Help Scotty and moderators! I replaced the serpentine belt tensioner on my 1997 Ford Explorer, and now there is an annoying rattling noise when the truck is at idle. I looked under the hood, and the belt tensioner is bumping up against the stops and making that horrible noise. If I apply any throttle the noise stops, but it is very very annoying. Worst of all, the truck has to be used tomorrow morning and I need to have it fixed by then. Any help you can give me would be greatly appreciated
Try reinstalling it?
Yep, it still rattled. And it’s a brand new part too. It only rattles when I’m in gear, But when I just add like 100rpm or so, the noise stops.
Well there's always a handyman's helper duct tape if you can find a place you can use it for some insulation so it doesn't rattle go ahead and do that
Sounds like you got a defective part. Get another one with a limited, lifetime warranty.
I adjusted the idle up slightly, and the noise quieted down to where I can hardly hear it, so I’m going to call it fixed until it (or if) it starts up again. Sadly, I can return the part because my Dad and I tried to “fix” the part, and now we can return it... But for now it’s okay. Thanks for all of the answers!