1997 Explorer Idling, and serp. belt

Hi this is my first post.

I have a 1997 Ford Explorer.4wd. It has been running really rough.

4 liter 6 Cylinder.4wd.

I am expecting an IAC Valve issue. I was think that the belt might also be causing the problem. I purchased a belt from a store, and with cursing and swearing. I got it on right.

The first time it had popped right off. The second time I put it back on, It didn't seem to be tense enough for all the parts to spin.

I drove the truck out, about 2 blocks. The steering was ok, as long as i didn't drive too slow. It had some issues with turning, as it felt as if the power-steering had been coming on and off. Another post in the fordtrucks forum suggested that there might be air in the lines because of turning the wheel when the pump ins't running.

The engine is running with bad idling like a diesel. I took it apart this morning, and not having driven anywhere, I am not sure if the steering is any better. It is stil running rough. Is the fact that I put the belt on when its cold have anything to do with it?

Would driving it around for a time help?? I am worried that I will get the truck so far ad not be able to get home

The other part is, is what is enough tension? I pulled it the tension back to tight, and did up the bolt to tighten it down. But when i restarted it, it seemed to be running rough as well.

I tested the IAC valve, and I am getting voltage to it, as well as a resistance.I haven't had time to pull it apart as I haven much warm weather to work with. So it could the fact that there is crap in the little valve area. But haven't gotten there yet.

Like I said elsewhere your new belt may be a little too long. Others have had similar problems with aftermarket belts. If you are having a lot of trouble getting the belt on did you remove the air duct and use a cheater bar? I use a three foot length of pipe over my rachet wrench. If I recall correctly the tension adjuster is over on the left and a bit more difficult to get to than on the earlier Explorers. Supposedly, according to Hayne's, there are wear marks on the belt tensioner but I've never seen any.

To bleed any air from your power steering you should only have to turn the steering wheel back and forth several times while parked with the engine running.

As for the IAC it's very easy to remove--just two 10mm screws. I find it easier to disconnect the wiring too and take it to the bench. I cleaned mine with carb cleaner and it was better but then I sprayed a little WD-40 in there and it seems AOK now. Also, check your air cleaner and vacuum lines. If you have loose connections on the vacuum cluster on the intake manifold you may have a bad vacuum modulator on your transmission (if it's auto). That would also be indicated by a loss of transmission fluid. Are you losing coolant? An internal coolant leak could cause it to run rough. Cleaning the throttle body and air flow sensor (be very gentle) might help too.

I'd say only if you didn't get it aligned properly due to numb fingers.

The few times I've read about the belt tension being suspect it turned out that the belt was too long or too worn. I don't recall ever reading about anyone having to replace the tensioner but the guys on the ford-truck forum suspect the tensioner pulley.