Notices
Pre-Power Stroke Diesel (7.3L IDI & 6.9L) Diesel Topics Only

squealing question

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old May 22, 2008 | 10:23 PM
  #1  
ghunt's Avatar
ghunt
Thread Starter
|
Postmaster
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 3,724
Likes: 0
From: Clarksburg WV
squealing question

At higher RPM's, something on my engine emits a loud "shriek." I popped the hood the other day and revved it by hand, and it sure sounds like the alternator is making the noise.

If I take the alternator in to someplace that does free alternator testing and they run it on one of those machines, would it make that same squealing noise? I just want to isolate the noise and see if that's it.
 
Reply
Old May 22, 2008 | 10:31 PM
  #2  
George D.'s Avatar
George D.
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 2,207
Likes: 1
From: Las vegas
It might. Does it sound like a belt squeeling or are you thinking the bearings are going out? If you think its the belt pull the belt off it and see how hard the pully is to turn.

You can try putting a screw driver on the alternater and put your ear on the handle of the screw driver to listen for it, or one of thouse stephiscope deallies.
 
Reply
Old May 22, 2008 | 10:57 PM
  #3  
ghunt's Avatar
ghunt
Thread Starter
|
Postmaster
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 3,724
Likes: 0
From: Clarksburg WV
I don't think it's the belt squealing because it's basically a constant sound once you get above a certain RPM. Also I had the belt slip a bit awhile back (due to some misapplied wd40) and it sounded different than this.
 
Reply
Old May 22, 2008 | 11:04 PM
  #4  
matts156's Avatar
matts156
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 566
Likes: 3
From: New Jersey
Club FTE Silver Member

It may squeal on the test platform if the bearing is starting to fail, but those things don't put much lateral tension on the bearing, at least not as much as your fan belt does, so it might not squeal until the bearing is really starting to go out.
 
Reply
Old May 23, 2008 | 06:41 AM
  #5  
mistakenID's Avatar
mistakenID
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,627
Likes: 0
From: West Valley Utah
Use a piece of hose as a stethoscope, like a piece of 5/8 heater hose or chunk of garden hose. Raise the rpm's up so you hear the noise and hold the end of the hose around where you think the noise is. You will find the noise quick!

A piece of hose will even isolate a noisy rocker without taking of the valve cover.
 
Reply
Old May 24, 2008 | 02:29 AM
  #6  
ghunt's Avatar
ghunt
Thread Starter
|
Postmaster
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 3,724
Likes: 0
From: Clarksburg WV
Well, I'll try that, although the last couple times I tried to pinpoint a noise like that I wasn't very successful.
 
Reply
Old May 24, 2008 | 09:45 PM
  #7  
ghunt's Avatar
ghunt
Thread Starter
|
Postmaster
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 3,724
Likes: 0
From: Clarksburg WV
I took a piece of pipe today, maybe 8 inches to a foot long, and held it near a few things and tried to pinpoint the noise but I couldn't. Do I need a longer piece or something?

Problem is that I have to work the throttle with one hand, so that makes it harder to hold something. I can't tell where the hell this sound is coming from.
 
Reply
Old May 24, 2008 | 10:19 PM
  #8  
matts156's Avatar
matts156
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 566
Likes: 3
From: New Jersey
Club FTE Silver Member

I use a long aluminum rod - 3/8" diameter. It's about 2 feet long. It usually works better if it's solid.

Harbor Freight has had mechanic's stethescopes for sale recently. I picked one up for about 3 bucks.
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

 Brett Foote
story-2

Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

 Brett Foote
story-6

2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026

 Brett Foote
story-9

5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time

 Joe Kucinski
Old May 24, 2008 | 10:57 PM
  #9  
David85's Avatar
David85
Lead Driver
20 Year Member
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 6,900
Likes: 3
From: Campbell River, B.C.
Eevn a wood handle broom stick will work.
 
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 11:31 AM.

story-0
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

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


VIEW MORE
story-1
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

And it might be even better than that.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-18 19:26:42


VIEW MORE
story-2
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

Slideshow: Does lowering an F-150 Lobo RUIN the ride quality?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-18 19:20:37


VIEW MORE
story-3
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Slideshow: Ford's bizarre fishing-themed Explorer concept has resurfaced after spending decades largely forgotten.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:07:46


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

Slideshow: The 10 best Ford truck engines we miss the most.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 13:09:47


VIEW MORE
story-5
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

Slideshow: first look at the 810 hp 2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road!

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-12 12:50:07


VIEW MORE
story-6
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

Slideshow: Everything You Need to Know about the 2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-07 17:51:06


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

Slideshow: 10 most surprising Ford truck options/features in 2026.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:17:22


VIEW MORE
story-8
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026

Slideshow: Here are the top 10 Fords coming to Mecum Indy 2026.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:49:49


VIEW MORE
story-9
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time

Slideshow: The 5 best and 5 worst Ford truck wheels of all time

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 16:49:01


VIEW MORE