Has anyone had a problem with a faulty idler pulley on a Lightning?My buddy just picked up a Blue '02 last week and it started making a noise two days later.The dealer replaced the idler pulley.Is this a fluke or a problem?I have a '01 and with 8000 miles i haven't had any problems except a little smoke at start up.

 

Do you know which idler it was? I have heard also that they can be a problem...

 

My 99 w/37k started doing it last fall. It would do it when cold for about the 1st 1/2 mile, then quit. It would only happen when decelerating under 20 mph to a red traffic light. Before I could get it into the dealer it stopped doing it, so I haven't done anything with it yet. <crossing fingers>

 

I had a 99 F150 4x4 5.4 prior to my L, and a 97 Explorer 5.0 before that, both of them went through a couple idler pullies. They would start making that marbles in a coffee can sound. I have not had any problems with the L so far, knock on wood, going through the pullies.

 

Mine would make a lower pitched squeal/squal. Only lasted about 30 seconds to a minute at idle/drive at under 20 mph on decel.

Yeppers, knock on wood--for both of us... <g>

 

This happened to me also once mine is also a 2002 with only 400 miles on it,but it was really cold 13deg when it happend to me it sounded like it was the altenator I also ahd same problem on a 96 f150 w/351 only when cold and it was bearing in altenator
slick

 

I think you guys may have just answered my prayers! I've been trying to find this annoying high-pitched squeeling noise in my truck forever, but I haven't checked the idler pullies yet. It only does it at about 20 and under in my truck, also. That has to be it. So, which idler is it? Thanks again!

 

Wish I could help you identify which one was the culprit, but mine quit before I got around to chasing it down.

 

I know it was one of the blower idlers but iI don't know which one.I'll ask him tomorrow.I think it had about 150 miles on it.

 

It's the accessory belt idler(back belt) you need to get both idlers and a new (upgraded belt) from ford. the new belt is stickier and will not cause the rattle.

 

My 01' with 1,000 miles on it has done it since i bought it. It is a high pitched sqeal. Is this a problem on the 01's also.

 

I'm on my THIRD set of idler pullies. Thank god for a shop that still honors factory warranty.

P.S. All of my idler pulley failures occured prior to the JL 5# pulley install.

Jake...

 

My 01 has been doing the same thing since it got cold out and I only have 5500 miles on it now. It has been getting worse the last couple of weeks, and it is really starting to bug me. Looks like i need to go order some pullies and a belt. Thanks for the info guys.