I just recently bought an '03 3500 2WD with the CTD and the first time I start the truck in the morning it makes a squealing noise for about 1/4 mile, then it doesn't do it for the rest of the day. The noise doesn't sound like a belt and the belts all appear to be in good condition. If I let the truck idle the noise is quieter and increases with engine speed. It almost sounds like a bearing but I'm not sure. This is my first diesel and I'm not very familar with them. I'm thinking the noise has something to do with the turbo but I'm not sure. What do I need to check? Anybody know what this might be or have the same issue? Thanks for your help

-Steve

 

Mine does it too in the morning until you get the truck under load. I think it is the alternator bearing but not positive. I thought I was the only one too man so now that makes two of us. Now I hope someone has had the same problem and has an answer for us. Take care. Aaron

 

You could remove your serpentine belt and then start your truck to see if the sound is there or not. You'll probably get a check engine light because the alternator isn't spinning but it might be worth it to see if the sound disappears. If it does then you know it's probably an accessory bearing like fitzy is eluding to. If the sound is gone, reinstall the belt and then run the engine again. If the sound comes back then you know for sure it's somewhere in the belt.

 

Try a new "softer" belt. Sounds like the alt is putting out a lot of juice to recharge the battery right after cold startup. That's when the alt works the hardest. Once the belt warms up, it grips a bit better. I put a topcog on my old 91 CTD and that fixed it right up. Lots of the belts these days are rather hard compund to get more miles before they go out.

 

Early 03's had a top alternator bracker that was prone to cracking. Check it to make sure this is not your problem. There was a TSB out on this problem. Some dealers would fix it under warrenty, others wouldn't. DC does have an improved version of the bracket which eliminated the problem.

 

Thanks for all the input guys. I'll check all of these things this weekend and hopefully solve the problem. I hope I get it right on the first try, seeing as how it won't do it after the 1st startup

 

I pulled the serpentine belt off yesterday morning and cranked it without the belt on. No noise. I went ahead and installed a new belt and when I cranked it up this morning the new belt had solved the squealing problem! Thanks guys

 

Check that old belt closely. Make sure it hasn't started to wear on one side or edge of the belt. It might be the ideler wheel or the altenator if it is