98 Ram belt squeal?

M_SHARROCK2003

MEMBER
1998 DODGE TRUCK

OK I hope someone can help, I have a 98 ram 4x4 5.9 that developed a squeal that would get louder with the amout of pedal you give it. Naturally the first thing I did was change the belt. The noise went away. For about a month then came back. It sounded like it was coming from one of the pulleys, Autozone guessed it was the belt tensioner, so I replaced it. It stopped again. Then came back. So the air conditioner doesn't work anyway so I got a smaller belt and went around the compressor. The noise stopped, and I thought I had it this time. But no. Month later and today it's came back. Went to 3 places for advise 2 of which guessed the idle pulley and the third guessed the fan clutch because when I shut it off the fan still goes around a few times. Now not knowing for sure and not being able to handle the noise I picked up another belt, and sure enough it went right away. So I have about a month to figure it out I guess.
Any Ideas?
Thanks Mike

2 Replies

CARL CARLTON

MEMBER
10 POSTS

I am assuming that you have checked to make sure everything rotates freely when you have the belt off? Really check the water pump good, if it is old with high miles, that could be suspect, or the alternator may be adding a lot of drag under heavy load.