Tensioner Squeek - 2003-04 Mach 1 Registry Owners Club

StangIT · 12-18-2006, 04:25 PM

This is driving me CrAzY!!!

Has anyone had this happen on their mach?
I've used White Lithium Grease, which was too tacky.
I've used Silicone Grease, which works... but the dang chirp comes back!
I'm over 80% sure that it's the tensioner pulley, but could be wrong.
The sound goes away for a little while; when I grease it up.

What do i need to do to get this to stop!?

o3BlueMach1 · 12-18-2006, 07:00 PM

replace the tensioner, simple as that...

manny · 12-18-2006, 07:21 PM

It sounds like the bearing is gone. You will have to replace the tensioner. I had the same thing happen to an idler pulley on my supercharged 98 GT. The bearings are sealed, so there is no other way around replacement.

StangIT · 12-18-2006, 07:34 PM

yeah, that's what i figured... where's the best place to pick one up?

o3BlueMach1 · 12-19-2006, 01:05 AM

ford dealer, i think around 40-50 bucks...

Hmbre97 · 12-19-2006, 03:00 PM

Rodney, if you can put up with the squeak for another couple weeks, you can have the tensioner off my car for $10.

wigsite · 12-19-2006, 04:28 PM

It may be just the belt. I replaced the belt on my taurus last year and then the car developed the same annoying squeak that you describe again this year. i would have sworn it was tensioner, water pump etc.. it turns out a new belt solved the problem. you may try that before messing with tensioners and stuff

o3BlueMach1 · 12-19-2006, 04:51 PM

well if its a noise thats happening all the time then you can normally figure it out by pulling off the belt and spinning the tensioner pulley and seeing if it makes a noise, if it does then theres your problem.

heres a trick if the noise is not constant, with the engine running while making the noise, pour some water onto the belt, if the noise changes or goes away, its normally the belt thats bad.

Black4592 · 12-19-2006, 06:42 PM

Replace tensioner and belt. It looks like all of a 10 minute job on these 4.6's.. Well maybe 15 for you guys becasue you have the scoop ducting to deal with

I have not done one yet so I cant offer any tips other than it looks easy!

Good luck.

C-dub · 12-19-2006, 06:49 PM

i know my belt makes noise now, do to a ... ... bit of coolant that got on it when a hose fell off. its on my things to do list before spring, so it'll wait until march

YellowMenace · 12-19-2006, 09:34 PM

I had the same thing. I thought it was the belt so I tried spraying some belt dressing to check it. The squeak stayed, but then I had nasty gunk all over the front of the engine when I eventually changed the tensioner. I also put on a gatorback belt when I did it. I don't think those will slip ever.

BTW, the tensioner wouldn't make noise if spun by hand. And sometimes the noise would go away.

jdoug · 11-22-2007, 12:44 PM

I think I'm having the same problem-- I originally thought it was the A/C compressor bearing, but now I believe it's the tensioner pulley. I sprayed some lube on it and it stopped for a few minutes.

Is removing the tensioner arm as easy as it looks? Seems like it's just one bolt after you slip the belt off.

YellowMenace · 11-22-2007, 01:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdoug

Is removing the tensioner arm as easy as it looks? Seems like it's just one bolt after you slip the belt off.

That would be it. Just note how the other one was positioned and put the bolt back in.

Just make sure you have plenty of room to release spring tension when you take off the belt so you don't mash your fingers.

jdoug · 11-22-2007, 05:29 PM

Thanks-- I actually have the belt off already, but I wasn't sure if there was still some spring tension on the arm. I didn't want the arm to go flying when I loosened that bolt.

03SHKR · 11-23-2007, 04:34 PM

I had a squeek and I thought it was the tensioner, too. I took it to a shop and they agreed. But, it turned out to be the alternator.

And the new alternator stopped working after a couple days later. So, I had one that works with a bad bearing and one with a good bearing that didn't work.

jdoug · 11-23-2007, 07:12 PM

Mine did turn out to be the tensioner pulley. I got a new one from Advance Auto Parts today and now all's quiet. :THUMBSUP:

I tried the Ford stealership first, but they said I couldn't buy just the pulley, that I had to buy the whole tensioner arm for like $58. Buttholes.

