Screeching that wakes the neighborhood

02 Tundra, 120K. Just started screeching.... on startup it either screams super loud and appears that the fan stops spinning...? Or it will start without doing that and just Squeak or chirp loud enough to be bothersome. From what I’ve been researching it’s either going to be and idle Tensioner Or a fan clutch replacement....or.... possibly any of the pulleys on the front of the engine... Am I on the right track? I’m going to try and repair this myself I’m somewhat competent with a wrench .. I need some help and support before I start this...

 

Been trying to upload a video of it in action... but it’s not accepting my file....

 

does it go away once you start driving?

 

No..... it chirps and squeaks fairy consistently while driving.... it will quiet down occasionally at higher speeds

 

Sorry, it's a little unclear. Did you see the fan stop spinning? Yes, it could be belt tension. I could see the fan clutch no-spin situation , but haven't see that in person. I've had and heard the alternator (pulley bearing) do the same thing. This is pretty easy too hear with your head close to hit and some light throttle. Stay away from the fan and moving belts though.

Let's see the video....

 

Worn serpentine belt could cause it also.

 

Take the serp belt off and spin the pulleys individually to see which one has a bad bearing.

 

My idler was a bit wonky when I replaced my belt, so ordered one and slapped it in the next weekend. I didn’t have screeching sounds yet though

 

That is the best/easiest way.

I had an intermittent cold squeak so I changed the belt and checked all the pulleys. Noise still persisted but always went away once it got warm so I just left it alone. It wasn't till I had my timing belt and water pump replaced that my mechanic noted that one of the timing belt idler or tensioner bolts (can't remember which one) was almost seized on and actually broke when he tried to remove it. He was able to extract it and replace it but I am fairly certain which ever pulley was riding on that bolt was the culprit.

 

IIRC you have to upload the video to youtube or some other source, and then you can just copy and paste the URL.

 

Ok great .... good stuff..... when I turn the ignition 2 out of 3 times it will scream loudly and I notice the fan is NOT spinning, engine is running.... sounds like HELL and it worries me that I’m ruining something... so I don’t let it go to long...( I’ll attempt a video upload soon)... it does that a couple times and then it starts normally with only a squeaking that’s loud enough to hear from the sidewalk as you drive down the road. The sound disappears intermittently while driving, usually while At higher speeds or accelerating but the squeaking/ chirping never completely goes away..... I will start work on it in a few days when the paycheck comes and try all the pulleys like you guys have said. Question......? Can I drive it until then? Or an I just asking for a break down with possibly more damage and a tow home?

 

I wouldn't drive it unless you have to to get to work or something. I don't know about our trucks but typically the fan won't engage unless the A/C is on or the engine is at operating temp and the fan is needed. You could spray some WD40 on the center of the pulleys (not the outside rim) where the bearings are and see if that takes the squeal away.

 

Pulley bearing(s) probs. Strategic squirts with Penetration Oil one at a time will help you eliminate the exact one making the noise. Process of elimination.

 

As @PCJ suggested, the serpentine belt itself makes a heck of a squeal when it’s worn.

 

Very nice..... you guys were right... THANK YOU.... took off belt and the tensioner is shot and idler pully spins for hours... lol. Here’s my new problem....... can’t get the fan/clutch off... I’m pulling it off so I can have some room to replace those parts I got the four bolts off but however I bang or pry its stuck like Chuck.......

 

You don’t have to remove that to do the job, but you do need to remove the passenger timing cover and another smaller cover near the tensioner. It’s tight like a tiger in there for sure but not fan removal needed

 

Oh boy I got some bad advice.... I’m gonna put the nuts right back on.... lol. After rounding off 2 of them and spending hours figuring it out... oh well... live and learn.... so now.... I’ve got the idler pulley off.... simple.... any worries with pulling off those covers? Cause I’m doing the Tensioner next

 

And btw.... how do you get the fan off?

 

I’ve never removed the fan, I’m sure you need a puller? But the covers aren’t to bad, they interlock into each other or into the tensioner if I remember, just be gentle taking them out and re installing them. Probably removing your air cleaner tube to the throttle body will give you some more nuckle busting room

 

Might be too late, but hopefully this is helpful.


https://youtu.be/ck_WNegdSI4

 

Job completed... runs great and no more squealing.... in order to do that job...( replace tensioner and idler pulley ) .... I had to drop power steering pump, alternator, a couple vacuum hoses, one hose from PS pump, timing belt cover, timing belt lower dust cover, radiator shroud, and the intake air thing... lol. ?.. it took me 2 days and $190.00. In parts.... luv it.... thanks for the help and YouTube rocks....

 

Nice. Way to stick with it and thanks for the feedback. I think I’ll do what you did on the next timing belt service. Knock it all out at one time.