My Ranger with about 108,000 miles has developed a terrible belt squeal. I replaced the idler wheel and the belt tensioner, but that didn't help. I even tried another belt and it didn't help either. I can't find any slack in the water pump, alternator, etc. Anyone have this problem. I'm starting to suspect the water pump may lbe tearing up and causing the belt to slip. Belt dressing only seem to make the problem worse. Any thoughts? I hate to spend the money on a new water pump if nothing's wrong with the old one.

 

You may have a syncronizer issue, it can sound like a belt that never goes away. Try removing belt and start engine if noise still present look at replacing the syncro. Very common with 3.0 liter.