I have a 1997 Ford Ranger 5 speed RWD with a 3.0L V6 engine. I have had a problem for about two years now of a constant engine squeak. It seems to go away with belt dressing so I figured it had something to do with the belt and the pulleys. I changed the idler pulley, the tensioner pulley, and the belt and it still squeaks. I then thought to check the A/C compressor clutch and it seemed to be coming from there, I sprayed some WD-40 on the clutch and the engine was perfectly quiet. I did this again a few more times and each time it quieted the engine. I was almost certain it was the A/C compressor clutch but after I changed it last night it was quiet, but this morning it started squeaking again. At this point I can't think of what the problem might be. Please post any information that might lead to the discovery of my annoying engine squeak problem.

 

After further research, I found this thread:

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/8...of-engine.html


Sounds like my problem. Engine has 106,000 miles on it, I guess its time. I bucked up and got the Motorcraft one from Rock Auto.

 

You have ascertain where the noise is coming from. Since yours is the 3.0L, it could be a belt/pulley issue, or it could be a camshaft synchronizer issue.

See: https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/8...ing-noise.html

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/2...placement.html

 

Alright, so take the belt off and start it up and if it squeaks, check the Cam Sensor ?

 

you can also check the alternator- mine squeaked due to dry bearings.

 

My tensioner separated the same day I posted the first time and it was angled out toward the radiator and it was kicking my belt off. I changed the tensioner and the squeak is gone.

 

I had a squeak in a 98 ranger with a 4.0 six, it was the under the intake manifold were the pickup was for the electronic ignition, looks like half a distributor (were a distributor used to be in older models), I had tried everything idler puller tension-er , new alternator, I was way off..

 

Is that what they call a cam position sensor?

 

I think that is what is called it runs off of the cam, fortunatly now they have them available aftermarket, when mine went out it was 295.00 from the dealer