I've got a 07 SCab 5.4L 2wd (27K miles) that when it's been -4 temp or below I've been getting a sound on morning startup like you're low on power steering fluid (like a growl for lack of a better description). It can last from a few seconds to a few blocks. Once it's gone, it's gone for the day. This does not happen at any particular speed as it happens while in park and continues if you put it in Drive, once it's quit for the day it's done. Other than letting it sit outside overnight in the cold, you can't duplicate it on demand. It also does not seem to vary in sound level or intensity if you turn the wheel before moving the truck while it's growling. It also doesn't seem to affect driving the truck, power steering seems to be ok, moves under it's own power, etc.

I've searched and read on the alternator noise, but this does not seem to be that as that will happen anytime at speed. By the time I can get the few blocks to the highway, it's gone.

I've done all the usuals: checked fluid levels, belts, made sure nothing is rubbing and I've not found it so far. I've also not been able to isolate it so far to any particular item other than it's coming from under the hood. Most times I have to go to work so I don't have time to check further at that time.

I have another 97 Scab, it doesn't do it nor my TBird if that helps.

Anyone experience this? Other than maybe the power steering pump, any other ideas what it might be? I want to insure I've covered everything before I have to take it into the dealer.

Thanks

 

MY 08 MAKES THAT EXACT SAME SOUND ON REALLY COLD STARTUP. OF COURSE IT DOESN'T DO IT UNLESS IT IS LIKE 0 DEGREES F OUTSIDE, AND IT HAS SAT AT LEAST 8 HOURS, SO I HAVEN'T EVEN TRIED THE STEALERSHIP. I BELIEVE LIKE YOU SAID THE POWER STEERING PUMP IS THE SOURCE. NOT SURE IF FORD'S FLUID IS NOT RATED FOR THAT COLD OR WHAT.

 

my 05 ext cab 4.6 does the same thing unless i use the oil heater started using that and no more noise... i got lucky and stumbled onto the fact i have that it looks to be factory heater

 

Doese it sound like power steering? My 06 has been doing it in th emornings at about 30 degrees out after a few blocks it stops. It is my powersteering for sure! I know what a ford Power steering going out sounds like as my 2000 mustangs went out and sounded the same. I think it takes a minute or two warm up/lube up the power steering in the cold weather. My truck also reves/growls very loud until it warms up to normal op temp!

 

My '04 does the same thing on really cold mornings (0 or below). Sounds like a pissed off cat when it first starts and then within a few seconds disappears. I had a '99 that was the same way. Seems to be just the nature of the Ford power steering. Had 178k on the 99 and never had issues with power steering. Just noisy.

 

every ford truck i've ever owned did it.....i wouldn't worrry about it

 

Ford has always made the most noisy power steering pump of any manufacturer whether it is hot or especilly when cold out.. You'd think afer all these years they would/could give us a quite pump??? If your truck is under warranty Ford may replace it with an other noisy pump..

 

Had that same noise on my 08 150. had it in to the dealer this week, there is a tsb on this, was a idler pulley on the serpintine belt. replaced it and @ 24 degrees this morning, no noise where before it would have givin me a good 30 secong squeal.

 

cdestuck- I know the TSB you're referring to, and I did have to get that done on my truck as well. But I think the OP is talking about a different start-up noise. It's not as much of a squealing noise, its more like the sound of the power steering pump when you have cranked the wheels all the way to one direction, and then still try to turn it further.... but louder.

 

Well I've checked everything I can without any luck in insolating it. The last couple of mornings it's been warmer so the howl/growl hasn't happened. Being my 36/36K warranty runs out next month, I dropped the truck off today at the dealership to have them check it out. I just had the first time to try the windshield washers, either they're broken or froze up. So they get to look at both of them.

The service tech didn't say what it was, but I got the feeling they've seen this before so hopefully it will get taken care of the first time. With luck, it will be all nice and quiet again when it's cold out.

 

I've owned two of this body style and my parents own one....and all three do it in really cold weather for about the first 10 seconds of running........dealership has said its normal....and i've never found anyone who's truck doesn't do it.....

 

Well got the truck back. The windshield washer pump was bad and was replaced. The growl on the other hand didn't happen. It's happened at -4 degrees and below. Left the truck there last night, it's was 18 degrees when they went to start it up this morning so no growl today. They said they went through everything and found nothing wrong.

I talked to the service writer and the tech, they said they've seen it before but don't have a solution. Apparently done idlers, belts, pumps and nothing has quieted it down. One vehicle apparently even got louder afterwards. They said they've been working with Ford and no answer exists yet other than shotgun parts replacements or learn to live with it. At least if it does go out, I"m on record as it existing while the full warranty is in effect but they weren't able to find the source of the sound at this time.

 

Check the freewheel bearing on your fan...... when its cold it could make noise.