How to Replace a Drive Belt Idler Pulley on a 4.6L Ford

[@wandererxyz]

Well, I pulled the tensioner out using a 15 mm wrench. It turns out that the idler and tensioner are using the same kind of pulley on a 1999 Grand Marquis. The vehicle runs much quieter after changed the tensioner pulley. Thank you very much for your posting of this video on the Internet. I probably will never be able to take the Serpentine belt out without your video help. Have a nice day and thanks.

[@1995emmanuel]

You saved me $320 !!! i was gonna get the power steering pump replaced because i thought that it was the pump that made that noise. but then i saw this video and replaced my idler pulley and it fixed the noise. THANK YOU SOO MUCH!

[@geaux4tigers536]

Another tip, take a 3 foot garden hose and put it to your ear. Put the other end to the pulleys to find the one what is noisy. Works great.

[@littlefatzrow]

Thanks, young man. this really helped me a lot. I had stuck my head in the sand about it and had let it go until it broke off coming back home on the freeway Saturday night! I saw the belt fly out in front of the car but no permanent damage, she's fine now.

[@Nick243120]

bro ythis video helped me out so much i had the exact same pulley problem.... guy was gonna charge me 60$ to swap it out. Thanx. you saved me an extra 45$

[@Hoggdoc1946]

Thanks for video. I need to replace idler on my 1999 Mustang GT. I had changed the belt before, but this time could find the spot to put the breaker bar to release the tension... Your video helped a lot...

[@iaintneverscared1]

Really appreciate this vid. I have the same problem right now. Makes the rattling noise at idle but not during acceleration. Kinda sounds almost like a blower at idle. Again thanks for the help and I'm definetly subscribing to your channel

[@NateMac434]

frickin sick vid man!! I got 88,000 ams on my 1996 Cobra. Obviously it is a common problem with these modulars

[@misterbulger]

It's just my idler pulley! It knocks like a bent rod on cold startup I was crapping my pants earlier. My clutch started ticking at the same time... thought my motor was going out. Just normal stuff tho it appears thank God. These 4.6 2Vs should run forever. Keep up the videos... I know it's been 11yrs tho lol

[@CallmeDaBreeze1971]

This happend to my '05 Lincoln Aviator last night. I'm doing this repair today. Thanks for the vid.

[@wandererxyz]

Thanks for your speedy response. I looked the belt/pulley area again and found that the tensioner pulley is loose too. I oiled the tensioner pulley and it is quiet right know. However, I think this is just a temporary fix. Can you tell me if the tensioner pulley and the idler pulley are using the same part? And, can I just replace the tensioner pulley or I'll have to replace the whole tensioner assembly? Thanks.

[@101Parkside]

Good job Bud. Better than the shop having the car for the afternoon and charging you for it sitting on the lot.

[@louie5237]

I think this video just saved me a lot of money. Thank you brotha! 🔥

[@jake6483]

There are literally millions of 4.6l 2 valves but hardly any videos showing how to do a lot of different things. I have this engine in my 08 F150 and it's time to replace my idlers, tensioner, and belt

[@billpoole1840]

Good video and good advice. But I would suggest spending the few extra dollars for the metal pulley and not get the plastic one. Especially if your going to keep the car a long time.

[@rywolf01]

Lol! I can turn a 5 minute job into an all day fiasco! Thanks for the video sir. I have 265k on mine.

[@MrMustang1804]

Great video. Keep the 4.6 Mustangs coming.

[@koshdman]

Thanks for posting. My pulley started acting up today.

[@losauce521]

Mine is squealing but I don’t know whether to replace the pully or the tensioner first?

[@DRG3824]

Good video, very helpful. Not a lot of BS.

[@wandererxyz]

I have a 1999 Grand Marquis and the engine idler makes noise. I replaced with a new one but the noise still there. I know it is the engine idler that makes the noise. Because I oiled the old one and put it back and the noise went away for a while till the oil dried out. Can you tell me where did you get your replace engine idler? And, what brand it is? Thanks.

[@blastforyou]

my little noise maker was water pump. I checked with a cut off piece of water hose and move around close to all suspects; water pump, power steering, ac clutch, alternator, all idlers. The noise seemed to be concentrated around water pump. I loosened belt and removed from alt. so slack on all. I spun all pulleys and listened for noise. It was water pump; I'm really glad wasn't AC its getting warm and that can be expen.

[@laurasotelo4021]

so do you lose power by the pulley not working right? mines making a lil noise and i noticed the belt jumped a lil and touched the block leaving a mark i guess on a clutch dump?

[@matthewwillis2201]

Hey what are the symptoms of this problem? I have a high-pitched noise coming from my engine - pretty consistent all the time. It used to be for a few moments after startup but has progressed to being consistent. With my limited knowledge I would have said it was a fan belt by the sound of it.

