My engine is making a chirping noise and, for the life of me, I can't figure out where it's coming from! It only makes the sound when I'm in gear and accelerating around half throttle or better. It sounds like a cricket chirp, and it seems to get faster and higher pitched as I give it more gas. For a while I thought it did it after reaching a certain RPM, but I don't think that's the case anymore. Sounds to me like it's coming from the drivers side somewhere, but it's really hard give anymore detail because I can't hear it unless I'm driving.

Don't think this is related, but I've also had some other problems when I start it. Sometimes when I crank the truck, it seems to be sputtering a little bit during take off. Almost like it's missing or something. I was pulling out of a convenience store the other day, and it was running rough again so I just pulled over on the side of the road and killed it then turned it over again and it seemed to be running fine. Like I said, not sure if those could be related but I figure all the info I can give will help. I really don't know much about the inner workings of engines, but I haven't really had any major problems other than these things listed.

2003 Ranger Tremor w/ approximately 85k miles on it.

Anyone got any suggestions? Can someone point me to a related post? I've spent around 3 or 4 hours perusing through this forum and I haven't found but one or two posts that seemed to be the same issue. Thanks in advance.

 

Sure it's coming from the engine bay? Your truck a 4x4?

 

it's an 03 with the tremor package. just two wheel drive. pretty sure it's coming from the engine bay. I've had people suggest that it's the exhaust, but wouldn't the exhaust make the sound regardless if it were in gear or not?

 

start up your engine and systematically spray all the pulleys in your serpentine belt, be careful with your hands and wear eye protection as the belt will sling chemicals, but lubricate all pulleys just to check

 

Wirelessly posted (Blackberry 8530)

I was going to say it sounds like the accessory belt. The hard starting could be that the alternator is where the slipping is coming from. How does your voltage look? Is it any lower than normal?

 

i would be sure to check a/c clutch if you have a/c. as it engages and disengages with the compressor the sudden shift from no torque to +2000 rpms may have toasted your a/c clutch bearing and its not uncommon. i would focus there just to rule out the easy fix of a new compressor because i do not believe the clutches come off

 

Could these be symptoms of the cam synchronizer issue? I haven't been around here long but I have heard it described as a chirping from the engine bay.

 

Hey Benton, while you're here, why not update your signature to include what engine you have, etc.. It'll help with any future questions you might have.


GB :)

 

oh man! one person got this right...your sputtering and the squeaking are related...buy the tool, read my how to, and replace the cam synchro and sensor

 

so did it get fixed?

 

Might be the exhaust gasket. The leak could just be enough to hear only under load. Mine does it a little but it's more of a tick.

 

no, its what was said above

 

cam syncro usually makes a chirp at idle - and stops or gets quieter when accelereating in my experience.

if it is the cam syncro - no need to read write ups and make it harder than the job really is.. just remove the bolt and put the new cam syncro in the way the old one was. You can use a permanant marker to make 2 small dots that will line up if it makes it easier for you. the teeth engage and leave the sensor to positions that "click" into place - so its not like you have infinite possibilities or anything like that. your looking at around a 10 minute job your first time if you've done an oil change or anything like that before.

 

you dont have infinite possibilities? the housing will make a complete 360 degree rotation allowing you to set the sensor anywhere you want.. The PCM will make up for your error of slamming the synchro in and tightening it down...as you recommend, but only so far before it throws a code

 

the housing will what? dude - bolt on the sensor to the damn syncro the same way it was facing (one of two ways) and slap the ******* syncro in the hole. if you marked the position of the unit with a marker it will be easier. Hardly a DIY. you can do this quicker than an oil change.

 

My truck is also making a chirping/ squealing noise but it seems like a belt squeal from inside the truck, but when u open the hood and listen it seems to be coming from the top of the engine

 

The sensor can only be installed on the synchro in one direction, there is a notch in the synchro where the hall effect sensor sits.

The synchro, just like a distributor can be installed in an INFINITE amount of spots. If you "slap" the synchro in the hole, your PCM will have to make up for your error of installation, and if it is too far off, will cause a bunch of driveability problems and DTC's related to injector timing.

Also if you had read my how to, you would know that i dont over analyze installing one of these...I have installed atleast 1,000 cam synchros on 3.0's 4.0's 3.8's 5.0's and any other Ford motor that uses them.

Id REALLY like to see you do a cam synchro on anything but a 3.0 faster than an oil change...

https://www.ranger-forums.com/f32/ho...acement-81660/

 

 

^ thank you - i do agree that over analyzing and tech geeks are another form of whining!

For what it's worth - the DIY is a good one; I did refer to it before taking on the job to see what it would be like.
The pictures were great and the grammar was good