Ford Ranger pulley noise, anyone have a similar experience

[4MyEgo]

I have a 2016 Ford Ranger 2.2 and about 4 times over a period of two months, I have heard this noise coming from around the fan belt, (drive pulley belt) call it what you like., although the noise was short lived and only happened when I started the car.

 

At first I thought it was the fan belt (drive pulley belt) as my kilometres are over 150K and thought I did well not to have had to replace it so far.

 

I enquired with Ford who wanted something like 4,000 baht to replace it, and I said to myself, I know they're expensive but that can't be right, that said, I purchase one myself for 550 baht from a local shop and had a local mechanic fit it for 400 baht, so total cost 950 baht, forget about Ford, what a rip off.

 

Week later the noise happened again, I took a short video of it, about 10 seconds and it stopped as quick as I took the video, but was enough to show the local mechanic and he said alternator pulley, but won't know till he takes it apart and will need the car for 3 days if it is, so he can order the part, nah, that ain't going to happen, I would rather pay for the part and deliver it to him to just change it, regardless if it isn't the alternator pulley.

 

Spoke to Ford and sent them the video and they said you need to change the alternator pulley along with the front belt pulley once you do 150,000 kilometres, price would be in excess of 10,000 baht but couldn't put a price on it, and am still waiting.

 

I don't mind buying the pulley/s and giving them to the local mechanic to replace, but want to know what experiences some have had.

 

It's not an easy one to put the finger on, the local shop where I purchased the fan belt (drive pulley belt) said that they have one that comes in one set i.e. 3 pulleys, but they don't know which one needs replacing and based on the kilometres best to change the 3, however the 5,250 baht for those pulley's doesn't include the alternator pulley which is very expensive at about 11,000 baht, so I am open to any AseanNow members prognosis's, and or suggestions because I would really like to know which one it is and what experiences you might have had with regard to the above.

[Kwasaki]

Have you tried spraying the alternator pulley with some WD40 and if that stops the noise get a can of grease spray. 

[Will B Good]

Are you sure it is not the belt just slipping? Are the belts smooth or toothed?

 

If the sound is only as you start up it sounds like they just need tightening.

Edited March 10, 2022 by Will B Good

[NaaKap]

Sounds suspiciously like a timing chain rattle. Once the timing chain is stretched they will hit the tensioner /adjuster / retainer and rattle for a few seconds until the oil pressure builds up. "That is the dead give away."  (As I have not heard the noise.)

Worn belts have a squealing type sound upon start up.

Pulley bearings have a metallic growl type sound. But bearings are usually a continual growl.

To ascertain if it is a pulley bearing or belt sound. Get a silicone based lubricant can. Carefully isolating each pulley / belt spray individually into each pulley bearing

( from the back of the pully mainly )

Then spray some on the front of the pully bearing.

Start vehicle individually. give plenty of time between start-up  for oil pressure to drop. Time Consuming!  but if you are careful with the overspray onto the belts you can isolate a pulley bearing noise this way. then do the same for each belt.

But it is a few second rattle sound on start-up for a few seconds I would suspect worn timing chain rattling against the retainers / adjusters until the oil pressure builds through the engine from the sump. ( Try to get a spray can with a fine hose attached. WD40, SILICONE Any spray lubricant will do. Silicone bases is best tho. Good luck 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[4MyEgo]

1 hour ago, Will B Good said:

Are you sure it is not the belt just slipping? Are the belts smooth or toothed?

 

If the sound is only as you start up it sounds like they just need tightening.

Apparently they tighten themselves, it also has those grooves in the belt, I also felt the belt, it's as tight as a 

 

[Nojohndoe]

Serpentine belt tensioner dry bearings?

[Will B Good]

27 minutes ago, 4MyEgo said:

Apparently they tighten themselves, it also has those grooves in the belt, I also felt the belt, it's as tight as a 

 

Crazy thought....if they are "tight as"......I wonder if introducing a little slack might help and take the starting load of the bearings????

