Engine belt slipping off of the tensioner. need help!!!

blueranger1801 · #1 01-29-2011, 07:21 AM

So ya. my father and i decided to clean the engine bay yesterday with some chemicals and water. He sprays the inside of the engine with the water but says he is doing it carefully not to get the alternator.

After cleaning the engine i started hearing a squeaking sound and inspected the engine belt. I notice that on the tensioner that belt seems like its not aligned properly. The engine still works fine and it does not like actually pop off the pulley but still its not aligned properly and is going back and forth on it a little bit...

what could be the cause of this? what could it lead to? how do i fix it???

the squeaking sound is very annoying....

Fordzilla80 · #2 01-29-2011, 01:18 PM

Does the tensioner still function like normal?

Tensioner pulleys like to give fits on Rangers, if your truck is of higher mileage and age, it may be a good idea to just replace it.

blueranger1801 · #3 01-29-2011, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fordzilla80

Does the tensioner still function like normal?

Tensioner pulleys like to give fits on Rangers, if your truck is of higher mileage and age, it may be a good idea to just replace it.

does it still function like normal? well its spinning lol...um....it does not seem like the belt is loose cuz it feels pretty tight when i tug it a little... how ever it does look like its not aligned properly.....it looks like its loose and its being pulled to the right towards the alternator. but like a little bit...enough that the belt is not wrapped around it properly...its kinda like coming off a little bit.

pjschmitt · #4 01-31-2011, 01:22 AM

1. try belt dressing
2. check the tension of the belt of have it checked.
3. Replace tensioner and belt.

Belt can be cheapest one they got, as long as its new and the right size...

Hope that helped.

Fordzilla80 · #5 01-31-2011, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blueranger1801

does it still function like normal? well its spinning lol...um....it does not seem like the belt is loose cuz it feels pretty tight when i tug it a little... how ever it does look like its not aligned properly.....it looks like its loose and its being pulled to the right towards the alternator. but like a little bit...enough that the belt is not wrapped around it properly...its kinda like coming off a little bit.

The bearings could be screwed up in the tensioner pulley. Any noise coming from the tensioner?

Cooter83 · #6 02-02-2011, 08:56 AM

Yeah, check the tensioner. If the tensioner itself is moving in and out away from the engine, you'll need a new tensioner. If it's not the tensioner, check the rest of the pullies. If one pully is not aligned properly, align it. You'll need a special tool for the power steering pully. You'll need a power steering removal/installer tool. If it's another pully that is not aligned properly, you could very possibly have a pully on backwards. I know it sounds dumb, but just give it a good look over. You'd be amazed what people do when they want to shade tree a job. And also, get a Dayco belt. There was another guy on this forum that had a squeeky belt issue and solved it with a Dayco belt. He's put several hundred miles on it since and still no problems. Hope this helps!