Notices
1997 - 2003 F150 1997-2003 F150, 1997-1999 F250LD, 7700 & 2004 F150 Heritage
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: Auxito

Squeal When Starting

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Aug 17, 2012 | 09:49 AM
  #1  
DavidS827's Avatar
DavidS827
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
Squeal When Starting

Hi Folks - I'm hoping someone can help. I have a squeal that I am pretty sure is coming from somewhere in the A/C compressor/pulley assembly. The trucks squeals on start up (more so when it is cold/damp outside) and then sometimes as I am driving. It doesn't matter if the a/c is on or off. I have also noticed that, while driving, the squeal occurs when I take my foot off the gas. At this point I have replaced the belt, the tensioner and the a/c pulley. I am about to change out the shims to see if that works, but also was wondering if it is possible for the clutch hub to wear down and go bad.

Thanks for your help!

Dave
 
Reply
Old Aug 17, 2012 | 01:37 PM
  #2  
Bluegrass 7's Avatar
Bluegrass 7
Lead Driver
15 Year Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 7,907
Likes: 143
Remove the belt and test feel each drive for roughness and resistance.
Likely the A/C clutch or, the Alternator or tension plulley if it's that loud.
Good luck.
 
Reply
Old Aug 17, 2012 | 05:40 PM
  #3  
stevenn1's Avatar
stevenn1
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 411
Likes: 2
From: KS
I would run it for a few seconds when belt is off, to rule out the chance of cam/crank position sensor.
 
Reply
Old Aug 17, 2012 | 06:56 PM
  #4  
RoscoeT's Avatar
RoscoeT
Freshman User
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
From: Alberta, That's in Canada
my 01 has a high pitch whine on a cold start. By cold start in Canada I mean below -30.

The first time I heard it I was worried. But then I saw 2 other f150s of the 97-03 flavor do the exact same thing so I just figured it was normal for that kind of cold.
 
Reply
Old Aug 18, 2012 | 09:20 AM
  #5  
DavidS827's Avatar
DavidS827
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
Thanks guys. I'll try those
 
Reply
Old Aug 18, 2012 | 09:40 AM
  #6  
coolguy1419's Avatar
coolguy1419
Tuned
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 407
Likes: 0
From: Rochester
I had the tensioner pulley on my 03 Supercrew go bad. It was whining like a power steering pump going out. It did it constantly though.
 
Reply
Old Aug 18, 2012 | 10:52 PM
  #7  
DavidS827's Avatar
DavidS827
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
Is it possible for the clutch hub to go bad?
 
Reply
Old Aug 23, 2012 | 12:00 PM
  #8  
DavidS827's Avatar
DavidS827
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
So I changed the shim in the clutch hub and got no difference. I took the belt off and the noise went away immediately. I spun all the pulleys and no resistance from any. The tensioner is new. The alternator is new. The belt is new. The ac clutch bearing is new and the shim is new. (not all of that has been replaced due to this problem by the way)

I did notice a little play in the water pump pulley but when I sit under the truck and listen for the noise it doesn't seem to be coming from there. I think the only other thing I could replace is the Idler pulley.

Do ac compressors squeal when they are going bad? It still blows super cold.

Thanks for any help. I am so frustrated with this now.
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

 Brett Foote
story-4

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-6

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
story-9

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
Old Aug 23, 2012 | 12:57 PM
  #9  
DavidS827's Avatar
DavidS827
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
Two more things that may help....1) the squeal is much worse when it's cold out. 2) it occurs on start up and on the deceleration of the engine or if I just barely rev the engine and hold it there.
 
Reply
Old Aug 23, 2012 | 03:59 PM
  #10  
Club Wagon's Avatar
Club Wagon
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,351
Likes: 8
Mysterious squeal complaints remind me of the ordeal I had to discover harmonic balancer at fault. Dealer & local recommended mechanics came up w/the usual suspects, but missed the rubber ring in crankshaft pulley.

Try painting a line across the rubber on harmonic balancer. After it squeals look to see if pulley has slipped by checking if paint still lines up.

In my case timing mark was nowhere close & pulley had slipped rearward until it rubbed against front of motor. The small misalignment made belt fight AC pulley producing squeal upon acceleration.
 
Reply
Old Aug 23, 2012 | 08:10 PM
  #11  
DavidS827's Avatar
DavidS827
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
Thanks Club. I'll try that. Do you remember how much it was to have it fixed?
 
Reply
Old Aug 23, 2012 | 09:36 PM
  #12  
Club Wagon's Avatar
Club Wagon
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,351
Likes: 8
After dealer & mechanics failed it became a DIY project. They're solutions were new belt, replace tensioner, suspect fan clutch.

Originally Posted by DavidS827
Thanks Club. I'll try that. Do you remember how much it was to have it fixed?
Correct harmonic balancer was a bit difficult to find & cost nearly $70. Also replaced seal behind it. Was quite a chore having had no experience w/4.6L, suspect w/special tools & experience & no surprises it could be R&R 2-3 hours.

Note; if that seal is leaking there's even more reason to suspect harmonic balancer.
 
Reply
Old Aug 24, 2012 | 12:36 PM
  #13  
DavidS827's Avatar
DavidS827
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
So no luck on the harmonic balancer. The line was right where it started. I even exchanged the old tensioner for a new one and replaced the idler pulley. I am all outta ideas.
 
Reply
Old Aug 24, 2012 | 04:36 PM
  #14  
kbsupercrew's Avatar
kbsupercrew
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 448
Likes: 1
Try marking the power steering pully, draw a line across the pully over shaft, see if your pully is slipping on the shaft
 
Reply
Old Aug 24, 2012 | 06:57 PM
  #15  
Lime1GT's Avatar
Lime1GT
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,354
Likes: 31
From: Winnipeg
Try shooting water from a spray bottle at each separate pulley to hear if the squeal changes pitch. Let belt dry between each check to get the squeal back. Watch you don't hurt yourself with the engine running.

It is possible for the grooves in any of the pulley's or balancer to wear to a point even new belts will squeal.
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:11 PM.

story-0
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

Slideshow: Top 10 Fords at 2026 Ford Nationals

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 11:10:08


VIEW MORE
story-1
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

Based on years of owning multiple modern Ford products.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 10:53:36


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

SPONSORED: From muddy boots to rain-soaked cargo, these upgrades address some of the most common frustrations Ford truck owners face every day.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-06-08 18:50:34


VIEW MORE
story-3
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

Here's everything you need to know about every Ford engine available for the 2026 model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-05 12:58:01


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-6
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-8
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE
story-9
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE