2011 Ram 1500 5.7L Engine Squeal

[500rider86]

Went to the dealership today to get a recall done for the shift column. Asked them to look at a squealing sound my engine was making. It had been a little bit loud for awhile, but now it's horrible. It squeals for about 5 minutes and once the engine is warm it goes away completely. Dealership said it was the water pump and idler pulley bearings. Both were wobbly when they pulled on them. I didn't think that was the issue as the previous owner said it had been replaced. I mentioned it to the service advisor, but I said id it's the issue lets fix it. To myself I was thinking who knows if the PO knew what he was doing. $540 later, I leave. Of course the engine was warm when they gave the truck back to me. Fast forward 4 hours later, I came out of a movie, cranked it up and it's still as loud as ever. I'm taking it back to them sat. Yeah! The pain continues. Anyway, I've included a super short 10 second youtube video of the sound. Has anyone had this issue and it not be the idler and water pump? All I can think it alternator or fan pulley. Hope it's not something in the engine.

Thanks to all who partake in the challenge of guess at that sound.

 

[buckeyexx]

Didn’t see it mentioned but a worn belt will cause a squealing noise. Do you know how old it is?


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[500rider86]

So I was told it was a water pump bearing and they wanted to replace the idler pulley as well. It still made the noise after they replaced it, but it was because the dealer left anti freeze all over the belt. Once it was cleaned off with brake cleaner, the noise went awey.

 

[mxblaster83]

So I was told it was a water pump bearing and they wanted to replace the idler pulley as well. It still made the noise after they replaced it, but it was because the dealer left anti freeze all over the belt. Once it was cleaned off with brake cleaner, the noise went awey.

You put any cleaner on a belt and the squeal will go away....for now...but always comes back...sounds like a pully bearing

 

[crackerjack1957]

If you put cleaner or anything on belt & noise is gone then it is belt or alignment related.
Accessory bearings not affected by this.
Continental belts are designed for belt noise if alignment is the issue.

 

[Ryan J]

Has it squealed anymore? Odd that it squeals and stops, squeals and stops. Mine is starting to squeal then completely go away. Hoping its just a belt. Used to it was just real humid mornings or after it set for 4 or 5 days. Now its pretty frequent.

 

[500rider86]

Not since the antifreeze was wiped off the belt. So I guess the original problem was tensioner and water pump bearing. Mine started the squeal only when cold. Over the course of 8k miles it got worst and worst and then was continuous. I believe 100% now it was a bearing. If it was really both the idle pulley and waterpump I’m not sure. Just what I was told.