Squeal when engine warms
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Registered User
Joined: Mar 2022
Posts: 3
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From: Athens, TN
Squeal when engine warms
I have an '02 3.9 Dakota 2x4 extended cab, that starts fine, and is nice and quiet, after the clutch fan calms down. However, after the vehicle warms up to op temp, 5-10 minutes, it begins to squeal. Sometimes it takes longer than 10 minutes, but nevertheless, it squeals at all speeds, once it starts - whether driving 55 or at idle and parked. I'm having trouble diagnosing where it's coming from. No leaks anywhere, the serpentine belt is relatively new. As is the belt tensioner pulley. Obviously, it's loud and annoying, and I just cannot locate it. I thought perhaps it's the clutch fan, or maybe the harmonic balancer, or perhaps the water pump is getting ready to go. I just have no clue at all. Has anyone had this situation come up, and have you found a solution?
Grand Champion
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 5,146
Likes: 721
From: S.W. Indiana
I have an '02 3.9 Dakota 2x4 extended cab, that starts fine, and is nice and quiet, after the clutch fan calms down. However, after the vehicle warms up to op temp, 5-10 minutes, it begins to squeal. Sometimes it takes longer than 10 minutes, but nevertheless, it squeals at all speeds, once it starts - whether driving 55 or at idle and parked. I'm having trouble diagnosing where it's coming from. No leaks anywhere, the serpentine belt is relatively new. As is the belt tensioner pulley. Obviously, it's loud and annoying, and I just cannot locate it. I thought perhaps it's the clutch fan, or maybe the harmonic balancer, or perhaps the water pump is getting ready to go. I just have no clue at all. Has anyone had this situation come up, and have you found a solution?
Your truck doesn't do it at a rock concert with a hot boy band does it? It might just be excited.
Seriously, it sounds like a idler pulley going. Does it make any difference if the a/c is running or not?
Amateur
Joined: Apr 2022
Posts: 31
Likes: 1
I have an '02 3.9 Dakota 2x4 extended cab, that starts fine, and is nice and quiet, after the clutch fan calms down. However, after the vehicle warms up to op temp, 5-10 minutes, it begins to squeal. Sometimes it takes longer than 10 minutes, but nevertheless, it squeals at all speeds, once it starts - whether driving 55 or at idle and parked. I'm having trouble diagnosing where it's coming from. No leaks anywhere, the serpentine belt is relatively new. As is the belt tensioner pulley. Obviously, it's loud and annoying, and I just cannot locate it. I thought perhaps it's the clutch fan, or maybe the harmonic balancer, or perhaps the water pump is getting ready to go. I just have no clue at all. Has anyone had this situation come up, and have you found a solution?
Grand Champion
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 5,146
Likes: 721
From: S.W. Indiana
The idler pulleys aren't really greaseable. Usually, when they start making noise, it's a good idea to just replace them.
Champion
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 3,771
Likes: 448
From: Atlanta
Parasitic loss#3 - Dry pulleys. Wasn't experiencing an issue, just passing along the info. Anytime you get the opportunity and have the belt off, spin everything by hand and also regrease any dry sounding pulleys. A tiny flat screwdriver can be slipped under the inner circumference of the bearing seals (which won't leak due to centrifugal forces) and the seal can be removed. I popped off the grease seals and regreased the idler and tensioner pulleys again by simply pushing in grease with my fingers.