Hi guys/gals!First post...I need help...my engine squeals bad at start up and when I'm driving....especially when there is moisture in the air.I know its a bearing but I can't figure out which one??I've changed the belt tensioner and the idler pully.So whats left...the water pump and the power steering pump.There is no noticeble play in either one?I used a sound meter to see if I could detect anything...no luck.So what should I do next?thanks bm
ps 1999 3l 2wd

 

I don't know what a sound meter is but an automotive stethoscope is the prefered way to listen to bearings and spots on engines for noise.

It could be a bad belt since you didn't mention replacing that. It could be the P/S pump, alt, water pump or even a worn pulley.

Usually a loose or bad belt will sound off at start up because the alt is charging at high rate on a cold belt.

 

I just replaced the belt and it went away. I did a water pump as well but that was an unrelated issue. If you haven't replaced the belt, that would be the next thing to try.

 

I did replace the belt and it didn't go away.I just bought a stethoscope on ebay.I want to find out where its coming from before I replace anything else.Thanks again bm

 

I dunno if ur truck has it butcheck your hoses to see if theres a kink. I had one in the breather hose from my air box and it made a squealing noise as you described. Just a tip.

 

the answer is simple, your truck was designed by a ford engineer, normally a 4 year old with a crayon.



both my dads rangers sqeeked in the rain, mine is currently squeeking in the rain and my brothers old ranger sqeeked in the rain... its 99% no the belts or anything, just another crappy ford design.

 

lol my ranger squeeks at startup in the rain too... i figured the belts just got wet, it stops after running for a few minutes..

 

mine is doing it too, 99 3.0 and I hate it, when the truck warms up after 30min or so...it will quiet down ....but if it's raining, or humid, forget it. Still haven't found mine yet either...I'm guessing it's the waterpump pulley on mine....for giggles, take some wd40 and squirt one of the pulley's and see which one stop's sqeaking.

 

I have a 99 Ranger XLT 3.0 as well and it does the same exact thing!!! Only when it rains or is real humid. Just like other people with the problem it goes away after a few minutes of running it. Just today actually it happpened

I dont think its anything to worry about right??????

 

ah yes...
the notorious 3.0 belt squeal...

 

I switched to a goodyear gatorback on my 3.0 and it never did it again even when it rained...

also check the cam syncronizer gear it can do that as well and sounds the same which can be a major problem if it is a higher milage 3.0 or older one

 

Mine squeaked when there was moisture in the air or anywhere near the engine bay and we replaced the belt and idler pulley and it went away, pretty sure the problem was the idler pulley because we would spray the belt dressing on the belt and it didn't help.

03XLT

 

Hey, even my 4.0 does it at start-up also when it's wet out. No worries.