Serpentine belt chirping noise?

Tiny
DANRACE
  • MEMBER
  • 2003 FORD EXPLORER
  • 4.0L
  • V6
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 167,000 MILES
Hello Ken and company, this is Dan again. I've been having this chirping sound coming from under the hood and it only happens in the morning and afternoon after work. I start up the vehicle in the morning, drive down like a block and then it starts chirping and after driving a couple blocks it goes away. Then in the afternoon leaving work the same thing. I could hear it while it was idling. The chirping sound will skip, and my thought process was either it's a serpentine belt, but the inside of the belt looks fine or one of the pulleys is going bad. I read one of your other comments relating to this as far as shooting some water on it so I'm assuming if I squirt some water and the sound goes away it's the belt, please advise thank you!

The vehicle listed above is a Sport model.
Thursday, March 21st, 2024 AT 8:58 PM

6 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,200 POSTS
Hi,

Using water helps determine if the belt is what is making the noise. The water will change the tone/sound of the noise.

The interesting thing is this. It only happens for a short period of time after starting the vehicle and then it stops after a short amount of time. That leads me to think something is getting on it.

Before starting the engine tomorrow, look closely at the belt for any evidence of engine coolant or oil. Check around the water pump for any evidence of a leak.

Let us know what you find.

Joe
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Thursday, March 21st, 2024 AT 9:10 PM
Tiny
DANRACE
  • MEMBER
  • 33 POSTS
Hi, I took a look at the belt this morning before I started it, I didn't see anything with on it and I included three pictures of the outer and inner serpentine belt. I didn't put any water on it and when I started it and started chirping and then by the time I got down the street a couple blocks it went away again. I added a video hopefully it plays. Thanks
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Friday, March 22nd, 2024 AT 9:50 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,200 POSTS
Hi,

I certainly hear it. Try a couple things for me. When you hear the noise, turn on as many electrical components as you have. For example, turn the headlamps on, the blower motor on high, the A/C, wipers and so on. The added load on the alternator should make it change in pitch. Also, try the water test.

Also, how old is the belt? The ribbed portion looks great, but the flat section appears to have a lot of wear marks. I attached the pic below that you sent and I'm referring to.

Let me know.

Joe

See pic below.
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Friday, March 22nd, 2024 AT 9:04 PM
Tiny
DANRACE
  • MEMBER
  • 33 POSTS
Hi, I never got a chance to do the water test because it stopped chirping lol It's been about 2 weeks now. A mystery to me.
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Tuesday, April 16th, 2024 AT 10:25 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,200 POSTS
Hi,

That's good news. LOL What better way to fix a problem? Let the car do it. LOL

Regardless, take care of yourself and feel free to come back anytime in the future.

Joe
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Wednesday, April 17th, 2024 AT 6:07 PM
Tiny
DANRACE
  • MEMBER
  • 33 POSTS
Haha! Right? Thank you! You as well! All the best!
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Wednesday, April 17th, 2024 AT 6:10 PM

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