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2000 Dakota 3.9 whines/screams

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Old 12-06-2008, 07:24 PM
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Default 2000 Dakota 3.9 whines/screams

I just picked up a 2000 Dodge dakota at an auction. It's got a whine/scream coming from somewhere on the top front section of the motor, my old man is positive it comes from the A/C (though it makes sound when engaged or not). We are trying to buy a belt to bypass the A/C system but the belt listed for the NO A/C setup is about an inch or two short routing as it says to at the front of the motor. Are the pullies different sizes between the w/AC and wo/AC models? Anyone tried this before?

Are we way out to lunch on our idea? I've heard it recommended a dying water pump or idler could make the sound we are experiencing as well, probing around with a screwdriver to my ear leads me to think it is more in that area. Help!!!! I like my hearing and cant crank the music to drown out the whine for long!!
 
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Old 12-06-2008, 07:33 PM
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try this,
with the engine running, spray each pulley with wd-40, you dont need much, but if you spray one and the whine stops, then you have bad pulley bearings, somewhere.
if not, it could be the water pump, or the belt itself.

i doubt its the A/C since its constant
try using a wooden dowel rod instead of a screwdriver, it'll move the sound better
 
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Old 12-06-2008, 10:22 PM
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Ya the AC compressor only spins when its on or when the drfroster is on. Does it get louder when you rev? Have you driven it, does it seem to affect the performance?

Mine pissed and moaned cause my throttle body wasnt torqued enough and there was a tiny air leak. See if you can pin point it a bit more
 
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Old 12-06-2008, 11:22 PM
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its probably a pulley, do what batman said, if that doesnt work spray wd40 on the belt istelf and see if it stops.
 
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Old 12-07-2008, 04:59 AM
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could be something like power steering too. also,if you do want to check for a leak somewhere spray some carb cleaner over your engine bay and listen for the revs to go up, hone in on it like that, thats how you hunt down a vacuum leak anyway.....
 
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Old 12-07-2008, 09:40 AM
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we use a different method on the fords at work,
drive it hard until something breaks, then see if that helps.

a whine would indicate something belt driven,
as a vacuum leak is a whistle (trust me i've had a few)
a tickticktick sound is usually valves/rockers
a dickdickdickdick is an exaust leak from the manifold/head
 
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Old 12-07-2008, 09:44 PM
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Problem solved, yanked off the idler pulley today and checked the bearing. Doesn't take a genius to know that it shouldn't feel like it's lubricated with sand. $10 part, replaced it in about 5 minutes. The truck runs much quieter now though it isn't silent yet, I can still here a tick from the engine, but that's a fix for another day. Time to make this thing less of a company truck, selling the front bumper/winch. What would these be worth, selling as a pair.

How much would you all pay for something like this? (the bumper)


Tucked inside that bumper is a Warn x8000i winch
 
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Old 12-07-2008, 10:05 PM
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wow, that thing looks like the villain lockjaw lockjaw.jpg

LOL


the tick your hearing could be lifter tick, not too uncommon.
 
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Old 12-07-2008, 10:18 PM
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Yeha, it's ugly as sin. Hence removing it. Current plans are to replace the bumper with stock, possibly rear roll pan, fiberglass tonneau cover for the bed, new headlights/clearcorners, and a new paintjob. undecided on colour.
 
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Old 12-07-2008, 10:25 PM
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idk, varsis might like it. his Dak is like a lumberjack, ugly as hell, but tough and rugged and gets the job done. funny.gif
 


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