Hello everyone, I have been trying to figure this out for a while now. I have a 99 Dodge Ram 1500 SLT 5.9 4x4 I have changed the alternator because of squeaking, water pump, idler, fan clutch and tensioner 2 times. The problem is that the tensioner moves a lot causing the belt to jump a rib. It doesn't do this all the time, but when it does I can hear what sounds like metal bouncing around plus a clicking sound. I bought a shorter belt to bypass the AC compressor and it still did this. The only thing left is the power steering pump. Before I change the power steering pump I would like to know if anyone has seen this before? Does this make sense if the power steering pump is binding, that it puts more tension on the belt causing the tensioner to be pulled on???? I got this on video. Please Help Thank You

 

Noise sounds like the a/c compressor getting ready to seize up. It even does the same thing with it bypassed though?

 

Yes, AC bypassed it still does that

 

Got a video of it with the current configuration? Looks like the belt is still on the a/c in those two.

 

Make sure the pulleys and belt all have the same amount of ribs.

 

Yes in these videos the AC is connected, I bypassed it after and it still did this

 

+1 on that. Seems I have seen a thread about one having 6 and one having 7 grooves or ribs.

If these are the same, pull idler off and see if the bearing in it feels good. If not or if in doubt, you can change the bearing out (206 bearing I think). Pretty cheap at bearing house or industrial supply.

 

Hello everyone, I was out because of surgery i had so my truck sat in my driveway since i posted this. the tensioner has been changed 2 more times just to make sure its not that. AC bypassed - not that.

I was wondering if anyone can tell me what a loose timing chain will do?? There is some play in it when turning the crank pulley by hand.

Im thinking it might be the timing chain or the power steering pump binding. maybe a defective water pump binding. I asked mechanics at the dodge dealer and many people about this problem. No one knows, they have never seen this before. I am so confused i dont know what to do anymore. Anyone have any ideas that i can do. Please help. THANK YOU

 

engine sounds like its running perfectly, so its not the timing chain. loose timing chain takes up slack on the pulling side and transfers all slack to the other. unless it jumps a tooth (unlikely until about a 1/2 million miles), its not going to hurt anything except to shift the timing a little and gradually lose power.

if you already changed the entire tensioner with no fix of the proble, then you need to check each pulley for what the problem is. unhook the belt and spin each pulley by hand. it should be tight, smooth, and silent. also attempt to wiggle it side to side and there should be no wiggle play. replace whatever is not smooth an quiet.

my guess is the water pump.