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HELP!! Screeching noise (???)

5K views 16 replies 0 participants last post by  kundalini 
G
#1 ·
My '81 F-100 screeches when I start up, and it usually stops after a
minute or two. Worse in cold weather. This last week LOUD screeches all
the way home from work (20 miles).
I looked at the belts, and everyone agrees - they're okay. Of course it
doesn't make a sound when others look.
I can't tell if it's a bad bearing in the alternator, and just got the
idea from Haynes that it might be the water pump...what does THAT
cost??
dark now - but tomorrow I'm going to look for leaks around the pump,
and try spraying some carb cleaner or WD-40 all over the alternator.
Belt lubricant does not help...
any ideas appreciated! I have to get a rebuilt alternator if that's the
problem, and have a guy at work install it, but could it be the belts,
or the water pump??
Thanks group! :+)
kundaliniratterdeletethis@yahoo.com
 
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G
#2 ·
kundalini wrote:
> My '81 F-100 screeches when I start up, and it usually stops after a
> minute or two. Worse in cold weather. This last week LOUD screeches all
> the way home from work (20 miles).
> I looked at the belts, and everyone agrees - they're okay. Of course it
> doesn't make a sound when others look.
> I can't tell if it's a bad bearing in the alternator, and just got the
> idea from Haynes that it might be the water pump...what does THAT
> cost??
> dark now - but tomorrow I'm going to look for leaks around the pump,
> and try spraying some carb cleaner or WD-40 all over the alternator.
> Belt lubricant does not help...
> any ideas appreciated! I have to get a rebuilt alternator if that's the
> problem, and have a guy at work install it, but could it be the belts,
> or the water pump??
> Thanks group! :+)
> kundaliniratterdeletethis@yahoo.com
>

Idler pulley bearing
 
G
#3 ·
Re: CHEAP fix!! Screeching noise

Today was warm. I looked @ the water pump area - no leak. The radiator
was full.
Looked @ the belts - tight.
Grabbed the fan - no movement.
No belt spray, so I sprayed WD-40 on and under everything.
Filled up the power steering reservoir.
Poured power steering fluid all over and in the pulleys (pullies??)
Started it up, and NO SCREECHING!
I expect it to return when it gets cold, and you can't tell belt
condition by looking, but figure I saved from $75 - $200 (at least for
now)..
 
G
#4 ·
Re: CHEAP fix!! Screeching noise

We have used castor oil on belts for years. Some belt dressings can
cause the belt to grab and rip the belt. This happened to my dad years
ago on Papec field cutter. Since using castor oil, no more problems
with ripped belts.
Our J.I. Case 140W hay baler has a 4" wide flat belt. A few drops of
castor oil will help it tack-up and run true on the pulley.
Castor oil will help stop sqeeking belts on engines and will not rot
the belts.
The thing to remember is a little goes a very very long way.
 
G
#5 ·
Screeching back - and worse!

Okay, no flames please...
It got cold, from 55F at night to 28F days (Atlanta, and the noise is
back, and UNBEARABLE!
I can't afford to leave this at a shop for 3 days, so I might call Pep
Boys (they should have the parts), and ask if I can leave it there
mornings, but don't want to get ripped off.
The Auto Zone idea, and the Castor Oil idea are appreciated - Thanks!
Where do ya live to use tractors?
How much will it cost to fix a pulley bearing? I'd ask them, but
they'll say that's the problem, even if it's something else...
I KNOW it's not the water pump... thanks group,

> kundaliniratterdeletethis@yahoo.com
 
G
#6 ·
>My '81 F-100 screeches when I start (it)
> up, and it usually stops after a minute or
> two.


It would be of help to know what engine and the number of belts driving
what pieces. I have an '81 F100 which has a 300cid engine. The simple
way to diagnose the problem would be to remove each drive belt, one at a
time, and when the noise stops.....check the piece that the belt drives.
Are you positive the belts are tight enough? Your discription could
easily be a_loose_ and/or worn out belt.....looking good and actually
being good are quite different. I have a water pump noise when it's
cold, but it's not a screeching noise. It 'goes away' when the engine
warms up. I'm on the third wp for this engine. Each before made that
same noise in the cold weather.

Dave S(Texas)
 
G
#7 ·
Re: Screeching back - and worse!

kundalini wrote:
> Okay, no flames please...
> It got cold, from 55F at night to 28F days (Atlanta, and the noise is
> back, and UNBEARABLE!
> I can't afford to leave this at a shop for 3 days, so I might call Pep
> Boys (they should have the parts), and ask if I can leave it there
> mornings, but don't want to get ripped off.
> The Auto Zone idea, and the Castor Oil idea are appreciated - Thanks!
> Where do ya live to use tractors?
> How much will it cost to fix a pulley bearing? I'd ask them, but
> they'll say that's the problem, even if it's something else...
> I KNOW it's not the water pump... thanks group,
>
>
>>kundaliniratterdeletethis@yahoo.com

>
>

check the belt tensioner>?
 
G
#8 ·
Re: Screeching back - and worse!

