97 Ford Explorer Xlt Problems

youwish7 · 12-06-2006, 04:52 PM

I have a 1997 Ford Explorer XLT V8 AWD 5.0 ENG. A few months back my Serpentine belt began squealing, I went to Auto Zone purchased new belt, paid to have it installed. After it was installed, the guy tells me that my belt tensioner was really tight and if it started to squeal again, I might want to replace tensioner (I know it's spring loaded, no adjusting) of course, next day it's squealing again and now "Check Engine" light is on. Go to Ford purchase belt tensioner pay to have it installed. 2 days later it's squealing again but from different area, take it in I'm standing right there with mechanic with scope. He has me listen when he finds the source. Water pump. Okay, so I go and purchase water pump, pay to have it installed. Check engine light goes off-stays off. But,the very next day it's squealing again, different area and louder. Also it is jerking occassionally like bad plug wires. I really can't afford to keep going through this but anyway take it to mech. he tells me Serpentine belt is wrong size he calls auto zone gets them to refund my money I go to Ford purchase correct one pay to have it installed. Very next day...You guessed it!! Squealing again! now it's only on a cold start. after engine warms it goes away or is very faint. And jerking is occassionally still. The point is forget the W240 and the belt dressing fixes. It didn't use to make this noise what is causing this??? I can't afford anyone else to just have the car and let them charge me to diagnose at $70/hour. The noise isn't really a screeching like a belt, more of a fast paced chirping and appears to be coming from front drivers side, not left.Please help!

youwish7 · 12-09-2006, 11:22 AM

I noticed a guy with the same problem back in 2005, he never got a response.
Must be way beyond the scope of Ford's knowledge?

SCFordboy · 08-16-2007, 09:00 AM

Did you get your noise fixed? I have a squeal right now with my 99 explorer. I have replaced tensioner pulley, idler pulley, waterpump, rebuilt the alternator. I ran it for 10 sec with belt. It still does it. Only pulley moving was crankshaft pulley. What gives? Anyone else have this issue?

SCFordboy · 08-27-2007, 07:30 PM

Latest update...... I have been to 2 mechanics and one transmission specialist. EVERYONE is stumped. There are no engine codes. No leaks, BUT the noise is still there. Seems to be at the rear near the firewall. Most prevalent at startup. Anyone had similiar problems. Someone describes it as a loud chirping bird. But it sure sounds like a belt.

RickMN · 08-28-2007, 05:18 PM

The cam synchronizer is known to produce just this kind of noise. Easiest way to check is to remove the belt. Start the engine cold without the belt. That will eliminate all the rotating accessories. If you still hear the noise, zero in on the cam synchronizer.

gator93 · 09-11-2007, 10:56 AM

I also have a 1997 Explorer XLT V8 5.0 2WD (116k miles) with a noise similar to what you described. In my case, it started a couple months ago as a metallic chirping and I immediately thought it was a bad bearing somewhere. I couldn't pinpoint the sound 100% but using sound triangulation with a friend we both felt it was in the area of the alternator. So, I replaced the alternator but it made no difference.

The rhythm of the sound matches the rpm of the engine. A/C on or off has no apparent effect. The sound has gotten worse and now sometimes sounds like bearing growl similar to when power steering pump fluid is low. However, it's not as loud as a dry PS pump and the volume decreases after driving for a little while but never goes away completely. Sometimes it just has the metallic chirping sound. I took it to a mechanic but he couldn't pinpoint the source with a scope either. He said it is definitely something on the belt because the noise goes away when running without the belt. However, he said all pulleys, power steering pump, water pump, compressor and alternator (which is new) turn smoothly. Initially, before looking at it, he thought it could be the cam shaft positioning sensor but the belt removal test eliminated that possibility. I'd really like to find a solution because I'm certain something is not right. I don't want to wait and find out the hard way by breaking down on a road trip. Anyone know of a cause and/or solution?

Wild Bill · 11-18-2007, 03:44 AM

I had the same problem a couple of months after putting an after-market serpentine belt on my Exployer. I took it to a repair garage and they tried changing out all the pulleys without any luck. A guy I work with told me he had the same problem and an oldtimer told him to replace the belt. Well that's what I did. I bought a belt from a Ford dealer and I haven't heard a sound since. Good Luck