Electric Whine Sound 98 5.0L Mounty

[cwylie]

I have a 98 Mounty with the 5.0 that is making a very loud electric whining sound. The sound gets louder at higher revolutions and quieter at lower. I have been trying to pin point it but am having quite a difficult time. I was told by an autoshop it was the alternator - when I replaced it the sound remains.

I am thinking it is one of the pullies as the sound increases/decreases with the revolutions. Is there a good/easy way to pinpoint the sound to a pully?

Or is there anything else that would cause a whine like this? All your help is appreciated! Thanks!

 

[lobo411]

I have a 98 Mounty with the 5.0 that is making a very loud electric whining sound. The sound gets louder at higher revolutions and quieter at lower. I have been trying to pin point it but am having quite a difficult time. I was told by an autoshop it was the alternator - when I replaced it the sound remains.

I am thinking it is one of the pullies as the sound increases/decreases with the revolutions. Is there a good/easy way to pinpoint the sound to a pully?

Or is there anything else that would cause a whine like this? All your help is appreciated! Thanks!

Get a mechanic's stethoscope, remove the belt, and rotate each pulley by hand as you listen thru the stethoscope. If you hear any unusual sounds (anything other than normal rotation sounds), then you've found your problem.

 

[MAS Tequila]

A lot of times it is the tensioner bearing.

MT

 

[chi_city_limtd]

A lot of times it is the tensioner bearing.

MT

Can you buy the pulley separately? or do you have to buy the whole tensioner?

 

[corkey]

check your power steering fluid too,
that pump will make a whining sound too

 

[masospaghetti]

+1 on the power steering pump, they don't call that whine the "Ford mating call" for no reason....

 

[Turdle]

+1 on the power steering pump, they don't call that whine the "Ford mating call" for no reason....

Yup. Our 93 Aerostar remained single for 130,000 miles even though it was screaming for mate. Some ford pumps are louder than others. Presently our 2000 Mounty seems just a little lonely also.

 

[delexploder]

Do you have an after market radio? Is the sound coming from your speakers?

 

[radman]

Can you buy the pulley separately? or do you have to buy the whole tensioner?

chi_city_limtd,
The one I replaced on my 99 5.0 was one piece with the pulley on it.
Mike

 

[chi_city_limtd]

chi_city_limtd,
The one I replaced on my 99 5.0 was one piece with the pulley on it.
Mike

Ok thanks Mike. How did you come to the conclusion that it was the tensioner? My truck is making a whine sound, but it's not the power steering for sure and I don't believe it's the alternator either.

 

[Robman]

power steering pump like they all said. Otherwise it's not an electrical noise but a bearing.

 

[radman]

Ok thanks Mike. How did you come to the conclusion that it was the tensioner? My truck is making a whine sound, but it's not the power steering for sure and I don't believe it's the alternator either.

I use a long piece of wooden dowel rod and put it to my ear while touching the other end to the various places that might be making noise. I also have a 16" screwdriver that will perform the same kind of stethoscope work.
Mike

 

[Bobmbx]

Get a mechanic's stethoscope, remove the belt, and rotate each pulley by hand as you listen thru the stethoscope. If you hear any unusual sounds (anything other than normal rotation sounds), then you've found your problem.

A wood broom stick cut to about 2 feet long works too. One end on the part, the other against your ear. Just don't touch the fan blades with it.

It hurts. A lot.

 

[Bobmbx]

I am thinking it is one of the pullies as the sound increases/decreases with the revolutions. Is there a good/easy way to pinpoint the sound to a pully?

Do you mean with engine speed or road speed?

 

[cwylie]

Sorry for going MIA on this - It was the tensioner pulley that was creating the noise. I replaced the idler pulley while I was down there too just to make sure.