My 03 ranger has recently started to squeak at 3 to 4k RPMS. I established that it was the serpentine belt, took it the mechanic, who told me he would replace it but it would eventually be squeaking again as all cars do it. Less than a week later, after driving it 2 or 3 times, it is in fact squeaking worse than before between 3 and 4k RPMs. Again, it has a brand new belt, less than a week old. What could be the cause? Thanks for the help!

If the mechanic just threw a new belt on then yes, it will squeak again rather quickly. In my experience, it has always been necessary to properly clean all the pulleys before installing the new serpentine belt. If a belt starts to slip or has been slipping, you will find old rubber built up in the pulley grooves. The edges of the grooved pulleys can get polished or glazed as well as the surface of the smooth pulleys. Throwing a new belt on top of this crap will make it almost always slip. I use brake cleaner and a wire brush to clean the grooved pulleys and scotchbrite pads to clean the smooth ones. Make sure the pulleys are completely free of solvent and debris before putting the new belt on. Use a good quality belt and it'll last you a long squeak free time. Now if you have a pulley failing... replace and do the above. Oh.. and your new belt is probably junk now.. once they slip, it only gets worse.

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1995 Ranger XLT 3.0L OBDII
Trans: A4LD (E) 2WD
Rear: 7.5 / 3.45 NL LHD
Tires:GY P235 75/R15 (orig 225 70/R14)
Long Bed, 20 Gal Tank
Up to 229,900 miles

replace tensor and pulley's bearings

Grumpa started you off in the right direction, I would recommend buying/borrowing a mechanics stethoscope to try and trace your problem. Coolant weeping from a water pump or hose as well as an oil leak can quickly foul a new belt. Also check all driven idler and tensioner pulleys, fan clutch, A/C clutch bearing and alternator bearings. Use extreme caution around all moving parts and place the stethoscope tip close to each bearing and listen for the growl. A locked up fan clutch will generally make a lot of wind noise but usually won't cause belt squeal.

So, assuming it is simply a cleaning issue, or even if it does need a new pulley or tensioner, it will need a new belt to stop the squeaking again? It seems to me that it could be coolant on the pulleys.. I actually just got the truck back from the shop today because the guy was replacing the radiator due to a coolant leak.

The big question here is, who is doing the work? Because if you're doing it, then I'd say remove the belt and either rev it to 3.5-4K and listen for the sound or take it for a quick spin, getting the engine up to said speed (no, it won't overheat on a one-two block test drive). If it does NOT stop squeeking, then it's not the belt or a belt driven component, and I'd probably zero in on the cam position sensor (sooner or later, someone here will bring that issue up). If the noise does stop, then spin each pulley in an effort to find the noise, and if that doesn't do it, put the belt back on and use the stethoscope to help pinpoint the noise source. Might be a bit of a challenge too since it's gotta be reved up in order to hear it. But on the other hand, since you're taking it to a shop I guess all you can to is hope he finds it. FWIW I also don't agree with your mechanics comment about squeaky belts, "all cars do it" as it doesn't inspire confidence in his ability to get to the point and pinpoint the source and fix it. My vehicles don't have squeaky belts, I don't hear a plethora of squeaky belts from other cars as I walk down busy streets, though parking lots, nor as I mingle in traffic or wait at a stop sign to enter a state highway. Do you believe the motoring public would tolerate driving their cars around with squeaky belts and uniformly accept this "all cars do it" as a realistic answer? :-\

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2004 Ranger FX4 Level II, 5R55E, Sonic Blue Pearl

Proudly JAP/RICE free since March 2000

After checking everything as suggested above, I found that a Goodyear Gatorback belt solved problem on wife's Taurus Vulcan (new cheapy belt just kept squeaking).
Think they were bought by a company named Continental but belts are supposed to be as good.

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2006 Ford Ranger XLT, 2-Door extended cab, 3.0l, Automatic, Air-cond., Cruise, AM-FM Stereo (no CD), ARE Impulse camper shell, Plastic Bedliner, and that's it, as far as extras.

+1000

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00 XLT 4WD XCSB 4.0 my new baby
00 XLT 2WD RCSB 5.0 swap in progress.
98 XLT 4WD XCSB 4.0 dead
99 EXPO donor motor for dead one and parts for the others.
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