I'm clueless on this one. I drove my truck one day, a 1997 F-150 4x4 SC with a 4.6L 281cc engine, and the next morning it starts whining like crazy under the hood, even when I turn the wheel. It gets quieter when it warms up, and the steering noise goes away about that time. But the sound continues and gets louder when I accelerate. Any body have any idea what this could be about?

 

Oh maybe santa installed a new Kenne Bell blower on your truck . Do you notice a huge power difference??

haha just kidding, but have you taken a look at the serpentine belt yet? How many miles are on this sucker? A stretchy or worn belt can cause some squeaking/whining if not properly taken care of. That's my best guess.

 

I've got over 135,000 on it right now. I couldn't tell how the belt looked when I popped the hood earlier, it was too dark outside. But I'll take a look at that.

 

Check the tension pulley for the belt, You will need to remove the belt to check it. Could also be your AC clutch, my experience is they either fail to engage or fall apart, not make noise you are hearing.

 

Thanks guys............I've got tomorrow off, so I will be taking a look at it.

 

I had noise like this and putting Lucas Power Steering fluid in cured it right away.

 

Is there anything else anybody can think of? I'm going to check it all out tomorrow, but I don't want to sink a whole bunch of money into trying to fix it and it not work.

 

I also have a very loud whine a startup it is definately power steering on mine i have tried lucas before but just lately and only when its cold out mine only lasts for like 30 seconds then its fine. Let us know if you find out what it is

 

Low Fluid Level?

 

mine does it for about 30 seconds when it's cold also. definitly the power steering on mine.

 

I tried putting in more power steering fluid. It helped for a little bit, but it seems I have a leak somewhere in there. I put the fluid in a week ago, and the power steering tank was alomst half gone. I just noticed that today, I'm not sure where the leak would be coming from, though. Any suggestions?

 

I recently had this problem on my 98 150 4.6 . It got worse and eventually sounded as if the motor was falling out. I Had it towed to the mechanic and he said the bearings were going out in the alternator, (where the pulley wheel is) The alternator was comig apart. He replaced it, and no more whining or grinding. Hope that helps, but also hope thats not it, cost me $380!! + towing.

 

Hi monsterarmor and welcome

The alternators on newer vehicles sure aren't cheap

Dunnage a common place for a leak is the power steering pump. I've replaced quite a few of them.

 

Dave,
I just happen to be looking at another site and saw there was a TSB released about a whining power steering pump. It said the bulletin # was 17731. Is there any way to look that up and find out what it says besides the "whining power steering pump"?

 

You looked at another site???
GASP!
lol

OASIS SPECIAL SERVICE MESSAGE NUMBER: 17731
MESSAGE TITLE: 1997-2003 F-150 AND 2004 F-150 HERITAGE - WHINE FROM POWER STEERING

APPLICABLE VEHICLES :
1997 - 2003 TRUCK : 00029 F-SERIES LD
2004 TRUCK : 00161 F-SERIES (HERITAGE)

OASIS MESSAGE :
SOME 1997-2003 F-150 AND 2004 F-150 HERITAGE VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT AN
EXCESSIVE NOISE LEVEL (WHINE) FROM THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM DURING HIGH LOAD
CONDITIONS, SUCH AS WHEN HELD AGAINST THE STEERING STOPS. TO SERVICE, FIRST
PERFORM THE AIR PURGE PROCEDURE AS OUTLINED IN SECTION 211-00 OF THE WORKSHOP
MANUAL. IF THE WHINE IS STILL EXCESSIVE AFTER PURGING AIR FROM THE SYSTEM,
REPLACE THE EXISTING RESERVOIR CAP WITH A PRESSURIZED CAP (F65Z-3A006-AA).
THE NEW CAP PROVIDES AN ADDITIONAL 4 PSI TO THE HYDRAULIC SYSTEM WHICH HELPS
REDUCE NOISE.