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Serp belt vs tensioner or other?

Discussion in '4th Gen 4Runners (2003-2009)' started by swimupstream, Oct 15, 2018.

  1. Oct 15, 2018 at 2:55 PM
    #1
    swimupstream

    swimupstream [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 15, 2018
    Member:
    #7470
    Messages:
    9
    Vehicle:
    05 SR5 4WD 4.0
    I've followed a few of the threads and sought some help a few months ago, no luck. Figured I'd try a new thread. smile_624f57ece2d0822045184603dc572456ca912f4f.gif

    2005 V6 4WD SR5
    Purchased 5y ago at 150k, now at 201k

    Changed my serp (3y old) belt after typical belt squealing and whining (mostly mornings, cold, wet, but not always and sometimes when warm and running), and the noise went away for a couple months. After a while noise started returning and some groaning and some other noises crept in over time.
    • Eventually replaced the Idler 1 (very bottom). Groaning immediately stopped, but squeal was still there.
    • Replaced the belt (change #2). Squealing went away.

    Within a month or two squealing started again and has progressively gotten worse.
    • Tensioner pulley felt a little (really getting picky) rough spinning. Replaced the tensioner bearing. It did feel much better spinning (prob expected at 200k!) but ZERO change to the noise.

    Thoughts? Tensioner? Alignment? Another pulley/bearing? Or just bad luck on belts?

    If it's simply the belts, which I'm about to do but hate to waste my money, why have I gone through three belts and 24 months? (Would be sooner but I just keep driving around with the noise!)

    I don't want the tensioner answer but... before I do it I guess I just want some good 4R fieldbase opinions. Hate to do that and nothing changes either.


    Cheers.



    (I know there are a couple of other threads that echo much what I'm talking about here and there, but nothing definitive, and most are a bit old. So feel free if I need to redirect to another thread, but I can't post new yet.)
     
  2. Feb 11, 2019 at 11:12 AM
    #2
    FFloresjr775

    FFloresjr775 New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 2, 2018
    Member:
    #5418
    Messages:
    12
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2005 4Runner
    I just replaced all of the pulleys and tensioner pulley and the squealing stopped .What I did was removed the battery to free some space for the upper and tensioner pulley .
     

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