Odd sound coming from engine today....vaccum?

[joeyd71]

I started up my '97 Explorer XLT today, and as soon as I did, it was making a loud noise. The best way I can describe it is a loud whooshing sound coming from the engine- like air whooshing through a tunnel. It kind of reminded me of the way the engine should run- only like 3 times louder. I didn't think much of it, so I continued on. Eventually, it went away. But towards the end of my trip, it started back up again. This time there was a gurgling sound at idle. Whenever this gurgle came, the engine idle slowed down quite a bit and almost stalled out. I could rev the engine, and it would go away for a few seconds.

This all happens randomly and there isn't really a way to predict it. I'm attaching a video too. The gurgling sound starts at about 11 seconds.


Please let me know what you think, because I am away at school and I am planning on going home next weekend. I need to know if I will be able to get it home where all my tools and stuff are, or whether I should take it to have a mechanic listen to it.

Let me know what you guys think it might be.

Joe

 

[jremington59]

If it were me I'd look at the idle air control valve. Did you trace all the vacuum lines and check them?

 

[joeyd71]

No I haven't. I ran out of time. But would the idle air control valve explain the loud whooshing sound under the hood (at all RPM's)? What about the cooling system? I've been reading a little bit, and I saw that air bubbles getting in the cooling system can cause that gurgling sound.

And how about this- I also posted the question on yahoo answers (don't laugh) and somebody suggested a bad fan clutch. I've done some more research on symptoms of bad fan clutch, and it kind of adds up. I'll be walking the 2 miles to where I park my car (remember, at college) with a full tool kit in a backpack to do some investigating.

 

[joeyd71]

and just a little update- checked the car today and the fan was fine and the coolant level was also fine. it seemed to make less of the gurgle sound today though.

i tried pinpointing where the sound was coming from, and to me it sounded like the alternator was the culprit. The car still drives fine though (it seems).

 

[joeyd71]

UPDATE:
Found out what was wrong...the hard way. Made it 2 hours on my trip, and the idler pulley gave out (completely snapped off) and claimed the belt as a victim. I was able to limp it home without power steering, fan, etc. Had to stop a few times going up hills though. Luckily it was a very cold day. Picking up the parts tomorrow. However instead of paying the $40+ for the stock belt, I'm going to go with a shorter belt that bypasses the AC compressor. The AC never worked, nor do I need it to, so why strain the engine and maybe I'll gain 1mpg?

But anyways, thanks to all who contributed, and kudos to those who guessed right.