cruising 70 mph: 'crickets' in dash

[fast_dave]

[You were right!]
On removing the tensioner to see which style I had, I immediately noted the casing was coming apart at the seam! I tried squeezing the halves back together--only making them looser than before!Fortunately, a newly-built outlet of O'Reilly was open at 7:30 PM and had the Gates tensioner. Squeeking and squealing with my alternator only charging at 10.4 V/ headlights dim, I managed the 4-mi. trip to O'Reilly's. Installing the new tensioner in their parking lot, I drove home tired and satisfied: My Ford purring like a kitten.

@Terkins

*high five brother* Great to hear that you're back on the road, trouble free!

 

[Terkins]

[You were right!]
...local mechanic...dismissed the tensioner as cause, saying it would chirp continuously if at-fault.
Meanwhile, I added some Seafoam to the engine oil, and some Marvel Mystery Oil to the fuel.
Bingo! Chirping gone! (Fake reprieve!)
On removing the tensioner to see which style I had, I immediately noted the casing was coming apart at the seam! O'Reilly had the Gates tensioner...Installing the new tensioner in their parking lot, I drove home tired and satisfied: My Ford purring like a kitten...the old tensioner (Canada)...had the 'round spring'...made in Canada, just like the new Gates replacement.

[more "crickets"!]...It still chirps 'crickets' at start-up/slow-speed until it warms up, despite the brand-new belt tensioner/idler pulley. Once warmed-up, it silences. Otherwise: It drives fine.
There is some play along the seam (between the halves) of the new tensioner assembly (along-which it rotates: adjusting tension on the belt). I'm wondering if that slight 'play' is what's generating the 'cold crickets' sounds (before warm-up)?
(As for the Marvel Mystery Oil) My car stunk after each road trip interval from the 'Marvel Mystery Oil' I recently put in the fuel (trying to silence the 'mystery noises')...(or) 'maybe I was burning out deposits (in the cylinders) as I was cruising at highway speeds'?

 

[Gary Crist]

Terkins 2 feet! Heck learn to "heel and toe" it.....

Pulling your leg too.

 

[Turdle]

Camshaft sensor bushings. As mentioned before. The sound is created deep inside the engine and transmits far.

The upper intake is surprisingly easy to remove and reinstal. Just be sure to have a new egr seal, new upper gaskets and might as welll do the injector o rings.

while the upper is removed, try some marvels mystery oil for the sensor soaking.

there is an internal rotating shaft, mark it's position well in relation to the housing

Then, mark the housing position relative to the engine block. If you are careful to not rotate the engine at all, the cam sensor should drop back into place after soaking the bottom shaft in a good cleaner first, like acetone,blow debris out with air, then soak it in the MM oil overnite.

Avoid the temptation to purchase a new one unless you spring for the OEM. This unit also drives the oil pump so you do not want to take the risk.

 

[Mr. Alligator]

There is another thread on this forum about crickets. Sounds similar to yours…

Use the search function, and it will be easy to locate.

Update on progress

Well, I seem to have 'killed the cricket.' It was a hardline running from the transmission rubbing against the firewall. Easy fix and now the tranny sounds great.

MAYBE?

good luck.

 

[Terkins]

Camshaft sensor bushings. As mentioned before. The sound is created deep inside the engine and transmits far.
The upper intake is surprisingly easy to remove and reinstall...Avoid the temptation to purchase a new one unless you spring for the OEM..

[vs.]

...It's easy to oil the cam sync bushing on the V8, Not easy at all on the 4.0L OHV...On the 5.0L's this creates a chirping sound like a bird.

I'm back to: "I own one vehicle." "No one else to borrow transportation from." "Don't own a garage to work in." "Can't afford to disable vehicle (nowhere to park it overnight disabled.)"

If it's the cam shaft positioner bushing...it's going to either be a 'paid repair' 'down the road', or remain 'a chirp I don't hear'... If the latter: What 'time frame' and 'effects' can I expect toward failure(s) down the line?