[4MyEgo]

53 minutes ago, NaaKap said:

Sounds suspiciously like a timing chain rattle. Once the timing chain is stretched they will hit the tensioner /adjuster / retainer and rattle for a few seconds until the oil pressure builds up. "That is the dead give away." 

Now that is clearly something interesting and new, as I heard a while ago timing chains had to be changed every 100 clicks or so, and I have doubled that, you could be right on the money.

 

Will look into this further as there is no point in wasting $'s when people can't give you a 100% clarity, so have looking at all angels.

 

Edited March 10, 2022 by 4MyEgo

[Beachcomber]

4 hours ago, Kwasaki said:

Have you tried spraying the alternator pulley with some WD40

Worked on my Land Rover

Spray the belt and all the pulleys  

 

[NE1]

2 hours ago, 4MyEgo said:

Now that is clearly something interesting and new, as I heard a while ago timing chains had to be changed every 100 clicks or so, and I have doubled that, you could be right on the money.

I changed my timing belt on my Ford at a 100,000 klms.

Not because of a problem , it is something I do with new vehicles.

If the Timing belt does go , then you will need a new engine.

[4MyEgo]

18 minutes ago, NE1 said:

I changed my timing belt on my Ford at a 100,000 klms.

Not because of a problem , it is something I do with new vehicles.

If the Timing belt does go , then you will need a new engine.

@NaaKap

 

As NaaKap mentioned in his earlier reply, I tend to agree with both of your prognosis, based on my reasons below.

 

1) I have owned the car from new and it now has 198,000 kilometres on it, and I know the timing belt hasn't been changed. 

 

2) The noise has only occurred for less than 10 seconds, four times in total and in a two month period.

 

3) I changed the fan belt or pulley belt, thinking it was the noise, but it is not a loud pitched sound like you know when a belt is slipping and it occurred again about a week after I changed the belt or pulley belt.

 

4) I have checked the pulleys and none are loose or wobbly.

 

My conclusion as mentioned is that I agree with both of your prognosis's, so I believe the best avenue is to have the timing chain replaced and then carry on and see if the noise happens again, either way the timing chain is overdue regardless and best to change it before any damage, if any did occur. 

 

I suppose I could also change the alternator pulley along with the front belt pulley as Ford has suggested because at 150k they are due to be changed, however my argument would be why change something if it's working fine, that said, I will pass on this information to the local mechanic as it might be best to leave the car with him to check, A) if it is the alternator pulley and if it's not that, then he can change the timing chain which I will provide to him after I order it, and if it is the alternator pulley, he can order and change it while he is also doing the timing chain which as mentioned will require changing.

 

I previously said I wouldn't leave the car with the mechanic, however I forgot kids have school holidays so I can be without the car for a few days while he does the work.

 

 

Thanks for everyone's input, much appreciated. 

 

Edited March 10, 2022 by 4MyEgo

[bbko]

This Youtube guy is very good at helping others with car problems;

 

[Kwasaki]

1 hour ago, Beachcomber said:

Worked on my Land Rover

Spray the belt and all the pulleys  

 

Yeah they get squeaky and dry but when there done there done and OP's 150k kilos ain't that much.

[4MyEgo]

2 hours ago, bbko said:

This Youtube guy is very good at helping others with car problems;

Thanks but not a squeaky sound, more so a rattle, but only for about 10 seconds on the start of the motor, only heard it 4 times in 2 months, I am lead to believe it to be a timing chain.

[4MyEgo]

1 hour ago, Kwasaki said:

Yeah they get squeaky and dry but when there done there done and OP's 150k kilos ain't that much.

Believe it to be a timing chain now.

[HauptmannUK]

Spray some water on the various pulleys and bearings to isolate the noise. Listen for a change in the noise. Don't use any oils or greases.

 

Be aware that these engines become very troublesome at this sort of mileage. Oil pump failure is common. The engine then seizes. Injector faults are also quite common - over-fuelling.

