I got a 98 Ranger 4.0 4x4 EXT now it started making a loud wine noise under the hood when i took the cover off the air filter it got even louder couldn't find any holes in it but after so long it will stop then it will return again i have people telling me theres a hole in the air intake and others telling me its the air regulator not sure what the problem is

 

What some folks have done to identify a wine or whistling noise from an intake leak is to start the engine, then spray some carb cleaner or starting fluid around the connections and clamp areas; if the idle changes (increases), you've identified the source of a leak.

Before I'd go to this extreem though, I'd remove the intake assembly (tube and air filter box), and closely examine it for any cracks, tears, or holes.

Your description of a "wine" makes me think though that its the belt or belt tensioning pulley; they usually "wine", where the air intake produces a whistle type sound.