squeel from engine compartment when cold
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squeel from engine compartment when cold
i can hear a squeel from engine compartment when cold. it sounds like a bad bearing, but when it warms up, the noise dissapears. what do you guys think?
thanks
jason
thanks
jason
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Joined: Oct 2000
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From: All over Texas
squeel from engine compartment when cold
Mine makes what sounds like a similar noise, although it is not really a squeal. It's more of a metallic spinning sound. Once warm the noise goes away. I keep waiting for something to "blow" so I can get it fixed under warranty.
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From: Central Florida, USA
squeel from engine compartment when cold
Spray a little WD-40 on the belt. If the noise stops, replace the belt. The belt will sometimes dry out and track a little differently around its course. If not keep isolating the sound to an area of a component driven by the belt. Its probably not a good idea to 'just wait for something to break and have it replaced under warranty' as it surely will break at the most inopportune moment and you may hurt youself or someone else with you. You didn't say how old or how many miles on the vehicle, but candidates are the water pump, air pump or alternator. If you don't want to fix it, let your dealer of service person have a look.
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Joined: Oct 2001
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From: Washington State
squeel from engine compartment when cold
[updated:LAST EDITED ON 16-Jan-02 AT 01:03 PM (EST)]>Spray a little WD-40 on the belt.
Bad idea. What if the squeak doesn't go away? Now you gotta replace the belt anyway. Inspect the tension, inspect your belt for cracking and fraying.
Could be the tensioner is getting worn. Have it inspected by someone qualified, if it persists. Don't wait for something to break.
Put oil on it...good grief.... :-X23
Bad idea. What if the squeak doesn't go away? Now you gotta replace the belt anyway. Inspect the tension, inspect your belt for cracking and fraying.
Could be the tensioner is getting worn. Have it inspected by someone qualified, if it persists. Don't wait for something to break.
Put oil on it...good grief.... :-X23
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2002
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From: Central Florida, USA
squeel from engine compartment when cold
Well, the idea is to get the fellow to do something proactive, not wait until it breaks. On that we both agree. The WD-40 will evaporate in about 12 seconds anyway and a little won't hurt any more in this case. The belt probably needs to be changed anyway, and when the faulty component is replaced I'd put on a new belt too.
A little spray does not a oil soaking make.
A little spray does not a oil soaking make.
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squeel from engine compartment when cold
The WD-40 will still leave a small film, which will in turn transfer to the pullies. When you change the belt, you will have some transfer to the new belt, unless you clean the pullies. If you are going to spray the belt with anything, I recommend belt dressing. It is almost like a spray glue, which basically tacks up and adds traction.
My Bronco is making a similar noise, even after changing the belt. I found an idler pulley about to go. Time for a new pulley.
My Bronco is making a similar noise, even after changing the belt. I found an idler pulley about to go. Time for a new pulley.
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squeel from engine compartment when cold
May not be the right thing to do, but I also use WD-40. 
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Sit. Stay.
Joined: Oct 2001
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From: Washington State
squeel from engine compartment when cold
>The WD-40 will evaporate in about 12 seconds anyway.
Well, only the propellant.
>A little spray does not a oil soaking make.
Granted, but there are better ways to diagnose belt problems than to spray oil on 'em.
If it is indeed a belt, a visual inspection will hold the clues. Fraying, cracking, lack of tension, glazing (shiny).
Sounds like it ain't the belt but more closely resembling a tensioner pulley (if equipped) or an idler pulley as adelyser suggested. Or it could be anything run by the belt, for that matter. Time for some simple troubleshootin'.
Well, only the propellant.
>A little spray does not a oil soaking make.
Granted, but there are better ways to diagnose belt problems than to spray oil on 'em.
If it is indeed a belt, a visual inspection will hold the clues. Fraying, cracking, lack of tension, glazing (shiny). Sounds like it ain't the belt but more closely resembling a tensioner pulley (if equipped) or an idler pulley as adelyser suggested. Or it could be anything run by the belt, for that matter. Time for some simple troubleshootin'.
Sit. Stay.
Joined: Oct 2001
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From: Washington State
squeel from engine compartment when cold
Yours is a '99 right, with 29K? Did it make that noise when it came off the showroom floor? I bet not. Take it to a REPUTABLE dealer and have 'em check it out. Depending on the date of manufacture, it should be under warranty.
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From: Cedar Rapids USA
squeel from engine compartment when cold
I just had same problem on 99 F150 SC, 5.4L with 33,000 miles. Dealer had TSB to replace tensioner pully and belt under warranty. Seems to have fixed it.
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From: All over Texas
squeel from engine compartment when cold
I was really being facetious when I said I’m waiting for something to blow. That typically seems to be the only way to get Ford to fix anything anymore because (a) they never seem to hear the same noises we owners hear or (b) they always dismiss potential problems as normal, i.e. I understand they are not replacing the piston slap engines any longer and are saying that it is ok to have loud clanging noises coming from the engine at startup.
Mine only makes the noise when really cold outside and down here in Houston it is spring or summer like 99% of the time. BTW, I’ve got a ’00 5.4L 4x4 with 40K miles (extended warranty). I will check with a dealer about the TSB on the tensioner though.
Mine only makes the noise when really cold outside and down here in Houston it is spring or summer like 99% of the time. BTW, I’ve got a ’00 5.4L 4x4 with 40K miles (extended warranty). I will check with a dealer about the TSB on the tensioner though.