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Sept. 20, 2009 9:45 p.m. Strike_Zero New Reader

Exploder squeak

Wifey's 1994 Exploder issues. Have you ever heard such a NOISE??? Shiiiieeee. . . . Replaced water pump, belt tensioner, p/s pump, idler puller and belt. I'm guessing it I need realign the accessory brackets better???

I spun them all by hand once I replaced everything. The P/S pump had resistance, but I was thinking it was like that based on the fact it has fluid in it.

One thing I forgot to mention (can't remember if I shot it in the video); if AC compressor cycles and squeaking almost goes away completely.

Also after replacing the water pump, there was no squeaking until about 5 minutes of it running to circulate the coolant

Any suggestions?
Sept. 20, 2009 10:01 p.m. xci_ed6 Reader

So if the a/c compressor kicks on, the squeaking stops? If so it could be the compressor clutch bearings.

Use a mechanics stethoscope to isolate the noise. Carefull with it near the compressor clutch and alternator.
Sept. 20, 2009 10:09 p.m. Strike_Zero New Reader

In reply to xci_ed6:

Doesn't stop completely. It's very faint; it still squeaks once the rev come up.

Thanks for the suggestion!! I'll add it to my list of things to check in the morning.
Sept. 21, 2009 12:07 p.m. Strike_Zero New Reader

Think I found the problem . . .

Belt slip at the P/S pulley

I sprayed some water on the P/S pulley while it was running and squeaking went away. . . .

I pulled the belt it is ate the berkeley up . . . Duralast piece of crap . . .

Off to get a Gatorback.
Sept. 21, 2009 1:20 p.m. Strike_Zero New Reader

I cleaned the P/S pulley pretty good. I just put the gatorback belt on and all appears to be fine. If it starts squeaking again, I'll replace the pulley . . . Now off to do front wheel bearings . . .
Sept. 21, 2009 3:20 p.m. Toyman01 HalfDork

Bet it starts squeaking again. It's a Ford. My van started squeaking about 2001. Replaced the belt, a few months later it started again. Replaced the idler assembly, few months later it started again. Cleaned everything under the hood the belt touches. It always starts squeaking a few months later. Finely decided it must be powered by birds and gave up. Anything below about 2000rpm it chirps like a flock of Canaries(sp). About 25% of the ford trucks I know of have belt squeak. If you figure it out, let me know so I can try your fix on mine.

Edit: Changing the alternator didn't help either.
Sept. 21, 2009 4:19 p.m. John Brown MegaDork

take a small amount of comet cleanser and apply it to the belt and pulley. The pulleys are likely glazed and the cleanser will rough it up without destroying the belt.
Sept. 22, 2009 7:04 a.m. Strike_Zero New Reader

Excellent idea JB . . . I'll try that went I get back from RA