12-18-2006, 04:25 PM	#1
StangIT I smell burning rubber! Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 920	Tensioner Squeek This is driving me CrAzY!!! Has anyone had this happen on their mach? I've used White Lithium Grease, which was too tacky. I've used Silicone Grease, which works... but the dang chirp comes back! I'm over 80% sure that it's the tensioner pulley, but could be wrong. The sound goes away for a little while; when I grease it up. What do i need to do to get this to stop!?

12-18-2006, 07:00 PM	#2
o3BlueMach1 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Fairfield, CA Posts: 510	Re: Tensioner Squeek replace the tensioner, simple as that... __________________ 2003 Azure Blue Mach 1 w/ IUP http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0_zD6QnuMPE Joined the 12 Second Club on 5-15-08! JLT RAI, PHP Spacer Magnaflow Catback, SLP X-Pipe MGW Shifter, Centerforce Dual Friction, Fidanza Flywheel, Fiores Quadrant and Adjuster Nitto 315/35/17 DR's, 10th Ann. Cobra Wheels FRPP 4.10's, Strange 31 Spline Axles, Auburn ECTED Carrier SCT XCal2, Dyno Tune from AED. 302whp,326wtq Mods Coming Soon: Thinking about an Eaton Swap...

12-18-2006, 07:21 PM	#3
manny Registered User Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: kansas city, ks. Posts: 1,123	Re: Tensioner Squeek It sounds like the bearing is gone. You will have to replace the tensioner. I had the same thing happen to an idler pulley on my supercharged 98 GT. The bearings are sealed, so there is no other way around replacement. __________________ 04 Mach1 5-spd, NOS (100 shot), goes 11.7's in the 1/4

12-18-2006, 07:34 PM	#4
StangIT I smell burning rubber! Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 920	Re: Tensioner Squeek yeah, that's what i figured... where's the best place to pick one up?

12-19-2006, 01:05 AM	#5
o3BlueMach1 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Fairfield, CA Posts: 510	Re: Tensioner Squeek ford dealer, i think around 40-50 bucks... __________________ 2003 Azure Blue Mach 1 w/ IUP http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0_zD6QnuMPE Joined the 12 Second Club on 5-15-08! JLT RAI, PHP Spacer Magnaflow Catback, SLP X-Pipe MGW Shifter, Centerforce Dual Friction, Fidanza Flywheel, Fiores Quadrant and Adjuster Nitto 315/35/17 DR's, 10th Ann. Cobra Wheels FRPP 4.10's, Strange 31 Spline Axles, Auburn ECTED Carrier SCT XCal2, Dyno Tune from AED. 302whp,326wtq Mods Coming Soon: Thinking about an Eaton Swap...

12-19-2006, 03:00 PM	#6
Hmbre97 Eaton swapped User Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 771	Re: Tensioner Squeek Rodney, if you can put up with the squeak for another couple weeks, you can have the tensioner off my car for $10. __________________ -Herb- 03 Torch Red Mach 1

12-19-2006, 04:28 PM	#7
wigsite Registered User Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Delaware, Ohio Posts: 1,504	Re: Tensioner Squeek It may be just the belt. I replaced the belt on my taurus last year and then the car developed the same annoying squeak that you describe again this year. i would have sworn it was tensioner, water pump etc.. it turns out a new belt solved the problem. you may try that before messing with tensioners and stuff __________________ Borla catback BBK LT's/ catted mid JLT RAI..4.10..Moser 28 spline..UPR u/l Dyno tuned by CRT Performance Pro 5.0 Power Tower shifter best 1/4 12.62 @ 108.05 mph 313 RWHP..330 TQ

12-19-2006, 04:51 PM	#8
o3BlueMach1 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Fairfield, CA Posts: 510	Re: Tensioner Squeek well if its a noise thats happening all the time then you can normally figure it out by pulling off the belt and spinning the tensioner pulley and seeing if it makes a noise, if it does then theres your problem. heres a trick if the noise is not constant, with the engine running while making the noise, pour some water onto the belt, if the noise changes or goes away, its normally the belt thats bad. __________________ 2003 Azure Blue Mach 1 w/ IUP http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0_zD6QnuMPE Joined the 12 Second Club on 5-15-08! JLT RAI, PHP Spacer Magnaflow Catback, SLP X-Pipe MGW Shifter, Centerforce Dual Friction, Fidanza Flywheel, Fiores Quadrant and Adjuster Nitto 315/35/17 DR's, 10th Ann. Cobra Wheels FRPP 4.10's, Strange 31 Spline Axles, Auburn ECTED Carrier SCT XCal2, Dyno Tune from AED. 302whp,326wtq Mods Coming Soon: Thinking about an Eaton Swap...

