idlers puts lots of stress on that belt and the pulleys.

Now I have a spare new OEM belt in the trunk (the NAPA one seems beefier) and some extra pulleys as spares.

What a PIA, my 2001 went 211K on the stock ribbed idler the tensioner was replaced at 90K just before I got the car and I never touched it.

[Ktorres1]

Man awesome write up as I'm having the same problem and this really pins it down for me but what would it cost me to replace all the pulleys except for tensioner and belt?

[boatmangc]

I just consider squeeling idler pulleys part of a bi-annual PM on my Fords, been that way for years.
Still better than driving a Chevy
or a Dodge

[fastblackmerc]

Belts:
Serpentine (NAPA) – PBH4060923 - stock
Gatorback (Goodyear) – 4060922 - stock

Belt Tensioner:
Dayco – 305291
Goodyear – 49293

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

[TFB]

So... the smooth pully clearly had a loose bearing but made no noise, and somehow the real problem was the stock belt. I guess those 6000 RPM shifts and the extra tension of the dual idlers puts lots of stress on that belt and the pulleys.

Now I have a spare new OEM belt in the trunk (the NAPA one seems beefier) and some extra pulleys as spares.

What a PIA, my 2001 went 211K on the stock ribbed idler the tensioner was replaced at 90K just before I got the car and I never touched it.

The good Dayco belt that's less than two months old chirps on mine when cold, a couple small shots of silicone spray on the ribs and it's quiet for a few days... Pulleys are fine...

Like you I've had little trouble on the 2v, I did repl a leaking water pump, idler pulleys and belt on my '93 MGM at 150K mi... The belt had around 100K mi(repl it for a trip to SD when it had just over 50K mi), but everything else was orig...

[fastblackmerc]

Buy a Gatorback belt and you"ll eliminate the chirping.

[RF Overlord]

Found this on the Dayco site the other day while looking for a pulley cross-reference. I learned a lot.

Troubleshooting Belt Noises (http://www.daycow.com/daycow.nsf/TroubleShootBeltNoises!OpenPag e)

Chirp and squeal are not always the belt's fault...

[TFB]

Buy a Gatorback belt and you"ll eliminate the chirping.

A friend heard the chirp and asked if I was running a Gatorback belt, seems he's had issues with those on his '01 Lightning... It really doesn't bother me, roll up the windows and crank up the tunes, I can't hear it...

[Chevyguy]

I just consider squeeling idler pulleys part of a bi-annual PM on my Fords, been that way for years.
Still better than driving a Chevy
or a Dodge


This is my 5th 4.6 Ford and only replaced one pulley to date on my old 93 P-71

To be fair the 32V looks under MUCH more tension, even though it uses the same tensioner used in the 2000 up 2V cars.

[Chevyguy]

Man awesome write up as I'm having the same problem and this really pins it down for me but what would it cost me to replace all the pulleys except for tensioner and belt?

From my experience...

Replace the whole mess for $100 and be done with it for at least a few months!!

[MrBluGruv]

The good Dayco belt that's less than two months old chirps on mine when cold, a couple small shots of silicone spray on the ribs and it's quiet for a few days... Pulleys are fine...


I'm having the EXACT same issue, only I haven't isolated if it's just cold or some variance between sometimes cold and sometimes wet. I think it's a solid belt, but a little too hard a rubber compound therefore has this problem. I think in a few months (like when it's cold all day long down here) I'll finally break down and buy the gatorback. It's hard to find a case where that wasn't the be-all-end-all of belts.

[BLACKMARAUDER04]

I orderd a couple of items earlier in the week from Tasca. They are selling at employee cost. If you need help, call them on the telephone.
They were able to help me and did the order at the same prices over the
telephone because the internet kept kicking out my order.

[Ktorres1]

When looking at my engine I noticed that the top left small pulley has a slight wobble, I know that can't be right so is that my idler pulley?

[MrBluGruv]

Man I spoke too soon, now this dayco is getting to constant chirp/squeal mode.

BIG thanks to RF Overlord, that video was an interesting lesson.

I'm pulling the belt off tomorrow and checking all my pulleys for wear, contaminants, and alignment. Even if this belt is toast, I'm tired of replacing them once a month, it's un-freakin-called-for.

[Blk Mamba]

A friend heard the chirp and asked if I was running a Gatorback belt, seems he's had issues with those on his '01 Lightning... It really doesn't bother me, roll up the windows and crank up the tunes, I can't hear it...

Years ago I worked some overtime for a local delivery company on Sat., went in and started the straight truck I was to drive that day, and the music was so loud it drove me out of the cab. When I turned down the radio, you could hear the low water warning chime. Monday when I saw the regular driver, I asked why he hadn't filled the radiator, as per the warning, he said I didn't know what it was, so I just turned up the radio, so I couldn't hear it.

[fastblackmerc]

When looking at my engine I noticed that the top left small pulley has a slight wobble, I know that can't be right so is that my idler pulley?

The idler pulley is fixed and it doesn't move. The tensioner pulley moves to keep the proper tension on the belt.

[Chevyguy]

I orderd a couple of items earlier in the week from Tasca. They are selling at employee cost. If you need help, call them on the telephone.
They were able to help me and did the order at the same prices over the
telephone because the internet kept kicking out my order.

TASCA is really good, plus they are close to me so the shipping is quick and cheap. It would be good to choose a store close to your location. I used one that turned out to be from Seattle, no wonder it took so long to get the parts!! You have to dig a little to find their location sometimes.

[burt ragio]

Great info on belts & pulleys. As our cars grow older the miles pile up these little anoyances crep up. The best fix replace belt & pulleys & tentionor all at once.

[fastblackmerc]

Great info on belts & pulleys. As our cars grow older the miles pile up these little anoyances crep up. The best fix replace belt & pulleys & tentionor all at once.

Exactly!

They all go round & round the same amount. If one goes the others won't be too far behind.

[tbone]

buy a gatorback belt and you"ll eliminate the chirping.

+1^^^^^^^^^^^^^^