Howling Engine Noise...HELP!!!
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New User
Joined: Mar 2002
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Howling Engine Noise...HELP!!!
I have this problem in my 1998 Ford Explorer. It happens sporadically and recently it has been happening a lot.
I am driving along and all of a sudden, there is this LOUD howling noise coming from the engine. Sounds like somebody blowing over a beer bottle, but louder. If I "TAP" the gas, it goes away.
While the engine is howling, the car starts to run rough. It feels like it's going to die. Then when I hit the gas, it goes away.
A friend of mine told me it may be the Idle Air Control Valve so I took the hose off and cleaned it with Air Intake Cleaner, it didn't help at all. Next, I waited for the noise, pulled my car to the side and listened to see if I could see where it's coming from. The noise seems to resonate through the whole engine area so it's hard to tell. The loudest area was near the Air Filter assembly believe it or not, but there is nothing mechanical there that would cause that noise. I'm assuming that the IAC is making the noise and it's sending the noise through the air filter area?
Anybody have any experience with this? Do I need to replace the IAC?
Thanks in advance...this thing has been happening for months and it's driving me CRAZY!!!!
I am driving along and all of a sudden, there is this LOUD howling noise coming from the engine. Sounds like somebody blowing over a beer bottle, but louder. If I "TAP" the gas, it goes away.
While the engine is howling, the car starts to run rough. It feels like it's going to die. Then when I hit the gas, it goes away.
A friend of mine told me it may be the Idle Air Control Valve so I took the hose off and cleaned it with Air Intake Cleaner, it didn't help at all. Next, I waited for the noise, pulled my car to the side and listened to see if I could see where it's coming from. The noise seems to resonate through the whole engine area so it's hard to tell. The loudest area was near the Air Filter assembly believe it or not, but there is nothing mechanical there that would cause that noise. I'm assuming that the IAC is making the noise and it's sending the noise through the air filter area?
Anybody have any experience with this? Do I need to replace the IAC?
Thanks in advance...this thing has been happening for months and it's driving me CRAZY!!!!
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New User
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Howling Engine Noise...HELP!!!
Oh, one more thing about the noise. I said that it feels like it's going to die. That's only when I come to a stop light.
If it's howling while I'm going 40 mph, it still drives fine, but the howling is really loud and annoying. Then I tap the gas pedal and it goes away.
If the car is howling while I come to a stop, the car will feel like it's going to die. It's died on me about 3 times in 3 months at a stop light. It usually starts right back up without a problem whatsoever.
Any opinions would be appreciated.
If it's howling while I'm going 40 mph, it still drives fine, but the howling is really loud and annoying. Then I tap the gas pedal and it goes away.
If the car is howling while I come to a stop, the car will feel like it's going to die. It's died on me about 3 times in 3 months at a stop light. It usually starts right back up without a problem whatsoever.
Any opinions would be appreciated.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 5,859
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From: USA
Howling Engine Noise...HELP!!!
Its a moaning type sound ?
What it is, is the high pressure hose from your pw pump.causing a harmonic resonance which sounds like someone moaning under your hood.
There was a TSB, not a recall, just a technical service Bulletin
on it
They also found that the a/c has a hand in this noise also if it is running at the same time.
the fix was to replace the hose (newer one ahs a metal bracket that connects to the frame).
Rich
Ford Trucks Built Tough!
not with rocks
Watch out "X" Mayor of Truckville
What it is, is the high pressure hose from your pw pump.causing a harmonic resonance which sounds like someone moaning under your hood.
There was a TSB, not a recall, just a technical service Bulletin
on it
They also found that the a/c has a hand in this noise also if it is running at the same time.
the fix was to replace the hose (newer one ahs a metal bracket that connects to the frame).
Rich
Ford Trucks Built Tough!
not with rocks
Watch out "X" Mayor of Truckville
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 580
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From: Kelseyville, CA
Howling Engine Noise...HELP!!!
The power steering pump hose TSB is for a howling noise when turning sharply. It is more pronounced when turning left. It will not cause the engine to die. All it causes is a resonant frequency that is annoying. A bad IAC valve can cause the dieing problem at idle.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 5,859
Likes: 7
From: USA
Howling Engine Noise...HELP!!!
Its not just for turning sharply ,it also applies to this persons problem.
He may have both problems, the pws hose and the IAC valve .
My explorer had the pws hose problem and it did it whether I turned or not turning. Was replaced under warranty.
Rich
Ford Trucks Built Tough!
not with rocks
Watch out "X" Mayor of Truckville
He may have both problems, the pws hose and the IAC valve .