 

We (in UK) use a specialist rebuilder to repair these engines. They pretty much only deal in this engine. Crank regrind, new oil pump and new injectors.  Rebuild price is c.GBP1400. They are very difficult vehicles to work on. The engine sits quite far back and access to fasteners at the back of the engine is difficult.

At this mileage I would sell it and get a Toyota.

[NanLaew]

The belt tensioner and idler pulleys should be changed at the same time as the serpentine belt. The belt on my 3.2 Ranger with about 110k km on it partially shredded on an afternoon school run but I managed to limp home. My mate who's a mechanic back in UK said if there are any tensioner and/or idler pulleys, they should be replaced at the same time. I pulled the old belt off, ordered a replacement belt and tensioner/idler on lazada and refitted them myself after looking at the shop manual and watching a YouTube. The old tensioner and idler pulleys didn't have any detectable issues when spun by hand but they rotate at several hundreds of rpm and any slight friction and heat buildup won't be detected until it's too late.

Edited March 10, 2022 by NanLaew

[NanLaew]

56 minutes ago, HauptmannUK said:

Spray some water on the various pulleys and bearings to isolate the noise. Listen for a change in the noise. Don't use any oils or greases.

 

Be aware that these engines become very troublesome at this sort of mileage. Oil pump failure is common. The engine then seizes. Injector faults are also quite common - over-fuelling.

 

We (in UK) use a specialist rebuilder to repair these engines. They pretty much only deal in this engine. Crank regrind, new oil pump and new injectors.  Rebuild price is c.GBP1400. They are very difficult vehicles to work on. The engine sits quite far back and access to fasteners at the back of the engine is difficult.

At this mileage I would sell it and get a Toyota.

What a load of unsubstantiated rubbish.

 

All of it.

[Kwasaki]

12 hours ago, 4MyEgo said:

Believe it to be a timing chain now.

Hi if the car has one, that could well be more of a rattle noise but tensioners can make noises.

The shalfs on pulleys get dust and when worn can get squeaky not a big problem but annoying.

At some stage best to just get it fixed or turn the radio up. ????

[4MyEgo]

9 minutes ago, Kwasaki said:

Hi if the car has one, that could well be more of a rattle noise but tensioners can make noises.

The shalfs on pulleys get dust and when worn can get squeaky not a big problem but annoying.

At some stage best to just get it fixed or turn the radio up. ????

Yeh thx, have had a look at a few video's on YouTube and from what I have heard (similar sounds), although longer makes it a toss between the alternator pulley or the timing chain, that said, from what I have read on Google and discussed with Ford, the timing chains really don't need to be changed unless they are making continuous noise and can last up to 600,000 kilometres if not more.

 

Stuck between a rock and a hard place, think I might bite the bullet and just take it into Ford and ask them to sort it and give me the bill, at the end of the day, one would think Ford would know as they work on these day in day out and these parts are due kilometre wise and if it's all sorted then it's sorted, no point in crying over a few dollars that I could have saved, as long as they get it correct vs might be the alternator pulley, but won't know unless I take it apart and will need 3 days to order the part if that is the problem (local mechanic).

 

Also at the end of the day as I approach 200k in 6 years, all I have had to do is change the oil, oil filter, air filter, air conditioning filter, two sets of tyres and what I call a universal housing, so not a bad run.

[Kwasaki]

11 minutes ago, 4MyEgo said:

Yeh thx, have had a look at a few video's on YouTube and from what I have heard (similar sounds), although longer makes it a toss between the alternator pulley or the timing chain, that said, from what I have read on Google and discussed with Ford, the timing chains really don't need to be changed unless they are making continuous noise and can last up to 600,000 kilometres if not more.

 

Stuck between a rock and a hard place, think I might bite the bullet and just take it into Ford and ask them to sort it and give me the bill, at the end of the day, one would think Ford would know as they work on these day in day out and these parts are due kilometre wise and if it's all sorted then it's sorted, no point in crying over a few dollars that I could have saved, as long as they get it correct vs might be the alternator pulley, but won't know unless I take it apart and will need 3 days to order the part if that is the problem (local mechanic).

