Weird noise. I hate those

[Cr_Racer]

So i started the truck and thise sqreeching/grinding noise is comeing from the motor and its not like a loose belt noise the only way i can best describe it as is like a chalk board! and it sound like its coming from either the alternator or a little behind it but it late at night so ill have to check in the morning. but n e ideas??? it could be a belt but ive never heard a belt of this noise so ne uneducated or educated geuss will work better than where im at! thanks dave!

[zig80toy]

I know you said its not a belt but a screeching chalk board noise sounds like a belt to me. While the truck is running spray some WD40 on the belts. If the noise goes away, the belts are your problem. Also, check the fluid level of your power steering. If that gets low it can make some bitching noises...

[Loki]

wd40 on a belt in time will rot it out...kragen or most autopart stores carry belt dressing...my buddy's did that when we moved it after sitting for a long time, and it was his powersteering belt :eek:

believe me...this thing was louder and more obnoxious than i've ever heard a belt in my life.

[Cr_Racer]

ok well thank you for the help but the noise doesnt get louder if i turn the wheel and it doesnt really get louder when i rev the motor. i mean it might a little louder but if im driving on the road i cant hear it and it seems to not do it when its been running for a while and all the belts only have like 20,000 miles on em. so i dont think it is. i could be wrong. o and the power steering fluid is fine. its where it should be so yea i dont really no.

[ovrrdrive]

I know you said near the alternator, but usually noises like this are from one of the idler pulley's when the bearings go bad.

If not an idler pulley I'd check the alternator for the same.

You can troubleshoot by taking the belts off one at a time and seeing which system gives the noise, then you'll probably be able to feel the bad bearing by hand.

[stump runner]

it sound like its coming from either the alternator -- but ive never heard a belt of this noise so ne uneducated or educated geuss will work better than where im at! thanks dave!

i've had bearings make bad noise like that on tensioner pulleys.i'm guessing bad bearings in the alternator - it's about to seize on you (or maybe it already has). many auto part stores can bench test them for free. if it makes that noise in the store - presto! problem found.

also try removing the belt and spinning the alternator and other pulleys by hand. they should spin smoothly, not rough or dry.

[Cr_Racer]

you no what the night it had happened that had crossed my mind but it isnt doing it now and they are all spinning which is a good sign but i have a plan also! hmmm. i can carry a thing of wd-40 and if it starts makin the sound i can spray some on the tensioners or the alternator. and when it leave then ill no. but so far i havent really heard it. thank you for the feedback if it happenes again ill keep you posted. thanks dave

[bodo]

My alternator did that and I thought it was a belt. After three days of being lazy I got a good whiff of smoke and replaced it on the side of the road, still have a fresh gash in my index finger from the crank pulley.

Mine still spun freely and seemed good but things went bad in alternator town.

For $82.96 and minus $40 core for a lifetime replacement I feel better now.