E450 Engine Squeal Belt Area.

Replaced 2 Ildlers, tensioner pulley and the belt, squeal gone now. Thanks for everyones help on this issue.

I travel in pretty remote places, i have replacement serpentine belts for all of my vehicles stored in them. My Polaris Ranger is belt driven and gets the belt changed regularly. Spare for that also.
You may be able to find someone with tools but a belt for your truck?

I would change the tensioner and pulley out when putting on a new belt. If you don't, then you get to change them before the new belt goes out, so you get to do the job twice. It's not always an easy job depending how much stuff you need to move.

Thanks for the above info, tried them still have a squeal, will pull belt off next to check pulleys.

eHoefler wrote:
Tensioner and idler pulleys should be replaced when the belt is replaced.

Never heard that before :h

Another easy quick way to find out , while its making the noise squirt a quick shot of WD40 on inside of the belt. Noise gone its the belt.

If you ruled out the belt.
One item at a time with eng shut off, spray just bit of WD40 on the tensioner pulley bolt head area and if possible back side of where the pulley butts up to and let it sit awhile to penetrate.
Start it up and run it, noise still there try another pulley etc.

Rub some plain 'ol soap on the belt as it's moving. If the sound goes away, you've found the problem. If not THEN go after the tensioner. Could also be one of the bearings on an item driven by the belt (power steering, AC, alternator, water pump, etc...)

All the discount auto places will have the idlers. I'd start with them. I'd replace the serpentine belt too. Take the belt off and spin each idler ans each accessory drive pulley and 'feel' which is bad or going bad. Pretty easy to accomplish and you'll readily feel which is bad or going bad, idlers need to turn smooth.

Also check the tensioning device, they can seize up.

As a rule, I only run Gates Green Stripe Fleetrunner serpentine belts. A bit more expensive bgt much better than even OEM. Remember, if the belt breaks, you are done, right then and now.

A squeal is indicative of something failing.

Tensioner and idler pulleys should be replaced when the belt is replaced.

The belt tensioner / idler pulley.

It’s really common and very cheap & easy part to change.