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Calling all mechanics

C

crumpet19

Platinum Member
So.. i don't know a whole lot about cars but I'm guessing this is going to be a belt. I haven't popped the hood yet. It's too cold out, and its dark. It just started doing this when I got off of work 20 minutes ago.

'93 ford ranger. 4cyl 5spd.

When either in first or neutral and I give it gas, it squeals. The squealing slows and stops if I let up on the gas. It doesnt happen in 2nd gear or higher.

Any ideas? If its a belt which one should I look at first and what should I check for? How the hell do you tell if one is bad in this circumstance? Anything else I should check?

Thanks in advance for all your help!

-christopher
 
Loose belt.

You can tell which one is loose, grab hold of them and move them up and down, you shouldnt be able to move them but half an inch or less.
 
Check your serpentine belt for cracks or fraying. Also, check the tension in the belt. The rule of thumb I always go by is that the you should not be able to twist the belt front to back more than a quarter turn on the belt's longest run.
 
Originally posted by: iamwiz82
Check your serpentine belt for cracks or fraying. Also, check the tension in the belt. The rule of thumb I always go by is that the you should not be able to twist the belt front to back more than a quarter turn on the belt's longest run.
Click to expand...

Agreed. However, OP, keep in mind that too loose is better than too tight. You want it to be just tight enough to keep the belt from slipping. Too tight puts unnecessary load on accessories and harder to replace things like water pumps.

 
Old glazed over belts will slip, even if they are tight. When was the last time they were replaced?
 
Originally posted by: compuwiz1
Old glazed over belts will slip, even if they are tight. When was the last time they were replaced?
Click to expand...

Who knows? not me. I just bought the truck a month ago. The belts were tight then. (also they're not frayed or cracked (i looked at that when i 'inspected' the truck)
 
Originally posted by: Minjin
Originally posted by: iamwiz82
Check your serpentine belt for cracks or fraying. Also, check the tension in the belt. The rule of thumb I always go by is that the you should not be able to twist the belt front to back more than a quarter turn on the belt's longest run.
Click to expand...

Agreed. However, OP, keep in mind that too loose is better than too tight. You want it to be just tight enough to keep the belt from slipping. Too tight puts unnecessary load on accessories and harder to replace things like water pumps.
Click to expand...

I'm betting that car has an automatic belt tensioner. That might need to be replaced as well as the belt. I'd check them both.
 
buy a Haynes manual for the car

replacing the belt requires a socket wrench. Belts are like $20.
 
b
Originally posted by: iamwiz82
Check your serpentine belt for cracks or fraying. Also, check the tension in the belt. The rule of thumb I always go by is that the you should not be able to twist the belt front to back more than a quarter turn on the belt's longest run.
Click to expand...

does a 93 ranger 4 cylinder have a serpentine belt?
 
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