When I started my 1998 Explorer XLT last night a squeal started up as well.
Ok, I guessed the fan/accessory/serpentine belt (what are they called these days?) is loose, also confirmed as my "volts" gauge was indciating towards the low side.
Lifted the hood this morning - and found I could deflect the belt several inches on the longest side (near the a/c compressor) with what looks like an tension adjustment idler under the alternator moving back and forth on it's arm as I deflected the belt.
Question: is this idler the tension adjuster?
If yes, is it manually set or under spring tension to automatically keep the belt tight?
If it's spring tension, then I'm guessing that it's not repairable and will need to be replaced?
Any help appreciated, it's Saturday morning here (Australia) so the Ford Dealer is shut, I'm 130km's away from home at my workplace so I really need to know is there anything I can do to get myself home on Sunday night after my shift ends or will it be a matter of waiting until Monday when the dealer opens?
Cheers,
Steve