Pulley/belt squeel - Focaljet

**Ducman69** · 02-12-2002, 11:39 AM

Noticed at very low idle rpms, one of the pulleys/belts can start to have a slight highpitched squeel (not a scream quite yet but annoying enough).

I do have an UDP installed that does not have a harmonic dampener, however its been installed for many-many moons. [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img]

And the noise only occurs in a very narrow specific rpm window... so I ruled out a bearing problem or anything. Ideas? Fixes?

**Turtle** · 02-12-2002, 04:00 PM

I have this too!!! Sounds kinda like a belt slipping but much higher pitch? Which UDP do you have? I have the ford racing and it does it only when the car is at a slight load - like slighty uphill and at a specific rpm window like you said. My friend told me to use a crayon on it so the wax would make the belt swell a little but that didn't fix it. I've had my udp about 7 months and it just started doing it about 3 weeks ago. Any ideas?

**ModMan** · 02-12-2002, 05:56 PM

Duc, is this something new or something that's been around since the UDP install??

My guess is that at that particular rpm something in the system is being excited into resonance... changing the dynamics in the FEAD with the UDP may have brought this out - especially since you do not have the extra mass of the stock pulley (which is basically just a big hunk of dense rubber) to help damp the system.

Of course you are going to tell me that this is something new and then my theory goes right out of the window... [img]images/icons/blush.gif[/img]

**Turtle** · 02-13-2002, 01:30 AM

I just wanted to add that mine is throttle dependent. Only happens at partial throttle. If I punch the gas it will go away instantly.

**wonj** · 02-13-2002, 02:56 AM

i have a squealing noise as well...usually only apparent at low rpm, partial throttle. very specific range for it to squeal.

my car is completely stock...

**MichaelXi** · 02-13-2002, 03:04 AM

<blockquote>quote:<hr>Originally posted by Ducman69:

I do have an UDP installed that does not have a harmonic dampener<hr></blockquote>
???? [img]images/icons/confused.gif[/img] ????

**papasmurfZX3** · 02-13-2002, 07:25 AM

I have the three piece set and it makes no noise at all. I have a feeling that this is due to the fact that I have the stock belt and not the gator belt. that is the advantage to the 3 piece set.

**Ducman69** · 02-13-2002, 11:55 AM

Its the AFX UDP. The harmonic dampener is the rubber ring thats in the stock pulley. The 'harmonic resonance' that Modman was making reference to can be dampened. Same thing works with those rubberized anti-squeel shims on brake pads.

But I have put SEVERAL thousand miles (pulley was the first mod I got probably a year ago now) on this car with the UDP installed and the noise has -just now- appeared. So I was wondering if there is a quick fix. Should I just remove and reinstall the pulley? Spray? Tapping?

**ModMan** · 02-14-2002, 02:48 PM

Ok, I think I have a better/more informed answer for you now...

There was/is a known belt alignment problem with the Zetec FEAD. Apparently the studs on the bracket that the A/C compressor is mounted to could be slightly out of alignment. The symptoms are a belt "chirp" or "squeal" at low rpms, initially when the engine is cold. This condition will become more prevalent as the belt wears and loses some of its "grip" causing the belt to slip on the pulley...

The permanent fix is to replace the mounting studs. I will see if I can get you a part#...

Something you can try in the interim is to take your belt off and flip it around so that it is running in the opposite direction. This may help regain some adhesion for the short term. You can also just replace the belt...

How many miles do you have on your car??

**Ducman69** · 02-14-2002, 10:30 PM

You rock Modman! [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

Well the better question is how many miles on that belt... it is afterall a newer belt due to the UDP. [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img] Rough estimate here... I would have to say about 10,000 miles on that belt.

**noresull** · 02-14-2002, 10:55 PM

Just to let you know, I've heard of this, done the repair on a couple of different cars, and the car still had a noise. Just to let you know.

**sabasigh** · 01-07-2003, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by ModMan:
Ok, I think I have a better/more informed answer for you now...

There was/is a known belt alignment problem with the Zetec FEAD. Apparently the studs on the bracket that the A/C compressor is mounted to could be slightly out of alignment. The symptoms are a belt "chirp" or "squeal" at low rpms, initially when the engine is cold. This condition will become more prevalent as the belt wears and loses some of its "grip" causing the belt to slip on the pulley...

The permanent fix is to replace the mounting studs. I will see if I can get you a part#...

Something you can try in the interim is to take your belt off and flip it around so that it is running in the opposite direction. This may help regain some adhesion for the short term. You can also just replace the belt...

Is anyone else experiencing this? I've put a few thousand miles on my FC UDP set and here recently on cold morning starts, I get this chirping sound from what seems to be the water pump pulley. It happens basically only on cold starts and is really prevalent during idle and slight throttle. The noise disappears after it gets warmed up.

I noticed in a earlier thread that someone's water pump pulley was loose, so I'm gonna check that but this AC thing sounds exactly like my problem.

Also, I'm getting some noisy valvetrain noises on these cold morning starts. Goes away after the engine warms up. I exclusively run Synthetic 5w-30 except on the last oil change. 5000 miles on that Valvoline Durablend 10w-30 which is when I noticed the problem. How much damage is being done while the valvetrain is making this noise? The car has 67,000 miles.

Thanks...

**CasperSE+** · 01-07-2003, 11:58 AM

I had/have the same problem (AFX)

A new belt (kelly sprinfield brand, Autozone)cured it for a while (like 3 weeks). However, I then got a Gatorback belt, like 5 bux more, and it has lasted over 4 months. I had my A/C compressor replaced (under warrrenty) and that didnt help.

Brad

**derf** · 01-07-2003, 01:39 PM

I have had this problem very recently too, I was going in for a new belt next week. Stock UDP

**sabasigh** · 01-07-2003, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by derf:
I have had this problem very recently too, I was going in for a new belt next week. Stock UDP

Stock pulleys or Under Drive Pulleys?

**TRUenemy00** · 03-06-2003, 10:32 PM

^^bump^^

anyone find a solution?

I have the same exact thign described after recently puting an udp on

chirping noise on cold starts that goes away after a couple minutes

i just want to know what I can do to fix it

**Zoomer69** · 03-10-2003, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ModMan:
[QB]There was/is a known belt alignment problem with the Zetec FEAD. Apparently the studs on the bracket that the A/C compressor is mounted to could be slightly out of alignment. The symptoms are a belt "chirp" or "squeal" at low rpms, initially when the engine is cold. This condition will become more prevalent as the belt wears and loses some of its "grip" causing the belt to slip on the pulley...

The permanent fix is to replace the mounting studs. I will see if I can get you a part#...
QB]

Ford has a TSB on it - the statement I got from Jackson Ford today reads "ordered belt, pulley, and bolts per SSM 16146".

I didn't notice the problem until about 32K miles or so (I'm at 35K now). Mine is a 2002 - so apparently this issue can happen to newer Focus models too.

I wonder if installing a UDP aggravates this issue?

**0-60 Focus** · 03-11-2003, 12:07 AM

The same thing happend to my focus! only a little at first. Then it got worse and worse. i tried waxing them down. i even tried soap! it would work for a while but began to be an every day routine... so i took it in to ford. they said it was my water pump and replaced it. now she purrs! Hope that helps

**Donald** · 03-11-2003, 12:41 AM

i found that when the car get's anykind of undercarriage spray or water on the belts.. that it makes the squealing noise.. but as soon as punch the gas, the sound is gone...

no problems so far

02-12-2002, 11:39 AM	#1
Ducman69 I pretend to know everything. Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: van by the river Posts: 18,749	Pulley/belt squeel Noticed at very low idle rpms, one of the pulleys/belts can start to have a slight highpitched squeel (not a scream quite yet but annoying enough). I do have an UDP installed that does not have a harmonic dampener, however its been installed for many-many moons. [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img] And the noise only occurs in a very narrow specific rpm window... so I ruled out a bearing problem or anything. Ideas? Fixes?

02-12-2002, 04:00 PM	#2
Turtle TEAM Member Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Willow Grove, PA Posts: 159	Re: Pulley/belt squeel I have this too!!! Sounds kinda like a belt slipping but much higher pitch? Which UDP do you have? I have the ford racing and it does it only when the car is at a slight load - like slighty uphill and at a specific rpm window like you said. My friend told me to use a crayon on it so the wax would make the belt swell a little but that didn't fix it. I've had my udp about 7 months and it just started doing it about 3 weeks ago. Any ideas?

02-12-2002, 05:56 PM	#3
ModMan TEAM Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Whitmore Lake, MI USA Posts: 132	Re: Pulley/belt squeel Duc, is this something new or something that's been around since the UDP install?? My guess is that at that particular rpm something in the system is being excited into resonance... changing the dynamics in the FEAD with the UDP may have brought this out - especially since you do not have the extra mass of the stock pulley (which is basically just a big hunk of dense rubber) to help damp the system. Of course you are going to tell me that this is something new and then my theory goes right out of the window... [img]images/icons/blush.gif[/img]

02-13-2002, 01:30 AM	#4
Turtle TEAM Member Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Willow Grove, PA Posts: 159	Re: Pulley/belt squeel I just wanted to add that mine is throttle dependent. Only happens at partial throttle. If I punch the gas it will go away instantly.

