My Freestar has 83,000 miles on it and has developed a weird issue. It started about a week ago making a loud squealing sound from the pulley area of the engine when the car was started. As the car got warm, the sound would go away. I decided to replace the serpentine belt, thinking that might be the problem, but the problem has continued.

Since I replaced the belt, the problem has gotten worse. It now squeals almost all the time. While squealing the RPM's jump around and if the van is left idling, it will even just cut off. I had the alternator tested and it is fine. The Advanced Auto guy that tested the alternator, looked at the pulleys as it ran and said it looked like the belt was slipping, which could indicate a bad tensioner pulley.

Anyone on here think that could be the problem? If so, how hard is this to change? I've always done my own work on cars, so I have no doubt I could do it, obviously though it won't be easy.

 

I replaced both the idler pully and the tensioner on my 04 after the bearings started to fail on the tensioner (squeeling). These are basically easy to replace. The idler pully is a straight forward unbolt and bolt up. The tensioner has to be locked back into the tensioned position to remove the bolt behind the tensioners pully (You'll see this with the new one. Remove the R/F tire to gain access thru the wheel well to get the others (3 bolts in all for the tensioner).

 

I have had the same problem with the noise and engine problems. I found by dumb luck the camshaft synchronizes was making the noise. I removed the sensor and filled it up with 3-in-one oil the noise went away for about 3 months then I would do it again. I am looking into replacing the whole unit.

 

Took it to a friend of mine and found out that this is the problem. He sprayed some lube in it which solved the problem for now. He indicated to me that it's not an easy fix because there isn't enough room under the hood to pull the while thing out. Anyone have any experience changing one of these?

 

I don't want to do it. I am going to have the ford dealer do it next month.