Community Forums

ISLAPP · 10-01-2004, 06:08 AM

Fan belt replaced once for squealing right after I got it this year. Replaced again two months later for squealing. This time they also replaced the belt tensioner. Started squealing or chirping again the other week. This time Ford dealer called hotline and was told to put on smaller or shorter belt. They couldnt find a Ford belt replacement that would work. Ended up with a AC Delco part number replacement. This is just a guess, but I am thinking that maybe the original fan belts on the '02 chassis(and maybe other years also) left very little tolerances for alignment of belt tensioners and the other pulleys, so that if one thing was just a tad off of specs, the belt would glaze up and start making noise shortly after installing.
So just FYI, if yours seems to be that way, you might need to go to a shorter belt.
Mike

ISLAPP · 10-01-2004, 06:08 AM

Fan belt replaced once for squealing right after I got it this year. Replaced again two months later for squealing. This time they also replaced the belt tensioner. Started squealing or chirping again the other week. This time Ford dealer called hotline and was told to put on smaller or shorter belt. They couldnt find a Ford belt replacement that would work. Ended up with a AC Delco part number replacement. This is just a guess, but I am thinking that maybe the original fan belts on the '02 chassis(and maybe other years also) left very little tolerances for alignment of belt tensioners and the other pulleys, so that if one thing was just a tad off of specs, the belt would glaze up and start making noise shortly after installing.
So just FYI, if yours seems to be that way, you might need to go to a shorter belt.
Mike

Toad Puller · 11-22-2004, 05:30 AM

I think ford had a tsb on idler pullys going out at low mileage on 02s.

ISLAPP · 11-22-2004, 05:47 AM

That might be true about the pulley. What I thought was strange though was the so called need to change size of belt. My thinking was there is only one part number that should be used to replace an existing part. Now they are saying that "maybe" you should try another part. Anyways, I havent had this new sized belt on long enough to see if that does the trick, but will let you guys know in spring if this belt seemed to do the trick.
Mike

Fyrflie · 11-24-2004, 03:41 PM

I had a 1993 Ford 7.3L diesel that had the belt squeel described above. They went throught the same routine with belt replacement. Then they replaced the tensioner assembly a total of three times and attempted to align the pulleys and it still squeeled. The TSB that finally came out suggested a shorter belt to fix the problem.
I finally fixed the problem myself with a shorter Goodyear Gator Belt.
The problem stems from a poorly designed tensioner that does not provide enough tension to do the job.
Its comforting to know that FORD still can't fix a problem thats been around since 1993.

Ron and Marsha · 03-28-2006, 10:59 AM

We just returned from a weekend trip, 400 total miles, and during the trip I noticed a noisy belt. Mileage is under 30,000 miles and I would not think the belt could be bad.
Can someone help with a Ford web site to check if there was some sort of problem with pulleys or idler and what needs to be done to solve the problem?
Is changing out the belt something an average Joe can do w/o getting into problems? Not trying to take away business from local dealership but if it is a do-it-yourself matter, I have the time and tools.
Thanks in advance.

Ned · 04-17-2006, 05:41 AM

I went thru this Chinese Fire Drill SEVEN TIMES!!

The belt gets replaced, but within 500 miles or so, it has stretched a little and is broken in...then it starts to squeal again.

They have to follow the TSB exactly...get the TSB and make sure the Part Numbers for the pully, tensioner and belt are exactly what the TSB calls out.

Each time, the dealer was replacing one or two components...sometimes undoing something that was correct, but never getting the entire combination right all at once, until I looked very closely at the Part Numbers from the service orders and figured out what the mechanic was doing. This was all warranty work for me on the '99 V-10 chassis.

prsmith · 04-17-2006, 02:27 PM

I have had 5 belts and two tensionners installed and the chirping is back again. I have a 2001 F53 chassis. Does anyone have the numer of the TSB and know where I can find a copy of it or send me a copy of it>

Thanks

Preston (prsmith@ns.sympatico.ca)

Ned · 04-17-2006, 05:15 PM

Special Service Bulletin (SSB or SSM??): #13016

Revised Idler Assembly #:SPO F81Z 8678DA

Revised Belt #: FMC XC3Z 8620AA (or AB)

The first couple of belts were Goodyear brand. The next couple of belts were suffixed AA. The last one was suffixed AB. I was told it was an update to the AA.

NOTE: The service bulletin or what ever it was called was applicable to my '99 V-10 20,500# chassis. I don't know what later years it may have applied to.

If the squealing stops after the belt gets replaced, but then returns after 400 to 600 miles....I'd bet the belt and/or the idler assembly are not the correct revised parts. It takes a belt a few hundred miles to stretch. Remember the old V-belts...you had to retighten them after a few hundred miles. With Serpentine belts, the idler assembly does this automatically.

My squealing was not too noticable at idle...it was most pronounced at 2600 RPM.

Ned · 04-17-2006, 05:22 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by prsmith:
I have had 5 belts and two tensionners installed and the chirping is back again.
Thanks
Preston </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

I'd say welcome to IRV2, but you've been here for awhile, just reeeeally quiet.

DFord · 05-31-2006, 11:03 AM

> Ford F-53 fanbelt

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">by MoRambler: The Ford P/N XC3E-8620-AB is 110.118" effective length. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Above is a link to a message posted at RV.net by MoRambler (he works in Dayco's engineering dept) who says the original equipment belt on the F-53 is made by Dayco Belts and carries their part # 5081103. It is their "POLYCOG" premium notched belt that runs cooler similar to the Goodyear "Gatorback". In these very hot and heavy duty applications don't accept a non-notched belt.

I went thur the same problems with my Aerostar, the best belt NAPA had only lasted a month before the squeaking and squalling started. I replaced 3 of them with a Goodyear Gatorback belt 5 years ago and never had any problems with it - I think it gave better service.