Serpentine belt recommendations

[abuck99]

I'm doing a flush as well. Pulling the reservoir and getting the internal screen is first order of business. I suspect it will take three flush, one qt. a time driving for the week in between each flush. At least that what the last under maintained rig took.
FWIW: Steering Flush & Cleaning

Once steering pump noise quiets down it helps isolate other sound from fan clutch, idler & tensioner bearings and compressor.

Is your PS pump making noise all the time, just during turns, or chirping at start up?

 

[Simplespirit]

It was chirping at startup. My fluid was a clear tan color so I went ahead and replaced what was in the reservoir with fresh atf.

 

[2001LC]

Is your PS pump making noise all the time, just during turns, or chirping at start up?

Most noticeable when cold, but noisy all the time. I'm speaking of the last one I worked on a month or so ago. The idler bearing & tensioner were both chipping, both most noticeable when cold. Power steering had me fooled for a bit. Made think new tensioner bearing (I had just replaced) was bad, not chirping just noisy. It appeared (when checking with stethoscope) that sound from pump would transfer to tensioner. After third power steering flush, fluid went from black to red, all was good and quiet.

This rig (I didn't get to today) fluid is dirty and whole area is noisy, so I wanted to start with flush first. Then move to pulley bearings, fan clutch and fan bracket bearing last of all.

 

[SWUtah]

Note: I've found high pressure water sprayed on idler or tensioner bearings will cause chip to get really bad. The bearing seals fail, which leads to bearing failure, water speed this up. I no longer wash this area.

How about cleaning with "simple green" and a garden hose low pressure? While engine is running? I did this the other day and got a loud scrapping sound coming from the front of the engine when I was rinsing. Stopped after about 20 seconds, I kept rinsing and the sound did not come back. Drove around until engine was dry. Next day at startup lifted the hood and listened for any weird sound. Thought I heard a very very faint scrapping noise on and off for about 10 seconds, then smooth and quiet. I'll keep checking, hope I did not harm the tensioner or idler bearings by cleaning. I am not getting any chirping. Am I being to picky?

 

[2001LC]

20 second "Loud scrapping sound" was surly belt slipping. If 10 second "scrapping sound" quiets down in 10 seconds, I'd not be concerned.

Poor wording above on my part, as I do still clean this "area". I just do not spray directly on belt or pulley's with cleaning agents or high pressure water. After washing I'll get lots of scary noises for ~90 seconds on startup, mostly from belt slipping. Not a big deal, provide no soap or oils are on belt or pulley's. I don't clean this area while running engine, over concern of the move parts grabbing my sprayer, as I get spray tip in tight for control.

Side note:
These "cleaning products" break down oils/greases as they should. Oils which may have been protecting bearing seal somewhat from moisture. Additionally they dry rubber. I use Lexol vinylex Protectant after cleaning to condition hoses and plastic, which of course can't be used on the Serpentine belt.