[@6speeddakota]

+Matthew Willis It can cause a high pitched metallic sound if the bearing is really badly gone. Generally when they start to go, they make the sound of a skateboard wheel.

[@dieselyeti]

My 2008 Town Car was making the same noise as Matthew described. It didn't sound like a belt squeal, more metallic. I couldn't ID where it was coming from and thought the bearing on the alternator might be going out. Turns out it was the tensioner/idler pulley. I had it replaced today, and am now feeling kinda dopey for paying somebody else to do it when I could have easily done it myself. Doh!!

[@hteets1]

if i change the idler pulley should i just change the tension pulley also?

[@jerryloco690]

Was it making noise before you replaced the pulley?

[@cristianodossantos6388]

My car does have that pulley, looks like that part got cut or something, I just found out that this part is missing and I have been driving like that for 50,000 miles

[@jw200]

Can this pulley cause chirping/squealing noise? I have such noise coming from the place where all the belts are. But i don't know exactly what causes the noise. Warming the engine up, doesn't help. There is still noise. Pretty loud

[@gpz1100z1]

Thanks man. Just saved me some cash!

[@travisjohnson8267]

how many pulleys did that car have? Working on the exact same car but motor only have six pulleys?

[@davidgalbraith2889]

How do I get the belt off? The tensioner is blocking removal. I don't want to risk something flying out if I remove the tensioner. Thanks.

[@6speeddakota]

+David Galbraith There's a square drive hole in the tensioner arm, put a ratchet or breaker bar in there and pull on it, that'll remove tension from the belt.

[@davidgalbraith2889]

thanks. Turns out I had to remove the tension pulley in order to install a new belt. Good thing I did because it turned out the pulley was completely wrecked (edge jammed against the center bolt), so I had to just replace the entire tension bracket which comes with the pulley preinstalled.

[@renedelafuente123]

I don't know why yours gave out at 125,000 miles, my 2000 ford expedition has 206,000 and I tried to move it like u did and no movement what so ever. But preventive maint. never hurt anyone, so I'm doing what u did. Thanks for the video.

[@6speeddakota]

it's actually 125,000 km, the car was little old lady driven, so it didn't get out much

[@renedelafuente123]

Is 125,000 km more than miles? Anyway mine has 206 thous. miles and last week my alternator went out. A friend and me changed the alternator, and for preventive maint., changed out the water pump, fanclutch, thermostat, and the other idler pulley, but I should have changed the one u did also. Anyway, like u said less than 5 min. no big deal to change. Thanks for the video.

[@6speeddakota]

it's about 78,000 miles. Changing a pulley is cheap insurance considering it'll leave you stranded if it spits the belt out

[@sulycanales]

Tony Garza cómo cambiar una faja de una vena jefe 100-5098

[@barclayreid7716]

Thank you, it was an easy fix.

[@imbrandon16]

i just replaced this right now on my moms car like 10 minutes ago. just take the serpintine belt off. the cars have a diagram, and it was a 15mm socket and a 3/8 driver. not a 13mm and a 1/2.but the explorer was making a LOUUUUUUDDDDD squeel. it stoped after i changed this.

[@caushooter23]

Hey 6speed when you say common problem what exactly happens besides the belt snapping and shredding are there any other signs to let you know that the idler pulley is going bad? I have the same year grand marquis with 102, 000 k on it. I heard a whining noise and it last about a couple of minutes and I didnt know if its the tensioner pulley or the idler I was in idle when

[@Sumtincheezy69]

touch a screwdriver the bolts holding in each of the pulleys, one at a time. If one of them is vibrating noticeably more than the other, odds are that's your culprit.

[@Vickolikestocook]

Thank you very much for this video. It was very helpful

[@fredkemper6145]

I have a 1992 Lincoln Town Car and it makes a chirping noise when it is in drive or reverse.,Is that one of the pulleys?

[@iaintneverscared1]

Ok scratch that,lol. I went outside to check on my pulleys for play and the all accually where good. And come to find out that my belt is routed different than the one from your vid. So now my question is its probably my tensioner then??

[@xxdefianttxx]

i have a whinning sound comming from my 08 150 4.6, wondering if this same pulley could be the problem, sounds comming from the front fan- pulley area, any help would be great thanks

[@SlikLizrd]

Change the Belt Tensioner AND the Idler Pulley at the same time. Inspect the belt while the pulleys are off, and replace the belt if it's not in PERFECT condition. Parts = Gates "Drive-Align" Belt Tensioner, Gates Idler Pulley, and Gates "RPM SEries" Serpentine Belt, as installed on the famous 95 MERC.

[@jw200]

@6speeddakota Thanks for reply. Well it seems that high humidity caused this. Now it's colder here, few degrees below 0 and the noise is gone. Should i still be worried?

[@MLane-qn4qd]

whats up 6speed, I have a 03 chevy S10/v6, the problem I'm having is recently I've started to hear this whining sound from my engine. Do u have any suggestions what might be causing this problem?

