Here is my problem: i started my 1998 mercury mountaineer with a v-8 one morning and the engine had a chirp sound when starting, so i figured it was the serpentine belt and replaced the belt, i checked all the pulleys and all was okay so i know it wasnt the pulelys the next morning i start the truck again and same thing happened again a loud chirping sound when the engine was idling, so i removed the belt to make sure it wasnt the belt or pulleys and still the same sound so i tried hearing where it was coming from it seems to be coming from the middle of the engine and all i ican think about was lifters or timing chain, i never heard of this noise on a 302 v-8 so this is really new to me, the truck has 38,000 miles on it, i was wondering if anyone ran into this problem before i bring it to the dealer and spend big $$$ for something small or something thats not a big deal. I appreciate any help...

Thanks! Brian

 

Welcome to FTE. Is the noise continous or just at start up? A lifter will make a tapping sound every time the cam goes around. The timing chain is in the front of the engine. If it continous could it be a bearing in the alternator, power steering pump etc.? The pulleys could turn when you checked without the belt, but at faster speeds the bearings could be making noise. Without hearing it I am just guessing. Good luck

 

Thanks trike for the response, the noise is only at cold startup and goes away when the engine is warming up, someone told me could be the camshaft sensor because the noise is coming right from where the distributor would be i specifically listened to it today and found thats where the noise is coming from so i think thats what my problem is but not 100% certain but i will wait and see if anyone else posts anything...

Thanks to all for the help!

 

well the ignition is distributorless in a 98, but at 38,000 a lifter tick would be uncommon, unless you are at the north pole starting your truck once a week, IMO. I have heard that the timing chain has been an issue for some, but not personally

 

thanks NHFIRE for the reply. the timing chain issue has been a factor for some i heard too but the ford service techs. state that the timing chain will make noise all the time not just when cold so they told me that it wasnt that, i read a forum in here that MIC98XLT had a problem with his wife's mercury mountaineer v-8 with a chirping sound coming from where the distributor should be, i placed a stetheschope and its coming right from underneath the coil packs so i am assuming its that the cam sensor isnt that much only $50.00 from ford so its worth the shot to try and see what happens but if anyone else has information on a problem like this please post it i appreciate any help. thank a bunch to alll!!!

 

I dont want to be an *** or offend anyone. But the only time i ever heard a chirp was when i blew a valve and the combustion would blow out the top of a the carb. or these days intake. Now if you had a sticky valve at start up , might explain things. but only 38,000 this is 2 new for stuff like that to happen.

So you are trying to tell me the sensor is buggered, so it gives bad readings to the computer, which in turn fouls the timing which then, makes the valves go out of sink and thus a chirping sound is heard. no thats not it.

you said you hear it where the distributor is supposed to be. What about a cam bearing ??

interested in hearing about the solution on this one

good luck

HAMM

 

Thanks for the reply HAMM, i diagnosed the problem really good and seems as though the first scenerio was the right one, the CAM SENSOR is the problem the magnet that is suppose to be mounted on the SENSOR it was free on the shaft and everytime th evehicle would start cold it would chirp like crazy, removed the sensor and installed a OEM FORD sensor and there we go the chirp is gone what a amazing finish to a annoying chirp all this for $50.00 NO LABOR of course i installed it myself, thanks to all for the help and hopefully this will help others with the CHIRPING problem in their 302 V-8 motor.

Brian

 

Thanks for the reply HAMM, i diagnosed the problem really good and seems as though the first scenerio was the right one, the CAM SENSOR is the problem the magnet that is suppose to be mounted on the SENSOR it was free on the shaft and everytime th evehicle would start cold it would chirp like crazy, removed the sensor and installed a OEM FORD sensor and there we go the chirp is gone what a amazing finish to a annoying chirp all this for $50.00 NO LABOR of course i installed it myself, thanks to all for the help and hopefully this will help others with the CHIRPING problem in their 302 V-8 motor.

Brian

 

AWESOME !!!!!

Would have never figured a sensor being the source of a problem like that. You got to love it when the job is as easy as that.

Learn something new everyday cheers

 

Yeah HAMM its funny how a little sensor would be the cause of a stupid sound but sometimes we think its something big and its not thank god thats over....