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  #1  
Old 12-08-2014, 12:45 AM
buggman buggman is offline
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Default Slightly Off Topic... Expo Belt Squeal

Earlier this summer I replaced Explorer's (2003 4.0L) the alternator (130a) with a 250a and had to get a shorter belt due to the overdrive pulley.
All went well until it dropped down below 40* for several weeks. Now when the expo is running I get the embarrassing squeal.

I haven't had a chance to dig into it but I did notice that when the headlights are on, they're a bit dimmer than normal at idle but over about 800rpm they're brighter as normal. It doesn't seem to get louder or higher pitched with engine rpm.

My suspicion is the belt has stretched just enough where it doesn't have the full tension & the alternator pulley is squeaking.

I asked around at the auto parts store about the belt dressing & they said it could make the squeal even worse. I'm thinking I'll have to find another new belt that's maybe 1/2" shorter than what I have now.

BTW when I got the 1st new belt, it was so short that I couldn't even get the tensioner back far enough to get the belt on
This new belt was a snug fit but I guess it's stretched a bit or it could be the fact that I saved $10 getting the house brand.

Any home remedies to try before climbing under the hood to swap belts again?
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  #2  
Old 12-08-2014, 12:53 AM
rachit rachit is offline
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Default Re: Slightly Off Topic... Expo Belt Squeal

I had the same thing happen on my old mustang when I changed the belt drive and had to get a shorter belt. What I did to fix it was I took off the tensioner and notched out part of it with my angle grinder to give it a bit more travel so it could tension the belt just a little bit more and it worked great. Hope this helps you.
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  #3  
Old 12-09-2014, 11:05 AM
crowdpleazer crowdpleazer is offline
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Default Re: Slightly Off Topic... Expo Belt Squeal

make sure the harmonic balancer is still intact. im currently replacing the one on my moms 05 explorer. it broke in half and the pulley part of it slid back and the belt was running on the rubber part of the balancer. power steering still worked and so did the alternator it just squealed bad. a little research found that its a common problem on that era 4.0's and 4.6's. its easy to identify, might have to get under the car and look to see if the belt is still in the pulley on the bottom.

just my .02
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Old 12-09-2014, 05:03 PM
buggman buggman is offline
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Default Re: Slightly Off Topic... Expo Belt Squeal

Thanks guys.
Looks like it was the lesser quality belt. Mastercraft I think from Oreilly Auto.
Got one of the more expensive belts, gator brand I think & after freezing my butt off... got it installed & so far no more squeaks.
The new belt looks to be a little thicker than the previous one & the guy said this one won't stretch... we shall see.
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