"BattleGodz" <stcroix_2@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:ttKdnQaW7qFGAOHeRVn-rQ@comcast.com...
> kundalini wrote:
>> Okay, no flames please...
>> It got cold, from 55F at night to 28F days (Atlanta, and the noise is
>> back, and UNBEARABLE!
>> I can't afford to leave this at a shop for 3 days, so I might call Pep
>> Boys (they should have the parts), and ask if I can leave it there
>> mornings, but don't want to get ripped off.
>> The Auto Zone idea, and the Castor Oil idea are appreciated - Thanks!
>> Where do ya live to use tractors?
>> How much will it cost to fix a pulley bearing? I'd ask them, but
>> they'll say that's the problem, even if it's something else...
>> I KNOW it's not the water pump... thanks group,
>>
>>
>>>kundaliniratterdeletethis@yahoo.com

>>
>>

> check the belt tensioner>?

==
Next time you start it put all your lights on plus brake and reverse. If the
screaching gets worse it's probably bad belt or bad tensioner, if you have
one.
Geoff.
 
G
#9 ·
Re: Screeching back - and worse!

On Thu, 17 Nov 2005 04:38:37 -0800, kundalini rearranged some electrons to
form:

> Okay, no flames please...
> It got cold, from 55F at night to 28F days (Atlanta, and the noise is
> back, and UNBEARABLE!
> I can't afford to leave this at a shop for 3 days, so I might call Pep
> Boys (they should have the parts), and ask if I can leave it there
> mornings, but don't want to get ripped off.
> The Auto Zone idea, and the Castor Oil idea are appreciated - Thanks!
> Where do ya live to use tractors?
> How much will it cost to fix a pulley bearing? I'd ask them, but
> they'll say that's the problem, even if it's something else...
> I KNOW it's not the water pump... thanks group,
>


How do you KNOW that it's not the water pump?

>> kundaliniratterdeletethis@yahoo.com


--
David M (dmacchiarolo)
http://home.triad.rr.com/redsled
T/S 53
sled351 Linux 2.4.18-14 has been up 20:07 1 user
 
G
#10 ·
not water pump>> (???)

I don't think it's the water pump because there are no stains/leaks
around it, and the radiator remains full. Now I think it's the belts,
after all...
I'm gonna spray them down, and use castor oil from now on (thanks), and
make the run to work and back (20 miles each way) tonight, and call Pep
Boys (the local one is VERY GOOD) and get it in Saturday.
Last night all my turn signals stopped (and I live in copburbia); I've
been neglecting a burned out brake light bulb, and it might need a
flasher unit, etc.
It seems the lights are all dimmer than usual...man I hate cold weather
(25F now) Atlanta - but I guess I'm being a baby, 'cause I grew up in
New England, and it's a lot worse in many places!
> Thanks group! :+)


1986 300 c.i. 4.9 w/2 barrel motor a/c <not connected - no belt> 4
speed <actually 3 w/granny o.d. gear>in a
1981 F-100 longbed (pale white w/ugly factory stripes, 31" flat black
wheels, 2 gas tanks, selector stays on front tank - rear tank RUSTY!
This is one VERY tough truck, but it maxes out @ 70 mph (50 uphill)
> kundaliniratterdeletethis@yahoo.com
 
G
#11 ·
Re: Screeching back - and worse!

Regardless of what it looks like; replace the belt.(or tighten the alt belt
up a bit more, regardless of how tight you may think it is. If you have
never done it and can't tell up how long its been on then its too long. When
you first start a rig in the am during the cold months, the extra load on
the alternator plus a old or slightly loose belt will squeal. It quits when
the initial load slows down, the belt gets warm or whatever.


--
Stephen W. Hansen
ASE Certified Master Automobile Technician
ASE Undercar Specialist

http://autorepair.about.com/cs/troubleshooting/l/bl_obd_main.htm
http://www.troublecodes.net/technical/


"kundalini" <kundaliniratter@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1132231117.115556.160060@g43g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
> Okay, no flames please...
> It got cold, from 55F at night to 28F days (Atlanta, and the noise is
> back, and UNBEARABLE!
> I can't afford to leave this at a shop for 3 days, so I might call Pep
> Boys (they should have the parts), and ask if I can leave it there
> mornings, but don't want to get ripped off.
> The Auto Zone idea, and the Castor Oil idea are appreciated - Thanks!
> Where do ya live to use tractors?
> How much will it cost to fix a pulley bearing? I'd ask them, but
> they'll say that's the problem, even if it's something else...
> I KNOW it's not the water pump... thanks group,
>
>> kundaliniratterdeletethis@yahoo.com

>
 
G
#13 ·
THANKS for all the good ideas and help. Interesting stuff....now I
have to take it to PepBoys in 5 hours, and lets see if they're as good
as they have been with me.
Probably the belts, and if not, removing the belts 1 at a time can
narrow down the problem area...
I have LOTS of ?'s on this truck, so be back after some sleep :+)

> Thanks group! :+)
> kundaliniratterdeletethis@yahoo.com
 
G
#17 ·
Pep Boys tightened the belts and charged me (cough cough) about $16 in
2 hours...so they're FAST, HONEST, and COMPETENT
....sorry for not getting back here - not sleeping - my Focus got rear
ended, and I've been looking for a new car, calling tow trucks,
insurance companies, etc. etc.
I "went off" finally on a guy - we were screaming on the phone - ahhh I
guess at 53 I sorta don't like the question, "can you hold a moment?"


David M wrote:
> On Sat, 26 Nov 2005 19:16:15 -0500, Ken rearranged some electrons to form:
>
> > ok it's now the 26th...what was the solution?

>
> He's still sleeping
>
> --
> David M (dmacchiarolo)
> http://home.triad.rr.com/redsled
> T/S 53
> sled351 Linux 2.4.18-14 has been up 10 days 13:02
 
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