it whistles when its cold out

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Dec 15, 2004 | 12:01 PM

Cool1996

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From: Livonia

it whistles when its cold out

i have a 1996 f-150 with a 302 and a 5-speed. when the truck is cold and it is cold outside, i get a really loud whistle noise from either the engine or the trans. it happens at 1500 and 3250 and 900rpm. not at all of them, it switches from one to the other. like it might do it at 900 or at idle, and i rev it up and it stops, then i will take off in 1st and it'll do it at 1500..... what could this be? i thought maybe it's the fan clutch but whaddya think. it sounds like its coming from the front of the vehicle

Dec 19, 2004 | 10:57 AM

1271WTN

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My 1996 F-150 makes the same noise under the same circumstances. I have the 302 but an automatic trans. It hasn't been a problem other than annoying, since the whistling goes away once the engine has warmed up. My thoughts were along the same lines, transmission or fan clutch. Also thought maybe a vaccum leak somewhere. I'm planning on having the trans. serviced soon, I'll check with them about possible cause. I'll post results.

Dec 19, 2004 | 03:39 PM

hladun

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My 95 with a 302 squeals because the belt slips on the fan pulley when its cold. I have changed the belt and the tensioner with no success. Problem is that the fan pulley is driven with the back of the belt and the belt contact area is just too small to pass the necessary torque. Another fine Ford feature.

Dec 19, 2004 | 11:01 PM

nailhead

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Try throwing another serpentine belt on it, get a good one from Gates or Goodyear. While you are at it check for bearing wear on the plastic idler wheel, this also can cause some racket.

I to had the whistle problem when cold on my '95, this cured the problem.

Dec 23, 2004 | 07:31 AM

nukeengr

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'99 Ranger Sqeals in the front-end too!

I've got a 1999 Ranger that makes this squeal too. It drives me nuts when it makes the noise, typically in the cold air. I know the belt was replaced at 60,000, now the truck has about 75,000. Could it still be the belt making the noise or is it something else? Thanks.

Dec 23, 2004 | 03:14 PM

topohill

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From: Pennsylvania

I am not sure that we are describing the same sound, but I have a "whine" that occurs mostly during cold weather and I found that it is coming from the alternator. I was able to determine this by using a stethoscope. I also found that while the whine is going on, the alternator's output is considerably higher than when there is no whine.