02-13-2002, 02:56 AM	#5
wonj TEAM Member Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Ypsilanti, MI Posts: 842	Re: Pulley/belt squeel i have a squealing noise as well...usually only apparent at low rpm, partial throttle. very specific range for it to squeal. my car is completely stock...

02-13-2002, 03:04 AM	#6
MichaelXi [FJ] Addict Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Venus Via Knoxville, TN Posts: 24,263	Re: Pulley/belt squeel <blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Ducman69: I do have an UDP installed that does not have a harmonic dampener<hr></blockquote> ???? [img]images/icons/confused.gif[/img] ????

02-13-2002, 07:25 AM	#7
papasmurfZX3 Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Chester County Posts: 1,592	Re: Pulley/belt squeel I have the three piece set and it makes no noise at all. I have a feeling that this is due to the fact that I have the stock belt and not the gator belt. that is the advantage to the 3 piece set.

02-13-2002, 11:55 AM	#8
Ducman69 I pretend to know everything. Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: van by the river Posts: 18,749	Re: Pulley/belt squeel Its the AFX UDP. The harmonic dampener is the rubber ring thats in the stock pulley. The 'harmonic resonance' that Modman was making reference to can be dampened. Same thing works with those rubberized anti-squeel shims on brake pads. But I have put SEVERAL thousand miles (pulley was the first mod I got probably a year ago now) on this car with the UDP installed and the noise has -just now- appeared. So I was wondering if there is a quick fix. Should I just remove and reinstall the pulley? Spray? Tapping?

02-14-2002, 02:48 PM	#9
ModMan TEAM Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Whitmore Lake, MI USA Posts: 132	Re: Pulley/belt squeel Ok, I think I have a better/more informed answer for you now... There was/is a known belt alignment problem with the Zetec FEAD. Apparently the studs on the bracket that the A/C compressor is mounted to could be slightly out of alignment. The symptoms are a belt "chirp" or "squeal" at low rpms, initially when the engine is cold. This condition will become more prevalent as the belt wears and loses some of its "grip" causing the belt to slip on the pulley... The permanent fix is to replace the mounting studs. I will see if I can get you a part#... Something you can try in the interim is to take your belt off and flip it around so that it is running in the opposite direction. This may help regain some adhesion for the short term. You can also just replace the belt... How many miles do you have on your car??

02-14-2002, 10:30 PM	#10
Ducman69 I pretend to know everything. Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: van by the river Posts: 18,749	Re: Pulley/belt squeel You rock Modman! [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img] Well the better question is how many miles on that belt... it is afterall a newer belt due to the UDP. [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img] Rough estimate here... I would have to say about 10,000 miles on that belt.

02-14-2002, 10:55 PM	#11
noresull [FJ] Specialist Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Isanti, Southern Canada, MN USA Posts: 5,195	Re: Pulley/belt squeel Just to let you know, I've heard of this, done the repair on a couple of different cars, and the car still had a noise. Just to let you know.

01-07-2003, 11:58 AM	#13
CasperSE+ Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Mesa, AZ Posts: 1,587	Re: Pulley/belt squeel I had/have the same problem (AFX) A new belt (kelly sprinfield brand, Autozone)cured it for a while (like 3 weeks). However, I then got a Gatorback belt, like 5 bux more, and it has lasted over 4 months. I had my A/C compressor replaced (under warrrenty) and that didnt help. Brad

01-07-2003, 01:39 PM	#14
derf Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Hightstown, NJ, USA Posts: 3,664	Re: Pulley/belt squeel I have had this problem very recently too, I was going in for a new belt next week. Stock UDP

03-06-2003, 10:32 PM	#16
TRUenemy00 [FJ] Specialist Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 5,191	Re: Pulley/belt squeel ^^bump^^ anyone find a solution? I have the same exact thign described after recently puting an udp on chirping noise on cold starts that goes away after a couple minutes i just want to know what I can do to fix it

03-11-2003, 12:07 AM	#18
0-60 Focus Rookie Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Santa Fe, New Mexico Posts: 20	Re: Pulley/belt squeel The same thing happend to my focus! only a little at first. Then it got worse and worse. i tried waxing them down. i even tried soap! it would work for a while but began to be an every day routine... so i took it in to ford. they said it was my water pump and replaced it. now she purrs! Hope that helps

03-11-2003, 12:41 AM	#19
Donald TEAM Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Tampa/Gainesville Florida Posts: 508	Re: Pulley/belt squeel i found that when the car get's anykind of undercarriage spray or water on the belts.. that it makes the squealing noise.. but as soon as punch the gas, the sound is gone... no problems so far

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