Really Odd Noise...

[RllyDrvrIX]

So each morning and after the T4R sits I get a "noise" at start-up.

After a couple of minutes the noise goes away.

My local shop, "the best in town", says it's the belt and I shouldn't worry too much.

There's no oil loss, no leaks, no performance or MPG change.... just this noise when I cold-start the T4R.

I'm going to take off the belts this weekend, check all pulleys and see if I can systematically find out what it is.

Any ideas from the T4R community that will help my diagnostic ability?

All feedback appreciated.

 

[BrianSD_42]

My local shop, "the best in town", says it's the belt and I shouldn't worry too much.
......
Any ideas from the T4R community that will help my diagnostic ability?

Not trying to sound too much like an @ss but here goes my idea:

It is the belt. Replace all three.

 

[RllyDrvrIX]

No "ass" taken.

Good idea.

FYI, timing belt done at 130k, truck now at 153K.

Leaving that alone for now.

 

[BrianSD_42]

ok cool.

I should have added this :moon:


Also, we have the same Black Limited 3rd Gens

 

[cobiker]

You may just need to tighten the belt a bit.

 

[RllyDrvrIX]

So there is merit to the belt idea?

 

[Dous]

So there is merit to the belt idea?

Heck yea, it happens to all belts in time. Mine did it for a couple months before I finally changed them. At initial start up when the engine starts to turn the pulley, the belt will just sit there and slip resulting in the squeal you hear. They are cheap and fairly easy to replace.

 

[RllyDrvrIX]

UPDATE:

So I decided to dust off my tools and do the belt change.

Well, after fighting with old rusty bolts, arms too big too really fit and buying some new tools I had all the belts off.

Much to my surprise the alternator would barely, and I mean barely, spin. Culprit found....

1 new (remanufactured) alternator, 3 new belts, lots of WD-40, ample sweat and elbow grease (oh, ~$240 total out of pocket) it's all better now....

I forgot that I do enjoy the challenge of wrenching on my own truck.

Cheers!

 

[markopolo]

I was having the squealing belt problem about a month ago so I tightened the alternator belt and it fixed the initial start up squeal, but since then I notice a slight squeal all the time. Wondering if maybe I tightened it up too much, or need to completely replace the alternator (which I'm hoping isn't the case). Before I do anything major I plan on checking the belt tension again and seeing how freely the alternator pulley spins while I'm at it. How long did the entire replacement take you?

 

[RllyDrvrIX]

I was having the squealing belt problem about a month ago so I tightened the alternator belt and it fixed the initial start up squeal, but since then I notice a slight squeal all the time. Wondering if maybe I tightened it up too much, or need to completely replace the alternator (which I'm hoping isn't the case). Before I do anything major I plan on checking the belt tension again and seeing how freely the alternator pulley spins while I'm at it. How long did the entire replacement take you?

Before I share how long it took me please recall that this T4R has 153K and many Buffalo/Rochester/Syracuse winters.

Skid plate off was easy. Top-side bolts were okay so long as you go buy or have a set of wrachet-wrenches. Bottom-side bolts needed significant PB and some rubber mallet convincing but they eventually moved.

Overall, the belts and alternator were a (laugh if you want, you didn't see the rusty bolts) 4 hour job.

PM me with any questions.

 

[IanB]

Before I share how long it took me please recall that this T4R has 153K and many Buffalo/Rochester/Syracuse winters.

Skid plate off was easy. Top-side bolts were okay so long as you go buy or have a set of wrachet-wrenches. Bottom-side bolts needed significant PB and some rubber mallet convincing but they eventually moved.

Overall, the belts and alternator were a (laugh if you want, you didn't see the rusty bolts) 4 hour job.

PM me with any questions.

Nothing wrong with that, you didn't break any bolts off, and you gained some confidence and familiarity with your vehicle. If you're anything like me, you could likely do the same job again in 1/3 the time now, and you're more likely to tackle other maintenance items on your own going forward. My time is worth less than $100+/hr, and I can justify buying more tools with the money I've saved, plus I also enjoy getting my hands dirty once in a while. Good on you for doing it yourself!

 

[RllyDrvrIX]

Thank you.

It's nothing I haven't done before but the challenge of a 14 year old T4R was tough.

I'll attack more as time and $$ (this is the spare vehicle) allow.

I say go for the repair, take your time, drink lots of fluids and good luck.

Most of all, take the belt off and try the pulley by hand....