Ex sounds like a treadmill on start up and cold acceleration.

[mcobb]

It was directly below the power steering fluid resevoir on the bottom of the vehicle slightly closer to the firewall than the front of veh. It looks like it goes from that block in the picture to the front bumper and then i lose it.

 

[mcobb]

Its a rubber hose with mesh insulation

 

[2000StreetRod]

not the power steering pump

Took the belt off this evening and started it to see if it was an accessory making the noise like a power steering pump or fan etc. the whine was still there. Unfortunately.

Then it can't be the power steering pump unless you have the electric power steering pump.

 

[mcobb]

Yeah I know. Did they make an electronic power steering pump on those?

 

[2000StreetRod]

Electronic Power-Assisted Steering (EPAS)

As I recall Electronic Power-Assisted Steering (EPAS) was implemented in the 2011 and later Explorers

 

[boominXplorer]

I have seen a tranny filter do a similar noise on start-up in a 2002. It would sound similar to a power steering whine that would last for about 20-30 seconds on startup. New OEM Ford filter and fluid and whine was gone.

 

[mcobb]

With 156k on it I've heard mixed reviews about changing the fluid and all that. Not sure if its ever been done.

 

[Tech By Trade]

Changing the fluid and filter is fine, just don't get a flush. You wont get all the fluid by far, but you will change some of it out.

 

[mcobb]

Its your cooling fan running at full speed. Its not supposed to do that. Mine did it until I found bare wires in the fan wiring harness. Mine is also a 2006, so I suspect we have the same type of insulation on the wires. Check this post for what I found.

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=415084

I just wrapped each wire with electrical tape. Since I did that, I have not had the roar one single time, and the engine performance improvement was startling.

wiring was fine.

 

[boominXplorer]

With 156k on it I've heard mixed reviews about changing the fluid and all that. Not sure if its ever been done.

Yes it's a good idea to change the fluid and filter by dropping the pan with that kind of mileage. DON'T do a flush, your just asking for an issue.