12-19-2006, 06:42 PM	#9
Black4592 Bullitt Head Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Havertown Pa Posts: 154	Re: Tensioner Squeek Replace tensioner and belt. It looks like all of a 10 minute job on these 4.6's.. Well maybe 15 for you guys becasue you have the scoop ducting to deal with I have not done one yet so I cant offer any tips other than it looks easy! Good luck. __________________ Black 01 Bullitt Mach grille delete & chin spoiler Am I one of you now? 17X9/10.5 bullitts. My mustang site

12-19-2006, 06:49 PM	#10
C-dub Registered User Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Fort Bragg. NC Posts: 1,558	Re: Tensioner Squeek i know my belt makes noise now, do to a ... ... bit of coolant that got on it when a hose fell off. its on my things to do list before spring, so it'll wait until march __________________ what is it about modding my mach that makes me want to "Jimmy Dean" it into a tanker truck filled with gasoline at 150 mph???

12-19-2006, 09:34 PM	#11
YellowMenace Registered User Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Schertz, TX Posts: 2,639	Re: Tensioner Squeek I had the same thing. I thought it was the belt so I tried spraying some belt dressing to check it. The squeak stayed, but then I had nasty gunk all over the front of the engine when I eventually changed the tensioner. I also put on a gatorback belt when I did it. I don't think those will slip ever. BTW, the tensioner wouldn't make noise if spun by hand. And sometimes the noise would go away. __________________ Zinc yellow NMRA Factory Stock configuration Coyote 5.0 engine, FRPP Control Pack and a bunch of other stuff. Best ET in this configuration 10.693@123

11-22-2007, 12:44 PM	#12
jdoug Regular Guy Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: SoFla Posts: 329	Re: Tensioner Squeek I think I'm having the same problem-- I originally thought it was the A/C compressor bearing, but now I believe it's the tensioner pulley. I sprayed some lube on it and it stopped for a few minutes. Is removing the tensioner arm as easy as it looks? Seems like it's just one bolt after you slip the belt off. __________________ J Doug

11-22-2007, 05:29 PM	#14
jdoug Regular Guy Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: SoFla Posts: 329	Re: Tensioner Squeek Thanks-- I actually have the belt off already, but I wasn't sure if there was still some spring tension on the arm. I didn't want the arm to go flying when I loosened that bolt. __________________ J Doug

11-23-2007, 04:34 PM	#15
03SHKR used to be BrianWannaMach Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 1,468	Re: Tensioner Squeek I had a squeek and I thought it was the tensioner, too. I took it to a shop and they agreed. But, it turned out to be the alternator. And the new alternator stopped working after a couple days later. So, I had one that works with a bad bearing and one with a good bearing that didn't work. __________________ Brian 03 DSG Mach 1, 5-Spd, w/IUP VIN 387483, Mustang Dyno: 321 rwhp/326 rwtq; 371 rwhp/466 rwtq on 100 shot - old numbers, new numbers pending - See pics of my first 86 SVO - I have two - See pics of my 67 Mustang Fastback w/ 427 Small Block - See pics of my 2003 Mach 1 Web Page, needs update for new motor, etc. - See pics of my wife’s 06 Mustang

11-23-2007, 07:12 PM	#16
jdoug Regular Guy Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: SoFla Posts: 329	Re: Tensioner Squeek Mine did turn out to be the tensioner pulley. I got a new one from Advance Auto Parts today and now all's quiet. :THUMBSUP: I tried the Ford stealership first, but they said I couldn't buy just the pulley, that I had to buy the whole tensioner arm for like $58. Buttholes. __________________ J Doug

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)