Is anyone else having problems with the serpentine belt tensioner pulley?? I have 13,700 miles on my 99 5.4 piston slapper and I had it replaced at about 5k miles, and now it is screaching and grinding AGAIN.....

Since I'm probably not getting a new engine, I will have to take it in again and leave it overnight for them to cold start it, then order the part, then take it back when the part comes in.....you all know the routine...

My local dealer sucks, had it in 2 times for the slap, they are convinced that the noise it "normal", which I keep telling them is BS.

I'm moving to FL in 3 week, maybe it will like the heat better than the cold....maybe I can get a good dealer to look at it down there...

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99 F150 4x4 supercab 5.4/Auto
Off-Road Pkg
Wedgewood blue/gray cloth
Lund Interceptor

 

Hey, when does your pulley make all this noise??? I have some kind of screaching/whining coming from the engine compartment only when accelerating fairly hard. To me it sounds like a going waterpump or belt pulley. However just standing still and revving the engine, I can't hear it. It has to be under load, that is what makes me think that it is a tensioner.

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97 F150, XLT, Flare-side, ext. cab, Pacific Green, 4.6L Triton V8.

 

Rooster- I had a similar problem a couple of years ago. Turned out it was the fan clutch. Might be worth checking. Hope this helps.

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Dave Sohmer
97 F-150 SC FS XLT 5.4L,Sherrod Conversion Pkg. consisting of full ground effects,running boards leather interior,wood grain dash, Cervini Cowl Induction Hood, Dual Exhaust, K&N FIPK, SportTek tonneau.

 

My truck has been four times for this same noise and I even had it on video tape to show them since the dealer couldn't make it do it. I hope this time thet fix it. I have had both the upper and lower pulleys replaces and a new belt only have 18,000 miles on it.

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99 Lariat 5.4 style side, Gibson exhaust, Bilstien shocks, 4WD spoiler with fog lights, upgraded audio system, Donelley rear view mirror,extang tonneau,hellwig rear sway bar,bug shiled,SuperChip

 

Yes, mine is during startup also....that is the only time it does it....my Explorer did it all the time, what a horrible noise it made driving on the interstae at 75-80mph!!!

It seems to be worse when it is cold...now that the weather is warming up, it isn't as bad. I'm almost sure the the damn dealer will say that it is "normal"...

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99 F150 4x4 SC/SB 5.4/Auto
Off-Road Pkg
Wedgewood blue/gray
Lund Interceptor

 

I don't imagine it's the same one on the 4.2, but mine was making noise only on cold start up. Had it replaced under warranty and no problem since.

 

Hey Slapshot...I have the same problem on my new 2001 supercrew. Just when it is cold on start up for about a minute or less....then it's gone. I think I have the sound narrowed down to the belt tension idler (squeal/grinding).

I will be taking it in for a check up here soon...This is not a big deal compared to a lot of others problems!

 

Hmm... I wonder if this is the problem I am having. Mine will whine on cold starts (during cold mornings) but only when I engage the gears. It starts normal but as soon as I put it in D or R it starts to whine quite loudly until I shut the ignition off. Once it starts, whining noise continues until I shut the engine regardless of what position the transmission is in. Usually, the whining noise is gone by the second start. On couple of occasions, the noise came back after the engine was sufficiently warmed up. It started to whine while the truck was stopped at a light and disappeared as soon as the throttle was applied.
I have yet to notify the dealer as I am worried that they won't find the problem. I have recorded the noise, on a tape, from inside and outside of the vehicle, hoping that the dealer will understand what I am talking about. What do you guys think? Same or similar problem? Your suggestion will be appreciated.

Tony.

99 XLT 4X4 Sport.
4.6L V8.
Borla cat-back exhaust and dual tips.
K&N FilterCharger.

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Hyper 1

 

Mine is louder in neutral..once it put it in drive, it about goes away...it will slowly get worse and happen more often....
It goes in Friday, I will let you know if they blow me off again...

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99 F150 XLT 4x4 SC/SB 5.4/Auto
Off-Road Pkg
Wedgewood blue/gray
Lund Interceptor
Ford Factory cab steps
Ford mud guards
Pendaliner bed liner

 

Please keep us posted, slapshot.

I am planning to take mine in for 15,000 mile service within next three weeks, so I will see if I can get them to fix the problem as well.

Thanks

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Hyper 1
99 XLT 4X4 Sport-Black.
4.6L V8/Auto.
3.55 Limited Slip.
Class III Towing Package.
Borla CatBack Exhaust.
Dual Borla 4.5" Carbon Exhaust tips.
K&N FilterCharger.

 

I am on belt tensioner pulley #3..they changed it again yesterday, it sounds like a normal engine again.....
after reading the paperwork, they changed the idler pulley also....

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99 F150 XLT 4x4 SC/SB 5.4/Auto
Off-Road Pkg
Wedgewood blue/gray
Lund Interceptor
Ford Factory cab steps
Ford mud guards
Pendaliner bed liner



[This message has been edited by slapshot (edited 06-11-2000).]

 

I've had this problem twice. First time it happened was a few days after I sprayed out the engine compartment with water. I took it to the dealer, who proceeded to break a casting off the cam chain cover in trying to fix it. They replaced a bunch of stuff and blamed the noise on the water pump. Regardless, the noise was gone when I got it back. A few months later, the problem returned. Every morning on startup I have a chirping sound for about a minute before it goes away for the rest of the day. Figured it might be the tensioner, but after reading another thread 'noise on startup' I'm starting to wonder. Anyone know anything about this TSB?

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99 F-150 4x4 XLT 4.6 3.55
Black SuperCab

[This message has been edited by XLR8 (edited 06-12-2000).]

[This message has been edited by XLR8 (edited 06-12-2000).]