[@SmudgyContent]

Or can just hold the accelerator to the floor and enter flood mode when ur rolling it over

[@6speeddakota]

You could do that, but the idea is that bumping the key will cause the motor to spin forward and kick back from the compression, which should kick the belt back on if it’s not 100% on the pulley correctly. I’ve had it work and I’ve had it not work, so it may be just luck of the draw

[@SeptemberRepresenter]

can a bad tensioner pulley cause a belt to fall off?

[@6speeddakota]

+Yung Savage a worn tensioner will definitely do that. Look at the belt from the side at it should be perfect in a straight line, if one of the pulleys looks like it's leaning forward, then you have your culprit. Generally as the tensioner wears, it begins to rock forward because the tensioner is effectively a lever, and the force of the belt tends to pull the tensioner forward, so the bushing inside wears on the front edge. As the tensioner wears more and more, it continues to creep forward throwing the belt out of line. I've also seen the tensioner seize up in place, so it doesn't put much tension on the belt. If you try pull on the belt a bit and it's got slop in it, then you're probably looking at a bad tensioner. Not enough belt tension will not only cause the belt to squeal, but if you jump on the throttle really hard all of a sudden, it could load the belt up so much that it'll cause it to jump off the pulleys. It generally becomes a projectile that exits very quickly out the bottom of the car. Don't ask me how I know ;)

[@ALSNewsNow]

YES! The most common sign of pulley failure is squealing!

[@acg2002us]

What size was the pulley bolt?

[@6speeddakota]

It’s got a 13mm head. I’m thinking it’s probably an m8. But I’m not certain what the threading is. My guess it’s probably a fine thread of some sort. If you’re trying to find a replacement, you may have a hard time

[@acg2002us]

@@6speeddakota Thanks! 13mm is what I was looking for I'm going to the Pick N Pull soon.

[@bjeinsincity]

Great vid bro!

[@302zombie]

eeyup just got a 2008 mustang gt from the dealer i work at and it has a squealing pulley. car only has 71,000miles, its a common problem with 4.6mod v8 but thats about it.

[@devilmaycry9411]

thanks u just saved my car

[@kensnedegar5925]

Great video

[@lucasmccann1]

Great vid man

[@kevincarpenter5431]

Useful info dude...

[@12060bl]

Great informative & simple

[@fredkemper6145]

Thanks 6speed

[@pjimenez795]

How do you remove the tentioner ?

[@6speeddakota]

There are 3 bolts on the front of the tensioner that hold it to the front cover of the motor. Pull those off and the tensionser will come right out.

[@pjimenez795]

Thank you!

[@jimmydeanjr.7545]

Usually a 10 milimeter socket

[@caushooter23]

I meant park when the whining started sorry for two posts.

[@frankpaul3204]

Bumping the engine was the wrong thing to do. If the belt wasn't aligned correctly you could cause serious damage. You should have rotated the engine with a breaker bar to check proper belt alignment.

[@koshdman]

Replaced them bot, still making noise. Rats!

[@jito8019]

$40 for a plastic pulley? Jesus one of y'all over paid. Even if I'm mistaken and that's metal it's still far too expensive

[@6speeddakota]

I live in canada, things are just more expensive here and it doesn't get any better going to the states with the awful exchange rate

[@nicholsjoshua15]

Wow, I bought a metal one for seventeen dollars.

[@nicokanel3098]

JayGT that pulley is $14.99 at advanced auto

[@jmartca]

Just a tips for everyone rockauto.com selling those pulley from 7$ so

[@jasonstrout4502]

Just another tip you also pay for shipping from rockauto.com

[@MatthewPepek]

you didnt show how to align them, that's the most absolute crucial part. If they aren't aligned you can literally break the top half to engine, valves pistons, etc.

[@6speeddakota]

What are you talking about??? this is the accessory drive belt, not the timing chain

[@MatthewPepek]

***** Whatever belt this was. It sets all pistons and valves to work in sync of each other. to prevent damaging, unless u perfectly didn't twist any bearing while taking off the belt then its fine. But some cars require a manual reset to 0° to insure every thing will work when the engine runs.

[@6speeddakota]

Matthew Pepek You're thinking of the timing belt, this motor doesn't have one, it has timing chains. There is no timing or anything on the accessory drive belt. Older Honda 4 cylinders have timing belts, if you don't line the camshaft and the crankshaft up, a valve can contact the piston. The belt in this car drives the alternator, power steering, water pump, and air conditioning, no timing required

[@DirtyDanMunicipalMan]

Yeah what your talking about is a timing belt.....this is a serpentine belt dude. Different things man. This engine doesn't use a timing belt, this engine uses a timing chain, and if that is not aligned then the piston will slap the valves and yadda yadda. A serpentine belt just needs to spin the accessories, power steering, alternator, AC,water pump. Yeah very different things man.

[@Kingcanad]

Thanks for the helpful guide!