tinigunner11

iTrader: (1)

I know that there are thousands of threads about engine noises, squeaks, rattles, clanks, ect, and I've searched for a few months now but I'm stumped. Nobody else's truck sounds like the car from the Jetson's. I posted a video above. My truck is a 97 sr5, has 251,500 miles on it and is daily driven. The problem showed up bout 2000 miles ago. It's is very intermediate, sometimes its silent and sounds normal, sometimes it's barely audible and usually after driving long hours it's loud like in the video. After a few searches I've narrowed it to belts or pulleys, the belts are relatively new so that leaves the pulleys. And the sound seems to be coming front the lower center of the engine bay. Before I start throwing parts into the truck I figured I'd ask on here. Can anyone help? Sorry in advance if I'm just a noob and this is a dumb post.

Malcolm99

What type of belts did you put on, did you tension and re tension the belts correctly, after a bit of run time belts break in. The lower AC tensioner pulley/bearing is the cheapest, weakest, easiest and exposed to the elements, so I'd throw money at it first after decent belts if I where to guess.

tinigunner11

iTrader: (1)

The were replaced by the PO with gates belts, but I'll find the receipt to make sure. But thanks for the reply I'll go check to see if it has started to glaze over. If it has I'll replace the belt and post with results.

Malcolm99

Gates makes great hydraulic hoses and fittings but they tend to have loud belts for whatever reason, but correct tension after break in minimizes it, they last but are louder the OEM. There are 3 belts and this is a case where the originals work the best.

vasinvictor

iTrader: (3)

You have a bad bearing on one of the tensioners or pulleys. Your belts are fine. Get a mechanic stethescope at harbor freight and start touching stuff.

tinigunner11

iTrader: (1)

Well everyone, sorry to update this thread so late, I was finishing school But unfortunately I never found the solution for the sound. As the weather got warmer the sound quit. So with it being May I just stopped searching and am focusing on other problems. Thanks for tuning in and being willing to contribute!