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Rhythmic Chirping noise

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Old Feb 7, 2021 | 03:41 PM
  #1  
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Rhythmic Chirping noise

Hey all,

I have a chirping noise coming from my 7.3 over the past 2 days or so. When I am parked or idle you can’t hear it. But the moment I start from stop you can hear it. And it continues as long as I am moving and have my foot on the gas pedal. I have a new belt.

could use some pointers on how to diagnose and determine source of noise. Especially cause I can only hear it when driving.
 
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Old Feb 7, 2021 | 04:04 PM
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Does it sound like it’s coming from the engine bay or underneath the cab possibly?
 
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Old Feb 7, 2021 | 05:14 PM
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Could be your U joints since it only does it under load
 
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Old Feb 7, 2021 | 05:37 PM
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So it’s from the engine bay for sure. I got some belt condition and sprayed it and I think I have pinpointed the noise to the pulley at the top on the right side. The conditioner turned the noise from chirping to almost sound like an air leak. Then it went back to a chirp noise after 30 minutes.
 
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Old Feb 7, 2021 | 08:05 PM
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Originally Posted by Jeremy Mathews
So it’s from the engine bay for sure. I got some belt condition and sprayed it and I think I have pinpointed the noise to the pulley at the top on the right side. The conditioner turned the noise from chirping to almost sound like an air leak. Then it went back to a chirp noise after 30 minutes.
Sounds like your vacuum pump. Change it before it fails. These trucks aren't fun to drive with out power brakes.
 
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Old Feb 7, 2021 | 08:32 PM
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After doing my little "conditioner test" and researching most all afternoon, I do agree and think its my vacuum pump. Any suggestions for the best way to diagnose? From what I see, my best bet is to pull the serpentine belt and turn the pulley on the pump manually.
Also, from other videos it would seem I am listening for a "weak clown horn" sort of sound?
 
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Old Feb 7, 2021 | 09:23 PM
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Originally Posted by Jeremy Mathews
After doing my little "conditioner test" and researching most all afternoon, I do agree and think its my vacuum pump. Any suggestions for the best way to diagnose? From what I see, my best bet is to pull the serpentine belt and turn the pulley on the pump manually.
Also, from other videos it would seem I am listening for a "weak clown horn" sort of sound?
You can disconnect the main line and put a vacuum gauge on it. I think it's supposed to be around 18. I'm not positive about that though.
 
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Old Feb 7, 2021 | 09:46 PM
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Take the belt off and start the engine and listen for the noise. If no noise your on the right track about the pulley's. Sound can bounce around and be hard to locate.
 
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Old Feb 7, 2021 | 11:31 PM
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Fleet runner belt. Idlers. Tensioner. Vacuum pump. Your problems will probably be fixed.

Do a high side PS pump line while in there!
 
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Old Feb 8, 2021 | 06:49 PM
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High pressure PS line is cantilevered off the fitting, fatigues from vibration, and fractures. Suddenly reverting to full manual steering is not fun, but survivable.

Vacuum pump failing is worse. No vacuum means double-footed leg press on the brake pedal, and you're still way short of full stopping power. Vacuum pump bearings may be failing, but still putting out full vacuum. You might want to check the "neck" on the pump, between the "flying saucer" pump section on top, and the bearing / cam housing on bottom. Mine cracked and broke there from fatigue. Symptom was a "ticking" rather than "chirp"... until it cracked all the way across and I had no brake boost.

But "chirp" sounds like a bind in rotation, or a loose spot in belt tension, allowing belt to slip.
 
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Old Feb 8, 2021 | 08:21 PM
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Okay thanks guys! I am going to pull the belt and see what I can hear.
I started it up this morning and now I can hear a squeal at idle and while driving. So its no longer just at load, and no longer a chirp. Now it sounds like a warn belt would sound, but I already checked the belt.
I have a buddy coming with a vacuum gauge and I will probably try to get my hands on a pulley removal tool. (I heard you can do "free" rentals at auto stores).
 
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Old Feb 9, 2021 | 07:34 AM
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You could just change out the pump... they come with the pulley attached if you get the right one.
 
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Old Feb 9, 2021 | 08:11 AM
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Originally Posted by Jarrett Campbell
You could just change out the pump... they come with the pulley attached if you get the right one.
I did notice that, and considered it because it makes my life a ton easier. But the OEM part didn't come with the pulley on it already (at least my local dealer listed it without). Do you guys have any experience with the aftermarket ones? I tend to try and stick to OEM if I can.
 
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Old Feb 9, 2021 | 08:35 AM
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Originally Posted by Jeremy Mathews
I did notice that, and considered it because it makes my life a ton easier. But the OEM part didn't come with the pulley on it already (at least my local dealer listed it without). Do you guys have any experience with the aftermarket ones? I tend to try and stick to OEM if I can.
Look at RiffRaff diesel.
 
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Old Feb 9, 2021 | 09:20 AM
  #15  
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I will definitely check out riffraff.
Update to this, I was able to get inside and actually do a full check. I was wrong. it seems the be the pulley just below the vacuum pump pulley. I googles a pulley diagram of the 96 f350 and I think its power steering?
 
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