The squealing 3rd gen

Went wheeling last weekend, hit a decent amount of big puddles, got caught up in some snow, and drove about 1.5 hours on the highway each direction.

Everything was fine. Next morning (Monday) when I started the truck the serp belt was squealing. Water tested and I'm leaning towards a misaligned belt or loose pulley.

Looks as if idler pulley 2 on the top end has a slight wobble. Confused as to how it could start acting up, parked over night. Maybe my tensioner barely lost its tension. Can I get some input on what you guys see under your own hoods?

I've done a fair share of serp belts, but never a Tacoma and definitely not a 3rd gen yet. Looks like a god damn nightmare.

 

Havent done the belt on my truck but you are pretty sure its the belt? I thought my belt was chirping occasionally but its actually coming from the high pressure fuel pump right in the area and deemed "normal"

 

Oh no, it's the belt. it's loud and obnoxious. A little squirt of water and it shuts up for a couple seconds. I've got an idea as to the exact problem. Just wanted any mechanical advice. Looks like a few things need to be removed before you can even attempt to get the belt outta there.

Ya that's Leighla. She's an American Bully Boxer.

 

I would let it go and drive it for a while, maybe it will go away, could have gotten ecessively wet driving thru the puddles, needs to dry out

 

I can try that. I've been getting a ride to work last few days so I didn't risk any other potential wearing or damage. There's literally not a single thing online in regards to belt work for the 3rd gens. So frustrating. I'm good with mechanics but I'm not tryna remove half the front end of my year old truck lol I'll leave it to the pros.

 

OP sounds like you need a new skid plate... and a new belt!

 

It should be under warranty so probably best to let the dealer have a look.

 

Ya I'll try to bring it in tomorrow.

Some of those puddles were more like water crossings. So hopefully a new belt, clean the pulleys. Don't think my AC compressor ,alternator, or water pump pulleys would be going out in 27,000 miles. But I've been surprised before

 

My belt started squealing too. Chirps when I accelerate from stop then goes away. But really screams going up a steep hill. I don't go wheeling. So, no idea what started this. Tried belt conditioner. No help. Can't find any help online on how to adjust tensioner for 3rd gen. Less than 9000 miles.

 

As noted above, it’s still under warranty. Don’t try any more home remedies. Take it to the dealer.

 

There's a product, almost a fat wax-like crayon thing(yes, that's exactly what they call it lol)that dealerships/mechanics will use on squeaky belts. Never tried it but it does exist. May or may not be what you need.

 

For that, I just use a bar of soap. Don't think that is the issue here though.

 

Mine started doing the same thing yesterday. I am also seeing a weird wobble on the upper pulley. What came of this? Im a 2018 SR with 48k.

 

Also just started having this issue, suspect the upper (driver side) idler pulley is the culprit. I'm getting close to my 20k service, so I'll probably just have them look at it then.

 

Did you ever figure out what it was?

 

I’ve had this issue as well. It started at around 18k miles, currently 26,000.

Squeal on and off, increases with acceleration (even while parked) and goes away when I spray water directly to the belt.

It still does it intermittently, especially after it rains or off-roading, which I can assume is the belt getting dirty.

I’ve researched this forum quite extensively and it has guided me to the high pressure fuel pump and pulley. I also have a slight play in the pulley, but others mention it’s normal.

Ultimately I believe it’s the belt - I mean, why else would the chirp stop when I spray water, right?

So, I went to the dealership and asked them to take a look at it. They quoted 135dlls for “diagnosis” plus parts - in case it wasn’t covered by warranty. By what I’ve read, the belt is NOT covered by warranty, only the pulleys up to 36k miles. I passed on their offer and just bought a new belt for 40 bucks.

What did you guys end up doing?

 

wobble likely means a bad bearing in the pulley.

 

Try this:
https://www.googleadservices.com/pa...wjalYHU5K_oAhUkL30KHdvkCNoQwg96BAgKEAs&adurl=

 

Mine is doing the same. And I noticed the pulley wobbly. Some people are experiencing the same and it the pulley going out already. I guess these are cheap bearings inside with less grease and it's probably all dried up. I ended up buying 2 pulley#2 and one pulley#1. Going to change them out this weekend since they are probably gonna go bad soon as 1 or 2 is already. I usually stick to oem but these ones are crap from Toyota or whoever manufacturer these oems for them cough China

 

How did it go? Did that fix your problem?