- Thread starter
- #281
I'd had a report from Snowy's new owner of a drive belt squeal, that happen one time. This seem strange as Drive belt tensioner had good back force tension, not new but as good as I see at half the mileage. Also the tensioner bearing and idler pulley/bearing had been replaced and drive belt was in good condition.
A first thought was the bearings either the National 203-FF tensioner replacement bearing or idler Hayden 5021 pulley/bearing was failing. I don't have long term test on these, as I've only used them for about a year now. We also have one member that report issue with the Hayden. IIRC, he noted some play (wobble) in the Hayden assembly, new that worsened with time. It is possible that was a fluke, or just not seated properly during install (seating issue happens to me often with idler).
But upon speaking with Snowy's owner I mention, "we'll get belt squeal when the drive belt gets wet", like when washing engine. That getting bearings wet will cause damage if seals are failing also. So I; protect, avoid or remove these during engine washing's. He then recalled; he been driving in the rain when it happened. The condition has not reoccurred to my knowledge since. Had this been bearings or tensioner they should be worst by now, and at minimum revealed themselves when cold (before engine warm up) if nothing else.
This leads me to believe the squeal was indeed a wet belt condition. Possible more apparent with older drive belt tensioner (weakening). But I drive in the rain and just did for two hour across the great Salt Lake of UT while on road trip home with The Black Knight. So Why did Snowy have issue in the rain and I not heard on my test drives or in The Black Knight or The King which also was driven on HWY for hours in the rain on Road trip from San Antonio a few years ago!
The answer may be the foam pad that is located between the radiator and skid plate. Some may recall in post #27 here, item #26 of "On what needs attention" I made mention of this foam pad and how it rusted out the skid plate (replaced due to rust). I also link below thread to item #26, noting I would not be replacing the foam rust creator. Is this necessary- Skid plate foam pad? I've always felt Toyota Tech support's explanation (in writing) to me. That it's a vibration damping device was inaccurate. I've always felt Toyota engineers had atleast other reason for it. Number one being to help direct air flow through radiator for cooling.
Now I'm thinking it (Foam Pad) could help keep moisture off lower end of engine i.e. the drive belt.
Every one of these Foam pads I've inspected have broken down and hold water. Some just fall apart, and all the aged ones absorb water. This foam is holding water as it breaks down, which is causing our skip plates to rust out. So over last two years I just stop replacing them, to reduce PM going forward (preserve the skid plate).
Here is one I replace in 2013 on The King. I also drill some small holes (painting afterwards) as water weeps.
These foam pads, as they break down over time, absorb water holding it like a sponge. I real bad rust promoter.
Here you can see how new foam pad repels water.
They cost is only $20 or $30 for the foam, where new OEM skid plates fetch a much higher price from Toyota/lexus.
So here are some questions:
Doesn't this foam really help unwanted water entry into lower engine area while driving or washing?
Is it better to get longer maintenance free life from skid plate by removing and not replacing old foam pads?
Or should we add replace of foam pad (Packing, coolant 88578-60100) as a PM, and how often?
The King 's was replaced 4 years ago and still seem fine. So Id say if replacing check ever 4 years to see if water still repels as the PM test.
A first thought was the bearings either the National 203-FF tensioner replacement bearing or idler Hayden 5021 pulley/bearing was failing. I don't have long term test on these, as I've only used them for about a year now. We also have one member that report issue with the Hayden. IIRC, he noted some play (wobble) in the Hayden assembly, new that worsened with time. It is possible that was a fluke, or just not seated properly during install (seating issue happens to me often with idler).
But upon speaking with Snowy's owner I mention, "we'll get belt squeal when the drive belt gets wet", like when washing engine. That getting bearings wet will cause damage if seals are failing also. So I; protect, avoid or remove these during engine washing's. He then recalled; he been driving in the rain when it happened. The condition has not reoccurred to my knowledge since. Had this been bearings or tensioner they should be worst by now, and at minimum revealed themselves when cold (before engine warm up) if nothing else.
This leads me to believe the squeal was indeed a wet belt condition. Possible more apparent with older drive belt tensioner (weakening). But I drive in the rain and just did for two hour across the great Salt Lake of UT while on road trip home with The Black Knight. So Why did Snowy have issue in the rain and I not heard on my test drives or in The Black Knight or The King which also was driven on HWY for hours in the rain on Road trip from San Antonio a few years ago!
The answer may be the foam pad that is located between the radiator and skid plate. Some may recall in post #27 here, item #26 of "On what needs attention" I made mention of this foam pad and how it rusted out the skid plate (replaced due to rust). I also link below thread to item #26, noting I would not be replacing the foam rust creator. Is this necessary- Skid plate foam pad? I've always felt Toyota Tech support's explanation (in writing) to me. That it's a vibration damping device was inaccurate. I've always felt Toyota engineers had atleast other reason for it. Number one being to help direct air flow through radiator for cooling.
Now I'm thinking it (Foam Pad) could help keep moisture off lower end of engine i.e. the drive belt.
Every one of these Foam pads I've inspected have broken down and hold water. Some just fall apart, and all the aged ones absorb water. This foam is holding water as it breaks down, which is causing our skip plates to rust out. So over last two years I just stop replacing them, to reduce PM going forward (preserve the skid plate).
Here is one I replace in 2013 on The King. I also drill some small holes (painting afterwards) as water weeps.
These foam pads, as they break down over time, absorb water holding it like a sponge. I real bad rust promoter.
Here you can see how new foam pad repels water.
They cost is only $20 or $30 for the foam, where new OEM skid plates fetch a much higher price from Toyota/lexus.
So here are some questions:
Doesn't this foam really help unwanted water entry into lower engine area while driving or washing?
Is it better to get longer maintenance free life from skid plate by removing and not replacing old foam pads?
Or should we add replace of foam pad (Packing, coolant 88578-60100) as a PM, and how often?
The King 's was replaced 4 years ago and still seem fine. So Id say if replacing check ever 4 years to see if water still repels as the PM test.
Last edited:
