Whine

[backroad101]

I have started to develop a whine under the hood. It is not constant, but comes and goes. If I step on the gas a little it tends to go away. It sounds like tire whine/howl and at times I confuse the two if the radio is on. Any ideas what it could be?

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[disciplerocks]

Its a stealthy supercharger!!!

No seriously, probably just the power steering pump.

 

[backroad101]

Should I feel issues with the steering? As of right now, there are no other issues other than the sound.

I figured the issue was something that is belt driven as it stops when I pump the accelrator a bit.

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[Ranger Kip]

maybe the belt adjusting

 

[disciplerocks]

No its just the way Ford pumps are. You can make sure its full, but there is not much else you can do.

 

[backroad101]

This may be a dumb question, but if the pump dies will affect driving the belt or anything else on it?

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[disciplerocks]

Never had one go out on me so I don't really know.

 

[Big Jim M]

If it freezes up it WILL!
Big JIm

 

[backroad101]

So I was able to catch this whine and open the hood to see the general area it's coming from. It is on the passenger side of the engine bay. I believe the power steering pump (and AC compressor are on the driver side). The alternator is 4-5 months old. So what else could it be? Belt tensioner? Anything else?

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[wahl_7s]

could be idler, could be alt.! whining most likely alt

 

[backroad101]

When say whine, I mean it is more of a groan similar to tire groan. Sometimes it is hard to tell if the noise is the tires or the "noise". Alternator only 4-5 months old. Noise started in July.
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[shane96ranger]

Mine has been making a moan sound too when it gets hot. I think I've got it narrowed down to the fan clutch. I'm going to replace that and see if that's what it is.

 

[backroad101]

Let me know what happens.

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[shane96ranger]

I bought the fan clutch, will be installing tomorrow or Saturday. I'll let you know, but I am 99.9% sure this is my sound. The shaft is wet from the gel in the clutch, so it's leaking.

I bought the severe duty clutch too, it was 20 more dollars. I had the guy at Vatozone show me both standard duty and severe and it was quite noticeable how much better the severe duty clutch is.

 

[backroad101]

What did the fan clutch run you? Looks like you need 2 special wrenches to do the job (according to the haynes manual).

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