Hey I'm new so stick with me. I got a 96 ranger ext. cab with 78K the 3.0 and auto trans and I just noticed a chirping coming from the engine. This being my baby I immediately popped the hood and started looking around. The sound is defiantly NOT coming from the belt (5k on it) or pulleys but rather from inside the engine, more towards the back. After its been running for a while it seems to disappear but I'm afraid this may be a sign of something bigger to come. A friend said that it sounded like it could be something like a cam bearing but neither of us knows for sure. I am real reluctant to drive anywhere for fear of it getting worse. Oh and one last thing, I need to chang my oil soon and i wanted to know if anybody has any suggestions on the best grade and type. I'm currently using Quaker State 5W-30, i think. Any help would be GREATLY appreciated. Oh and BTW, I love this site! All kinds of good stuff.

 

First, welcome to FTE!!!!!!!

The sound you are describing could be coming from the IAC valve, they have been known to make a noise like you
are describing. First, try cleaning it, to see if that helps..
It's mounted on the throttle body, is cylindrical shaped, with an electrical plug on it...

 

Welcome to FTE!

Like Bob says, you want to check your Idle Air Control Valve (IAC) for the noise. It's one possible culprit.

Also, I've read where the camshaft sycnhronizer shaft assembly can also make a similar chirping noise.

As for motor oil, you want to continue to use 5W-30 weight, there are many fine brands, I personally use Castrol GTX which gets very good reviews.

 

I bought a Hayns repair book at auto zone and looked into it some more today and it is defiantly not the IAC valve. The sound is coming from under the coil pack on the passenger side so i think Rockledge is right about the camshaft sycnhronizer so we are going look at that on sat. Oh and back to the oil thing, its always had regular oil in it as far as I have known so is it bad to switch to synthetic with 78K?

 

You should have no po problems switching to synthetic oil at 78K.

 

I looked at the synchronizer sensor and it looked fine so I figured it was the shaft and I didn’t want to mess with that so I took it to the local ford dealer and needless to say $426 later I have a new synchronizer and sensor. They gave me the old ones and the synchronizer makes the chirping sound when you turn it with your hand and it's hard to turn so i guess the bearings went bad in it. Oh well. Thanks for your help everybody.

 

I have a 2002 Taurus 3.0 that starting making the same noise about a month ago. I thought it was a belt needed replaceing or an alternator starting to go out. I pulled off the belt and all pulleys turned free and smooth. I'm at 44k by the way. Now, I do notice the chirping is coming from the transmission side of the engine. Sounds like it is coming from what looks like the Thermostat housing. It chirps when it shifts also, and sometimes when just sitting idling it chirps, and sometimes not. Also, my engine is not running as smooth as it did.

How big a job is it to change that cam synchronizer? I've never worked on newer engines, only up through the end of 70's early 80's.

thanks, Steve

 

Hi Steve, welcome to FTE!

Assuming your 3.0L is the "Vulcan" OHV design (as opposed to the DOHC Duratec design), then the camshaft sensor/synchronizer repair is discussed in very good detail in this thread:

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/s...hreadid=202004