Something squeeks, but not for long.

[Noflers]

When I start the truck up in the morning I hear a high pitch squeeling. The squeel only lasts for maybe ten minutes, about when the truck warms up. What could it be?

 

[RonD]

Cam sensor/syncronizer, common symptom is squealing, and it is a common failure issue on the 3.0l.
This part usually needs to be changed every 80k miles.

Good read here on this part: http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/camshaft_position_sensor.shtml

 

[Noflers]

But why would it stop after the engine warms up? that's the only thing that made me think it's not cam shaft position sensor.

The only other thing I can think of its my coolant to water mix might not be 50/50 like it's supposed to be so the pump has a hard time pumping until the coolant heats up/thins out.

 

[RonD]

Coolant thing would be a long shot.

Idler or tensoner pulleys can squeak.

To narrow down the field, next time you will be cold starting and have some time, loosen fan belt and remove it from crank pulley.
Now have someone(or you) start the engine and listen for the squeak, if squeak doesn't happen then it is a pulley, if it does happen then you should be able to pin point it without the fan and belt noise.

You can run a cold engine for 2 or 3 minutes without water pump, Battery Light will be on since alternator is not spinning, but not an issue for a few minutes of running time.

 

[Noflers]

Coolant thing would be a long shot.

Idler or tensoner pulleys can squeak.

To narrow down the field, next time you will be cold starting and have some time, loosen fan belt and remove it from crank pulley.
Now have someone(or you) start the engine and listen for the squeak, if squeak doesn't happen then it is a pulley, if it does happen then you should be able to pin point it without the fan and belt noise.

You can run a cold engine for 2 or 3 minutes without water pump, Battery Light will be on since alternator is not spinning, but not an issue for a few minutes of running time.

That's probably exactly what I'll do, but if it is a pulley why wouldn't it do it constantly?

 

[RonD]

Probably will do it all the time if you wait to fix it.
Once a bearing or bushing starts to wear it can make a noise, might be when cold or when warm, once it wears enough it will make noise all the time.

 

[pjtoledo]

belts like to squeak on the 3.0, its usually the BACK of the belt going over the non-ribbed pulleys.
next time you start it, give the back of the belt a shot from a squirt gun or some sort of sprayer to see if the noise changes.

 

[Noflers]

Well as soon as it stops raining I'm going out to pull the belt off to make sure it's not the problem. I know this must be a motorcraft only part, but does anyone have experience with other brands? Tight on cash and the motorcraft one costs about $120.

 

[enjr44]

Well as soon as it stops raining I'm going out to pull the belt off to make sure it's not the problem. I know this must be a motorcraft only part, but does anyone have experience with other brands? Tight on cash and the motorcraft one costs about $120.

A top the line Gates belt for your truck is about 35 bucks. I have never heard of a $120 belt.

 

[Noflers]

I was talking about the cam shaft syncronizer.

 

[RonD]

No, you don't need to use Motorcraft part for the synchronizer, 3rd party are much cheaper and I have read they last longer, but grain of salt.

If you get one with Cam Sensor included you need to make sure it is the right one for your engine/computer.
In the late 1990's Ford switched from a 3-wire Cam sensor to a 2-wire sensor, they are not interchangeable, computer programmed for 3-wire won't understand signal from 2-wire and visa versa.
So look at what you have now, 2 or 3 wire.

 

[trail B2]

I had a Taurus that squeaked that way couldn't find a replacement cam synchronizer anywhere.I pulled the synchronizer out and put a zirk fitting in the bushing on it greased it put it together.had to go back and grease it once started to squeak again.Then I watched the ex girlfriend drive it for years.

 

[Noflers]

No, you don't need to use Motorcraft part for the synchronizer, 3rd party are much cheaper and I have read they last longer, but grain of salt.

If you get one with Cam Sensor included you need to make sure it is the right one for your engine/computer.
In the late 1990's Ford switched from a 3-wire Cam sensor to a 2-wire sensor, they are not interchangeable, computer programmed for 3-wire won't understand signal from 2-wire and visa versa.
So look at what you have now, 2 or 3 wire.

Good to know, It just seemed to me like it is a heavy wear part so must be safe and get the motorcraft. I found the sync and sensor combo for $60 compared to $120 for just the sync from motorcraft.