My explorer had the pws hose problem and it did it whether I turned or not turning. Was replaced under warranty.
Rich
Ford Trucks Built Tough!
not with rocks
Watch out "X" Mayor of Truckville
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Elder User
Joined: Sep 2000
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From: Kelseyville, CA
Howling Engine Noise...HELP!!!
But when your car started to howl, did it start to run rough and start to die? I tried to locate the old TSB regarding the power steering hose but it has disappeared from Alldata. I remember looking at it a couple of years ago. At that time the noise was traced to an undersized hose and the lack of a bracket to secure the hose.
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New User
Joined: Mar 2002
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From: Pacifica USA
Howling Engine Noise...HELP!!!
Any more info on this one?? I have had this same problem for about 6 months now. Several of my clients are Ford dealerhsip and they have been little to no help in fixing it. They said it could be a bad plug or wire, but it was neither. Any info on the TSB or this problem/fixes would be greatly appreciated.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 5,859
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From: USA
Howling Engine Noise...HELP!!!
Yes!
Here is the tsb that was mentioned ,thought to have disappeared
Tsb #98-21-1 it now supecedes 98-15-14
Has the all p/n's in it.
Its at alldata.com if your a member.
Rich
Ford Trucks Built Tough!
not with rocks
Watch out "X" Mayor of Truckville
Here is the tsb that was mentioned ,thought to have disappeared
Tsb #98-21-1 it now supecedes 98-15-14
Has the all p/n's in it.
Its at alldata.com if your a member.
Rich
Ford Trucks Built Tough!
not with rocks
Watch out "X" Mayor of Truckville
New User
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 1
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From: Highland USA
Howling Engine Noise...HELP!!!
Was wondering how you made out with this problem Jinx? I have the exact problem with my 98 Explorer..........In addition: I notice that the problem seems to be temperature related. Under 40F I don't seem to get the problem. Also I don't seem to get the problem when I initially start the truck and run it. But, if I turn the engine off for a short time, to run into a mini mart say... when I restart the truck the problem occurs. I've actually had the engine die when I come to a stop light while the whining is occuring.....Thanks for any feedback.
New User
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1
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From: Nashville USA
Howling Engine Noise...HELP!!!
Last summer as the temperatures started to rise, I started hearing this loid howling noise also on my 99 Ford Explorer. It only happened after the engine warmed up, stopped when I tapped on the accelerator and while driving. Took it in to a shop and they couldnt figure it out! It went away during the fall, winter and spring, but as soon as the temps reached around 80, it started all over again. This time is was worse and would actually cause the engine to die if I didnt munually manipulate the accelerator to keep it going. I got brave and started trouble shooting myself. I took off different parts one by one and then tested, nothing worked until I got to the valve behind the selinoid. I am not even sure what this valve is, maybe the idle air control????
I cleaned it with carb cleaner and put it back on and waaa laa, the noise is gone! I did have to reset the computer to get the idle to come back up a bit.
I am no mechanic, sorry for the igorance.
I cleaned it with carb cleaner and put it back on and waaa laa, the noise is gone! I did have to reset the computer to get the idle to come back up a bit.
I am no mechanic, sorry for the igorance.
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 580
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From: Kelseyville, CA
Howling Engine Noise...HELP!!!
Yup, what you cleaned was the Idle Air Control valve (IAC). Some people can get theirs to last for many more months by cleaning it, others aren't as fortunate. I have seen many posts regarding the howling IAC valve. Sometimes it turns in to a problem keeping the vehicle from idleing. Fortunately mine only howles. My idle is fine. I cleaned mine which took the howling away for the most part.
Junior User
Joined: Jul 2002
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Howling Engine Noise...HELP!!!
Sounds like the same problem I have having with my 98 4.0L OHV.
I get the loud vibrating noise at idle and maybe up to about 2000 rpm, but only when it is above 75-80 degrees. The noise sounds like it is coming from the air cleaner assembly. I had it into the dealer for a transmission fluid change and the tech said it is the idle air control valve. He said it is a very common problem for that year of vehicle.
I'm not having any trouble holding idle yet, so I will probably replace it when I start to have idle trouble. Right now, it's nothing more than an annoyance for me.
I get the loud vibrating noise at idle and maybe up to about 2000 rpm, but only when it is above 75-80 degrees. The noise sounds like it is coming from the air cleaner assembly. I had it into the dealer for a transmission fluid change and the tech said it is the idle air control valve. He said it is a very common problem for that year of vehicle.
I'm not having any trouble holding idle yet, so I will probably replace it when I start to have idle trouble. Right now, it's nothing more than an annoyance for me.