torquemonkey
Dedicated LVC Member
I have a '97 Mark VIII LSC (braggin') that developed a rather annoying dash rattle. I had replaced the accessory belt as it was beginning to look bad. Soon after I had noticed a decided changed at idle under load.
After a week or so of noticing that the A/C wasn't keeping up w/ ambient temp. A dash rattle soon crept into the picture. I charged the sys w/ an 18oz bottle of R134a and oil. The gauge inline w/ the charge kit verified that I needed the entire bottle. A marked improvement in the idle and discharge air in the cabin area. However, the dash rattle came back soon and coincidently my idler pulley started to squeak. After a week of work, my schedule opened up and I had picked up a new idler pulley and belt tensioner. Changed them out after I had gotten home. (NOTE; LET THE ENGINE COOL DOWN FIRST)
Taking a scientific approach, I retraced my steps to where I first heard the dash rattle. So at the 1p.m. I went through the local Taco Bell drive thru. No more rattle! And it seems that the NVH I had felt, improved as well!
Goes to show how stuff works as a system. When one component breaks down, the rest are sure to follow.
By the way, the torque specs on the belt tensioner to engine fasteners are 15-20ft/lbs. I would think the idler pulley is the same.
After a week or so of noticing that the A/C wasn't keeping up w/ ambient temp. A dash rattle soon crept into the picture. I charged the sys w/ an 18oz bottle of R134a and oil. The gauge inline w/ the charge kit verified that I needed the entire bottle. A marked improvement in the idle and discharge air in the cabin area. However, the dash rattle came back soon and coincidently my idler pulley started to squeak. After a week of work, my schedule opened up and I had picked up a new idler pulley and belt tensioner. Changed them out after I had gotten home. (NOTE; LET THE ENGINE COOL DOWN FIRST)
Taking a scientific approach, I retraced my steps to where I first heard the dash rattle. So at the 1p.m. I went through the local Taco Bell drive thru. No more rattle! And it seems that the NVH I had felt, improved as well!
Goes to show how stuff works as a system. When one component breaks down, the rest are sure to follow.
By the way, the torque specs on the belt tensioner to engine fasteners are 15-20ft/lbs. I would think the idler pulley is the same.