 

Also at the end of the day as I approach 200k in 6 years, all I have had to do is change the oil, oil filter, air filter, air conditioning filter, two sets of tyres and what I call a universal housing, so not a bad run.

Yeah your not really the normal truck owner you doing twice kinda Thai average kilos per year.

A lot of driving in the rainy season can bring squeakies to motors. 

If you wanna keep the truck get it fixed at least you have come back on Ford if it still squeaks. 

Also cheaper than replacing like most companies do. 

 

 

[NanLaew]

Both the 2.2 and 3.2 Puma mills have internal timing chains. They aren't supposed to present issues until the 300k km mark. ie. that's when one should be aware of any persistent odd noises or the pro-active mechanic suggests some preventative maintenance.

[4MyEgo]

22 minutes ago, Kwasaki said:

Yeah your not really the normal truck owner you doing twice kinda Thai average kilos per year.

A lot of driving in the rainy season can bring squeakies to motors. 

If you wanna keep the truck get it fixed at least you have come back on Ford if it still squeaks. 

Also cheaper than replacing like most companies do. 

 

 

I like to drive when I go on holidays with the family, gives me independence and when weighing up the cost of flights, it's more expensive than driving and then having to hire a car.

 

The above said, that is a good point about Ford, if they fix it and it still rattles (when ever it does), not often as mentioned earlier, then they would have to credit me for changing what wasn't the problem, although I wouldn't hold them to it, because those parts are recommended to be changed at least 50k kilometres back.

 

But if the problem caused bigger problems to the engine then I would hold them accountable for it, at least try to.

 

Edited March 11, 2022 by 4MyEgo

[Kwasaki]

7 minutes ago, 4MyEgo said:

I like to drive when I go on holidays with the family, gives me independence and when weighing up the cost of flights, it's more expensive than driving and then having to hire a car.

 

The above said, that is a good point about Ford, if they fix it and it still rattles (when ever it does), not often as mentioned earlier, then they would have to credit me for changing what wasn't the problem, although I wouldn't hold them to it, because those parts are recommended to be changed at least 50k kilometres back.

 

But if the problem caused bigger problems to the engine then I would hold them accountable for it, at least try to.

Something like pulleys in my experience wouldn't cause engine problems it's more a case of chains breaking (rare) or the fear of belts breaking.

Nowadays a lot more clanking and rattling noises start before engine failures and usually that would happen out of neglect.

Sounds to me you've have enjoyed and got a reliable vehicle.

[4MyEgo]

5 minutes ago, Kwasaki said:

Something like pulleys in my experience wouldn't cause engine problems it's more a case of chains breaking (rare) or the fear of belts breaking.

Nowadays a lot more clanking and rattling noises start before engine failures and usually that would happen out of neglect.

Sounds to me you've have enjoyed and got a reliable vehicle.

That I have, I just remembered when the noise happened a few times ago, I thought it was the fan inside the car for the air conditioner, maybe getting stuck or something like that and I switched the A/C off and the sound stopped, (coincidence) ?,cso my dear Watson, hopefully Ford can sort it.

 

Will update at a later date what it was for future reference for anyone having similar problems.

 

Edited March 11, 2022 by 4MyEgo

[NanLaew]

1 hour ago, 4MyEgo said:

That I have, I just remembered when the noise happened a few times ago, I thought it was the fan inside the car for the air conditioner, maybe getting stuck or something like that and I switched the A/C off and the sound stopped, (coincidence) ?,cso my dear Watson, hopefully Ford can sort it.

 

Will update at a later date what it was for future reference for anyone having similar problems.

 

May be a (very) randomly sluggish clutch on the air conditioner compressor?

