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97 Sable belt constantly loosening and chirping.
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johnnyo
New User
Nov 9, 2009, 7:13 PM
Post #1 of 12
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97 Sable belt constantly loosening and chirping.
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Ok. I've put a ton of work into this and now it's time to ask the people.
Bought the car almost 3 years ago. after a couple months it started chirping on the belt side. Checked the belt. It was fine. Let it go for a while. This year it started getting worse so I decided to change the belt. It was fine for a month then started again. got worse quick this time. I figured it was because I bought the cheap NAPA belt. So then I did routine oil change/filter/pcv etc maintenance and right when I finished I got the CEL. Pulled the P0304 which is Cam sync snsor. Went to replace sensor, whole sync assembly is trashed. I replaced assembly and put on a new motorcraft belt. No more CEL ran perfect for a month then the chirping started again. Now...
I know it was coincidence that the sync went bad around the same time because the whole time the chirp was on the belt side so I know it's most likely the tensioner, Idler, power steering or A/C pulley. Plus I didnt get a CEL until 3-4 months ago.
The chirping gets worse upon acceleration.
When I take the belt off and start the engine the noise is gone.
When I check the tensioner marks it never seems to read as tight even with new belt. (I had one go out on my 96 ranger last year too)
My A/C seems to stay on even when I use just the fan (sometimes) I noticed that this summer.
I used a drumstick as a stethascope all over and get nothing.
When I take the belt off and spin the pulleys by hand the power steering pully does make a very slight squeek.
I am basically sick of taking the belts off and am hoping for insght as to which pulley it may be. I'm thinking either the tensioner or the power steering. But the a/c thing is weird too. Only 92000 on this car. Thx
links removed
(This post was edited by Hammer Time on Nov 9, 2009, 7:55 PM)
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Loren Champlain Sr
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/ Moderator
Nov 9, 2009, 7:43 PM
Post #2 of 12
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Re: 97 Sable belt constantly loosening and chirping.
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Johnny; First, P0304 is not cam sensor. It is cylinder four misfire. Could be that you transposed a couple of numbers? Pretty common for the sensor/sychronizers to fault. As far as the belt chirp, could be a faulty belt or the belt tensioner.
Is also common for the idler pulley bearings to deteriorate, over time. Carefully, using a long handle screwdriver, with your ear to the handle, place it on each of the pulleys, one at a time. You should be able to tell where the loudest noise is coming from. Take a little bit of silicone and put it on the serpentine belt. Start the engine. If the noise goes away, it's the belt, itself, or lack of tension. The tensioner should move freely, in both directions. Observe the angle of the tensioner pulley with the belt in place. If it is 'cocked' to an angle, it's toast. The A/C compressor will engage whenever the heater control is in the defrost or A/C mode. This is normal.
Rare, but if the power steering pump or rack/pinion has a problem, could be putting too much 'strain' or 'resistance' on the belt. How does the P/S fluid look? Have you had it flushed, yet? Just some thoughts.
Loren
SW Washington
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johnnyo
New User
Nov 9, 2009, 11:41 PM
Post #3 of 12
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Re: 97 Sable belt constantly loosening and chirping.
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Thanks Loren. You definetely brought things to my attention that I haven't thought of and yes I dont quite remember the exact code. I pulled them at an auto store and the meter showed the code # and also said "cam sync sensor". I cannever remember all the numbers. Ha. I'll check all of that tomorrow and post the results.
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Loren Champlain Sr
Veteran
/ Moderator
Nov 10, 2009, 2:17 PM
Post #4 of 12
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Re: 97 Sable belt constantly loosening and chirping.
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Johnny; Just remembered something else. The squeaking noise could be coming from the cam sensor/synchronizer. Have run into a few of those. The sensor is bolted to the top of the synchronizer (which takes the place of a distributor). A special tool is required to replace. When you hear the noise again, use the screwdriver as a stethescope on the sensor/synchronizer.
Loren
SW Washington
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Nov 10, 2009, 4:27 PM
Post #5 of 12
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Re: 97 Sable belt constantly loosening and chirping.
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Back a couple posts Loren suggested some lube on the belt. If even WD-40 will shut it up then belt and pulleys are the issue.
Can't say without more testing but some cars the pulleys and belt don't get along - OE stuff or not! They make so called quiet belts that work and if the does the trick with no real mechanical problems I'd swap it it it out again.
Two are Dayco and Goodyear Gatorback that work with belt noise if only that. On all my own vehicles but watch out - they tend to stretch to limits of tensioner faster!
T
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Loren Champlain Sr
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/ Moderator
Nov 10, 2009, 4:49 PM
Post #7 of 12
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Re: 97 Sable belt constantly loosening and chirping.
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Oooops. You are right as rain. Going back to sleep, now.
Loren
SW Washington
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way2old
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/ Moderator
Nov 11, 2009, 5:03 AM
Post #8 of 12
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Re: 97 Sable belt constantly loosening and chirping.
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Have you tried cleaning the grooves in the pulleys? We have had a few that dirt and glaze gets in the pulleys and cause a squeaking noise.
Being way2old is why I need help from younger minds
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johnnyo
New User
Nov 28, 2009, 5:02 PM
Post #9 of 12
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Re: 97 Sable belt constantly loosening and chirping.
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Ok! It ended up being the tensioner. The spring was just worn out. So... After changing the cam sync assembly, the sensor and the belt, the next step is either the tensioner and/or idler pulley. Thanks to everyone for their help on this! Happy holidays!
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Nov 28, 2009, 5:05 PM
Post #10 of 12
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Re: 97 Sable belt constantly loosening and chirping.
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Thanks for posting the results
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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chickenhouse
Enthusiast
Nov 28, 2009, 6:44 PM
Post #11 of 12
(3692 views)
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Re: 97 Sable belt constantly loosening and chirping.
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So, you play the drums? I used to. Wipeout was a favorite.
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johnnyo
New User
Nov 29, 2009, 8:05 PM
Post #12 of 12
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Re: 97 Sable belt constantly loosening and chirping.
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Yes, how did you know? my email address? My site is way out of date. I have a bunch more music to add from the last 3 years. Gotta get on that.. Ha.
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