All day i have been seaching the forum and reading some solutions to the olde squealing in the engine problem. But, unless i missed one, mine has me a little confused.

I dont drive the truck allot (its a 99 with only 46K on it). I got in it a few months ago and decided to get her back on the streets. First problem i had was the ABS light problem. thanks to this place got the fix for that (sensor). then of couse i got the cracked dash problem (a this summer fix). Now since i have been driving her. i have the LOUD, constant squeal. so i said... well i guess the belt is bad.. simple fix, run over to Advance and get me a new belt. No squeak for two days, but none the less the squeak is bad with force. I pull the new belt off, check the assories pullys for free spin (as recommend here) all spin freeling and no play. but i figure i will change the tensioner pully and idler pully any way. (cheap and easy). put the belt back on, Hello again mr. squeal. My neighbor is telling me it is the water pump, which i could "understand",,, but the past month it has been ice cold out (not normal for eastern va) and (here is where my squeak is different) In the mornings (below freezing) I have no squeak! drive to work, (truck gets good and warmed) still no squeak. Now when i get off work (warmer out) I have the squeak again. it is a constant squeak at all times, driving slow, fast or sitting at the light (yep, currently, i am "that guy" who needs to change his belt you see next to you at a red light). My pump isnt leaking and i dont overheat.
Reading these post, i am kind of leaning towards a "bad belt". I dont mind running over and getting another to try (cheaper than any componet change) but before i do, i figured i run this by you all to see if anything different might pop up either agreeing, confirming or dening any of my thoughts.

thanks for reading and providing some input.
Jake

 

one pulley at a time, try to squirt some wd40 into each pulley's center bearing. see if alternator or ps pump is the culprit. try to get some in behind waterpump pulley. its probably impossible to reach.

check your belt for alignment. make sure one pulley's not sticking in or out.

 

+1
also you may have to clean the pulleys of crap that has collected on them, which may have now transfered to you're new belt, causing it to slip/squeal.

 

maybe it could be the alternator goin bad.... I've had ones go before that squealed bad like that. And I've also been 'that guy' with the squeal haha

 

Well the weather is nice this weekend. I will give all these a gander and post what i find out and results. As far as the alternator, if with the belt off the pulley is feeling fine.... could it be something internal then?

thanks folks
Jake

 

i would think alternator also. get a long straight piece of metal and put one end on your ear and the other on the alternator housing and you will be able to tell if it is where your squeak is coming from. an 18" extension, a piece of brake line and a pry bar all work good, it just has to be metal for the noise to transfer through it.

 

So what are you all thinking about the water pump?

Now i just want to make sure,,,, when you all talk about spraying lub on each of the pullies... you ARE talking about the center where the bolt goes through (just want to make sure).... and just simple WD-40?

thanks again
jake

 

Noise will also travel thriugh wood. I've ised broom sticks and long dowel stock when nothing else was handy.

 

Well yesterday i took the belt off and did a really good once over. all the pullys are good (more about that in a bit), there is no crud in the groves and the belt looks as good as it did last week when i put it on brand new. i get the fan, and you want to talk about some wobble! that thing is wiggeling back and forth like a sea-saw, so i found the problem. looks like i will be replacing the water pump. so the squeak HAS to be coming from there. Next up, the diy section for some aid on this job...

thanks for the input here folks.
Jake

 

well im glad you found the problem. I had the same problem last year replacing belts and pullys and the day I was taking my truck in to get the axle seals fixed my water pump finally took a complete dump while i was going down the highway. Im doing 60 with the cruise on and all of a sudden my truck starts running 5000 rpms and i have no power steering. the water pump was so bad it threw the belt.