Belt Tensioner Squeel

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NapalmHeart - 29 Dec 2006 17:17 GMT

Hi,

I've got a '97 Dakota w/3.9l. The tensioner sometimes makes a lot of noise.
I've replaced it and the new one squealed just the same. Any ideas on how
to get rid of the noise?

Thanks,

Ken

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Tom Lawrence - 29 Dec 2006 17:24 GMT

> I've got a '97 Dakota w/3.9l. The tensioner sometimes makes a lot of
> noise. I've replaced it and the new one squealed just the same. Any ideas
> on how to get rid of the noise?

Are you sure it's the tensioner that's squealing, and not the idler pulley?

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NapalmHeart - 30 Dec 2006 03:27 GMT

>> I've got a '97 Dakota w/3.9l. The tensioner sometimes makes a lot of
>> noise. I've replaced it and the new one squealed just the same. Any
>> ideas on how to get rid of the noise?
>
> Are you sure it's the tensioner that's squealing, and not the idler
> pulley?

It's the pulley that is on the tensioner that's squealing. When I sprayed
some lube at the pulley mounting bolt the noise abated for a short time.

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TBone - 30 Dec 2006 15:56 GMT

If that is the case then I would return the tensioner and claim it to be
defective or better yet, bring the vehicle to the dealer where you bought
the tensioner and show them. Most dealers that I have dealt with are pretty
good about that and will get you another one because that squeal is not
normal. BTW, how old is that belt?

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If at first you don't succeed, you're not cut out for skydiving

>
> >> I've got a '97 Dakota w/3.9l. The tensioner sometimes makes a lot of
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
> It's the pulley that is on the tensioner that's squealing. When I sprayed
> some lube at the pulley mounting bolt the noise abated for a short time.

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Olaf - 31 Dec 2006 03:42 GMT

> If that is the case then I would return the tensioner and claim it to be
> defective or better yet, bring the vehicle to the dealer where you bought
[quoted text clipped - 13 lines]
>> sprayed
>> some lube at the pulley mounting bolt the noise abated for a short time.

I went 'round and 'round with this problem once. Returned the tensioner only
to find the problem persisted... returned the new belt too; problem
persisted.

I bought a gatorback belt and I've never had a noise out of it sense. Try
another brand of belt if the tensioner swap doesn't fix your problem. The
goodyear gatorback works well for me; it's what I get when I replace the
belts on my vehicles now.

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NapalmHeart - 31 Dec 2006 17:00 GMT

> If that is the case then I would return the tensioner and claim it to be
> defective or better yet, bring the vehicle to the dealer where you bought
> the tensioner and show them. Most dealers that I have dealt with are
> pretty
> good about that and will get you another one because that squeal is not
> normal. BTW, how old is that belt?

I bought the replacement parts at a local parts store. The replacement of
the belt wasn't recorded in the repair log that I keep (oops!). By visual
inspection it shows no real wear. I'll see about switching to a Gatorback
soon.

I do have to go back to the following that I posted before. The noise isn't
consistent, as it comes and goes.

"It's the pulley that is on the tensioner that's squealing. When I sprayed
some lube at the pulley mounting bolt the noise abated for a short time."

Ken

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NapalmHeart - 03 Jan 2007 01:29 GMT

First, thanks to all of those who replied.

There's a special washer that goes between the bolt and the pulley. This
washer was bent in so that it was touching on the outer race of the bearing,
causing a squealling noise. I could tell it was touching by the witness
marks left on the back of the washer. I put the bolt through the washer and
positioned it on a vise so that it would bend the washer where the witness
marks were when I hit the bolt head with a hammer.

There was still a small squeal that went away when I sprayed silicone spray
on the back of the belt and I saw the surfaces on the idler and water pump
pulleys clean up to bright and shiney (both driven by the back of the belt).
I then sprayed chlorinated brake cleaner on the belt and pulleys to clean
the silicone off. After letting it set so the brake cleaner could evaporate
I replaced the belt with a new Gatorback.

Best Wishes to all,

Ken

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Nosey - 03 Jan 2007 07:37 GMT

> First, thanks to all of those who replied.
>
[quoted text clipped - 15 lines]
>
> Ken

"Witness marks" - That's engineer talk.
"Hit the bolt head with a hammer" - That's mechanic talk.
Which one are you?

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Another Ken

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NapalmHeart - 03 Jan 2007 14:24 GMT

>> First, thanks to all of those who replied.
>>
[quoted text clipped - 19 lines]
> "Hit the bolt head with a hammer" - That's mechanic talk.
> Which one are you?

Actually, I'm nothing but a good old country boy. I worked in some
production machining factories and picked up a bit of terminology. I do
what it takes to do what I have to do.

My friends and I were doing some pretty crazy stuff with vehicles when we
were a lot younger than we are now. I learned how to see the possibilities
of what might or might not get you back home if things weren't going so
well. I don't take being stranded very well, either. Perseverance or maybe
sheer force of will can get you through a lot.

Nowadays, I baby-sit adults in a prison.

Ken

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