serpentine belt tensioner pulley

[tomcatin63]

Hello all, I had a slight problem today, thank God I was close to my shop when it happened. About a week ago I heard a slight wirring sound coming from engine compartment so I shut down motor and immediately started snooping around at pulleys and serpentine belt looking for a problem. I reached down to pulleys and serpentine belt pulling and trying to see if there was any play in any of the pulleys. So anyway, nothing out of ordinary so I thought. I guess I should have removed serpentine belt to check everything thoroughly. Well anyway, Started up the truck and not a peep! A week later and ping,ring,ding,ding (thats what it sounded like LOL). Next thing you know I don't have power brakes,power steering, and I guess no water pump.(Thank God engine never got to operating temp. or above. So anyway, I turned right around and made it back to shop alright. Man, can you imagine if that happened somewhere far from home? So question is that I am so nervous about the whole thing that I was wondering if every tensioner pulley and bearinged pulleys for serpentine belt should be replaced? I don't think that I did any damage to fan or radiator because the tensioner pulley shot sraight
down to the ground and I found it on the way back home about a half hour later. The guts of the pulley were ground right out. The strangest thing is that you would think that the thing would make some sort of sound or racket.
Not the case it seems. hahaha. Anyway, with that all out of the way my question is this : Can I get tensioners and pulleys at a local auto parts store or do I have to go to Ford? Thanks, Tom

 

[DaveBen]

Definitely change the tensioner. Get whatever you feel works for you. I am going to an Auto Parts house for my next tensioner. Nothing special about Fords tensioners.

Dave

 

[early 99 stroker]

i got the tensioner with both pulley's at napa for like 50 bucks..

 

[BJS]

I would replace the tensioner and the various idler pulleys around the system. If not the whole pulley at a minimum the bearing in the center.

 

[tomcatin63]

Thanks Ben for the heads up on tensioner, I was really lucky today that no one pulled out in front of me or worse. I had to downshift the tranny to slow down because the booster for the brakes went out with the serpentine belt not spinning. I'll tell you the truth I was more worried about the engine temp. than anything. I knew right away I was in trouble. If I were more than a few miles from home I would have had to be towed. Thank God! Thanks again Ben Tom

 

[tomcatin63]

Thanks also Ron and Brandon for the info. I really appreciate your quick responses to my questions and concerns
Thank you, Tom

 

[93turbo_animal]

its been my experience that when one goes the rest are not long for this world

 

[02stroker]

Just a little info for what it's worth. We have an International 4300 rollback at work with a 7.3 in it. It has a little over 300,000 miles on it and all the idler pulleys have been replaced at least twice on it. A bearing that doesn't have any provisions for resupplying some form of lube has a finite lifespan. I'd say while it's apart, and if you'r pocket book can spare it, change all the idlers. One less thing to worry about for a little while at least.

 

[DaveBen]

My last truck had a 7.3 and the tensioner went out at 125,000 miles. I am due for a idler change on my current truck. I have 105,000 miles and it is time, based on mileage.

Dave

 

[JLDickmon]

I was getting fuel one morning, and came out of the store and wondered what that big rat-tail was hanging out from under my truck..

It was the belt shredding because the tensioner was in the process of puking.

So I'd have to say this would be a good preventive maintenance item at 100,000 miles.