Ford RangerMore than two decades ago, the Ford Ranger debuted as an answer to various compact pickup trucks being made available by Japanese automakers. The Ranger was cleanly styled and offered with a choice of a 6-foot or 7-foot bed. Ford boasted that the Ranger had more interior room than the best-selling imports and that 4-by-8-foot construction material could be carried in the bed.
When I had a problem it turned out that the belt was a symptom not the cause of the problem. The mechanics had replaced several belts, idler pulley, tensioner pulley and alternator before they finally figured out that the squeaking was due to a bad water pump! The water pump was so bad that it had turned red inside from the heat and they were not able to remove the fan clutch.
I had the exact same problem with my 98 Ranger with the 4.0 engine. Started last year when I had to replace the alternator, so while I was at it I replaced the tensioner and belt since they were original equipment. About a month later, I developed the squeaking that just drove me crazy. I replaced the belt again when I took it off and took it back to the parts store, they gave me a replacement and said it was the only brand they carried, it was a Dayco. Well the noise came back again about a 3 weeks ago, changed the alternator again since it was lifetime warranted unit and the noise was coming from the area of the alt. Nope it still squealed, but if I hit it with some kids driveway chaulk, it would go away for about 3-4 days and come back, so I knew it was the belt and nothing else. Went to Auto Zone this time bought a Goodyear Gatorback belt, wow, what a difference. When you look at the two side by side you will see the difference, spend the money on a good belt and your problem will be solved. Sorry for the long post, learn by my experience.
The Gator belt might have silenced the squealing, but if you'll put a straight edge on your tensioner pulley and check it's alignment with the crank pulley I'll bet you'll find that they're out of alignment.
Did that, all checked out ok as well as any runout on the pulleys in question. Before I bought the 3rd new belt I put the original tensioner on with the same result, so I put the new one back on and then bought the Goodyear belt, problem solved, like I said, put the two belts side by side and you will see a diffence in quality.
Always check your pullies for a glaze on them. That bit of shiny on them will cause a brand new belt to squeal. Take the belt off and remove the shine with some sandpaper, It helps to staple the sandpaper to a dowel that way you won't get cut up from the rad fins. Just removing the glaze will stop a squeak that a new belt didn't cure! If you used belt dressing (which you should never ever use) you will need to spray the pullies off with brake cleaner and for the alternator do the same with the dowel but this time staple a rag to it and soak it in brake cleaner and scrub it. I know old timers would just staple sandpaper to a dowel and run the motor and let the motor do the work but I DO NOT recommend that to anyone so please DO NOT try that!! Just remove the belt and take your time and a bit of elbow grease!
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1991 Ford Probe LX 3.0 mtx
If you have intermittant running problems or a flat spot/buck/dying/cutting out while accelerating.
Do your self a favor and try some dedicated gas
line dryer, Double or even triple dose it, It's cheaper
then throwing parts at a problem that doesn't throw
codes!!
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