Squeeling and squeaking on startup

[ToolmanJohn]

When the truck is cold , after starting there is a lot of cyclical squeaking coming from something in the serpentine belt path. Every single idler pulley was replaced to solve the problem, but of course the noise is still there (4 pulleys replaced with Toyota OEM parts).. The serpentine belt is also new.

It goes away after several minutes of driving. SO, it must be the Alternator, A/C compressor, Power steering Pump, Water Pump, or fan clutch. Could it also be the tensioner arm itself??

Wondering if others have had to replace a component that has solved this noise problem. I can't think of a way to diagnose the exact spot the noise is coming from. It is not a constant squeal, but cyclical. Makes no difference if the A/C is on or off. The noise goes away completely after several minutes of driving.

2003 4.0 V6 Limited

 

[LB4Runner05]

When the truck is cold , after starting there is a lot of cyclical squeaking coming from something in the serpentine belt path. Every single idler pulley was replaced to solve the problem, but of course the noise is still there (4 pulleys replaced with Toyota OEM parts).. The serpentine belt is also new.

It goes away after several minutes of driving. SO, it must be the Alternator, A/C compressor, Power steering Pump, Water Pump, or fan clutch. Could it also be the tensioner arm itself??

Wondering if others have had to replace a component that has solved this noise problem. I can't think of a way to diagnose the exact spot the noise is coming from. It is not a constant squeal, but cyclical. Makes no difference if the A/C is on or off. The noise goes away completely after several minutes of driving.

2003 4.0 V6 Limited

I am having simular issues. Did you ever get it corrected?

 

[ToolmanJohn]

It's all fixed.

I replaced the belt tensioner arm. I used a Gates $68 replacement part from NAPA. I used spray water and a socket wrench to diagnose the actual problem. Found this info online.

The noise goes away for several seconds when I spayed water on the belt path, then comes right back when it dries (just a few seconds). This means it's NOT mechanical in nature, just belt path alignment issues.

So I also torqued the tension arm in and out while the engine was idling using a 1/2 inch drive ratchet wrench and socket. (a little dangerous but doable). When I pulled the arm to the front of the truck, it got crazy loud. When pushing in towards the engine it got dead quiet...So it was a worn tension arm pivot causing the noise.

The replacement of the tensioner is kind of a big job and took me almost 4 hours with a few breaks and dinner.

The battery, alternator, cooling fan, radiator shroud, and moving the A/C compressor have to be done before unbolting the tensioner (5 bolts). It's a pain because there is a lot of stuff that has to be removed just to get to the 5 bolts. And the worst part was trying to remount the damn alternator. The new tensioner had a slightly wider mount flange where the alternator bolts to it (slight being .010"). I had to "adjust" the alterator threaded bushing by pounding it out a bit after spraying with Kroil. Tehn it fit and it went back together all good. Very quiet now.

And I saved $375 by not having it done at the dealership. And they were the guys who told me it was the pulleys for sure.....Right....

This link was EXTREMELY useful http://www.fjcruiserforums.com/forums/maintenance-tech/127154-idler-pulley-bearing-failure-what-do.html