HELLO, I'M NEW HERE.
LOOKED THROUGH THE ENTIRE SITE FOR SOMEONE WITH MY
PROBLEM AND FOUND NONE.
MY 1999 RANGER 2WD 3.0 HAS A NOISE COMING FROM
NEAR PASSENGER SIDE VALVE COVER, VERY DRY HARSH
SQUEAL. SERP AND PULLEY ARE NEW.
I HAVE 162,000 MILES ON THIS TRUCK WITH NO
SERIOUS PROBLEMS - YET
ANYONE KNOW WHAT THIS COULD BE?

 

Sorry to hear about your aggravation Russ. Does the sound change when turning your steering wheel? Does the sound change when your headlights are turned on?

One way to isolate the source is to remove your accessory belts then run the motor for a short time. While it's running, try to see if the noise has gone away or still is present.

If it’s still there try to detect the exact location.

If it has gone away it’s likely accessory related. Reconnect one belt at a time (and run the engine) to help narrow down which accessory could be the bugger.

 

There is only one belt with a serpentine!!!

Russ, there are 2 pulleys that will squeal, an idler pulley, and a tensioner pulley, did you have both replaced????

 

THANKS FOR THE REPLY.

THE TOP PULLEY JUST ABOVE THE FAN AND THE BELT
WAS REPLACED. I WILL CHECK THE OTHER PULLEY.

IF THIS NOISE ISNT COMING FROM UNDER THAT VALVE
COVER MY EARS ARE GOING.

I WAS AFRAID OF A DRY ROCKER OR CAM (IF THERES
ONE ON EACH HEAD)

THANKS AGAIN,
RUSS

 

The 3.0L is a pushrod engine, there is only one cam, and it's in the block....another thing that is known for making a noise is the
IAC valve, which is located on the throttle body.....

 

Bob,

you may have nailed it about the IAC valve,
of course now its being quiet, but I checked
out IAC valves in general and my truck has
shown some other IAC symptoms intermittently;
not starting on first crank, then a 300-400 rpm
idle and stall. theres also some variation in the
idle speed so I am going to get a new valve.

thanks again
Russ

 

Only 162k and you're still on your first IAC? Seriously, I have 194k on my '98 4.0L supercab and am on my third. First change was due to the dreaded "squeal" and the second was due to the squeal and idle problems. My wife's 2001 Explorer with 4.0L doesn't squeal but sometimes will be a hard starter. A sharp rap with a block of wood on the manifold next to the IAC clears up the problem for quite awhile. Will replace it when the weather is better.

Ford must have had a bad batch of these.

Good luck.

 

mike,

I think it may have been replaced by ford at about 90k
along with mass air sensor, egr. a few things "went"
at that time, and I had to split the cost with ford because
not all was covered under my extended warranty.
Im going to get a new one now.

thanks, russ