If a new belt doesn't make this noise go away, what will?

Dear Car Talk | Dec 01, 1992
Dear Tom and Ray:
Hank
TOM: Belts can make noise if they're too loose, too tight, or misaligned. And if a new belt didn't fix it, Hank, my guess is that it's probably a misaligned belt tensioner pulley. The pulley on the tensioner isn't quite in line with the others, and what you're hearing is the rubber belt rubbing against the side of that steel pulley.
RAY: When you pour water on it, the water is acting as a lubricant, and is allowing the rubber to slide along the steel more easily, kind of like how your shoe slides along the sidewalk more easily after you step in...uh...wet leaves. And that's what makes the noise subside.
TOM: So you have two choices, Hank. You can replace the belt tensioner pulley assembly and the idler support bracket. Your Ford dealer should have a Technical Service Bulletin on this problem, and can tell you or your mechanic exactly which parts are needed.
RAY: Or, you can change your taste in music and go for something that will drown out this belt noise. Try something like heavy metal.
Hank
TOM: Belts can make noise if they're too loose, too tight, or misaligned. And if a new belt didn't fix it, Hank, my guess is that it's probably a misaligned belt tensioner pulley. The pulley on the tensioner isn't quite in line with the others, and what you're hearing is the rubber belt rubbing against the side of that steel pulley.
RAY: When you pour water on it, the water is acting as a lubricant, and is allowing the rubber to slide along the steel more easily, kind of like how your shoe slides along the sidewalk more easily after you step in...uh...wet leaves. And that's what makes the noise subside.
TOM: So you have two choices, Hank. You can replace the belt tensioner pulley assembly and the idler support bracket. Your Ford dealer should have a Technical Service Bulletin on this problem, and can tell you or your mechanic exactly which parts are needed.
RAY: Or, you can change your taste in music and go for something that will drown out this belt noise. Try something like heavy metal.
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