 

To eliminate that, make sure you turn off both the aircon AND climate control before you turn off the ignition and park up for the night. Although the truck electronics are coded to kill the aircon momentarily when the ignition is turned on and the engine is started, there's possibly a dead spot on the aircon compressor clutch/flywheel is causing a mechanical grab on start up? Aircon clutch replacement isn't as expensive and a lot easier and quicker than a timing chain job.

[4MyEgo]

1 hour ago, NanLaew said:

May be a (very) randomly sluggish clutch on the air conditioner compressor?

 

To eliminate that, make sure you turn off both the aircon AND climate control before you turn off the ignition and park up for the night. Although the truck electronics are coded to kill the aircon momentarily when the ignition is turned on and the engine is started, there's possibly a dead spot on the aircon compressor clutch/flywheel is causing a mechanical grab on start up? Aircon clutch replacement isn't as expensive and a lot easier and quicker than a timing chain job.

Thx for that, I just booked it in with Ford for Monday, they said the pulley which comes in a ring of three as one piece directly under the alternator/pulley, not sure what it's called should be replaced 1st, it comes as a set with the belt, so looks like I will have the belt that they will take off as a spare as I just replaced it, and if the rattling noise continuous, then they will look at the alternator pulley.

 

They said forget the timing chain, it doesn't need replacing.

 

All up just under 4,000 baht and about 2 hours work, looks like there was a miscommunication in the original conversation with them over a week ago when they quoted me 4,000 baht for the belt replacement, me buying it from elsewhere for 550 baht and having a local mechanic install it for 400 baht, so there goes 950 baht...lol

 

Might as well get them to go over it like a fine toothcomb while I'm there so as to see if they pick up anything else, which I am sure they will.

 

[HauptmannUK]

On 3/10/2022 at 9:56 PM, NanLaew said:

What a load of unsubstantiated rubbish.

 

All of it.

 

And your credentials are?

Mine are 40 years in the motor trade, pal, with our family business established 101 years.

I know my way around these Ford 2.2's. Oil pump and injector issues are well known.

This is the company we use to recondition them in UK, one of the best........he's always stacked out with them:

Phoenix Motor Engineering

Faringdon Ave

Romford.

 

There's a YouTube vid of him reconditioning one somewhere, I'll try to find it.

 

 

[Yellowtail]

21 hours ago, HauptmannUK said:

 

And your credentials are?

Mine are 40 years in the motor trade, pal, with our family business established 101 years.

I know my way around these Ford 2.2's. Oil pump and injector issues are well known.

This is the company we use to recondition them in UK, one of the best........he's always stacked out with them:

Phoenix Motor Engineering

Faringdon Ave

Romford.

 

There's a YouTube vid of him reconditioning one somewhere, I'll try to find it.

 

 

You guys are pals now, that's nice...

[NanLaew]

On 3/12/2022 at 6:16 PM, HauptmannUK said:

 

And your credentials are?

Mine are 40 years in the motor trade, pal, with our family business established 101 years.

I know my way around these Ford 2.2's. Oil pump and injector issues are well known.

This is the company we use to recondition them in UK, one of the best........he's always stacked out with them:

Phoenix Motor Engineering

Faringdon Ave

Romford.

 

There's a YouTube vid of him reconditioning one somewhere, I'll try to find it.

 

 

Since Ford's Puma TDCi engine has been in many, many other vehicles long before the T6 Ranger came on the market with the bulk of them in commercial fleet vehicles, I have no doubt the engine reconditioning market in the UK is a busy one. However, for the average Ranger driver, the oil pump and injector "issues" are very few and far between.

 

My own specialization involves the rebuilding of DAF engines for trucks. The company, based in Lancs, has a chunk of the UK market with recovery trucks hauling in lorries with dead dongers from Scotland to Lands End. We even do the ones that other DAF shops find too hard or where other, less professional shops have used cheap Chinese camshafts and the like.

 

Lynch Truck Services Limited
Barnfield Way,
Altham Business Park,
Accrington

 

https://www.lynchtrucks.com/

 

No need for the video. Thanks.
 

Edited March 14, 2022 by NanLaew