Whining Noise 5.0L Mountaineer

[cm_starr]

My 1999 Mountaineer 5.0 L V8 has been making a whining noise as long as i can remember. The noise always seems to be present and comes from the front of the engine. We had serpentine belt replaced and noise still continued. It seems to be the loudest on the front of the engine, passenger side. My guess is belt tensioner, Any ideas? A Video of the noise can be seen at http://youtu.be/27CuMxKOWVs
Sorry for the poor quality but the noise can best be heard around 18 seconds into the video

 

[boominXplorer]

Sounds like the power steering has air in it or one of the idler pulleys are TOAST. Take the belt off and spin each pulley and check for resistance or noise and go from there.

 

[cm_starr]

Thanks i will give that a try and let you know how it goes

 

[cm_starr]

Got it fixed! It was the Bottom Idler Pulley. The thing was completely fried. Bought a new one at Autozone for $16.99 and put it on yesterday. I Cant remember the last time it sounded so good. Thanks Boomin

 

[celly]

Got it fixed! It was the Bottom Idler Pulley. The thing was completely fried. Bought a new one at Autozone for $16.99 and put it on yesterday. I Cant remember the last time it sounded so good. Thanks Boomin

That's what I was going to suggest. That or the tensioner pulley. Been there, done that.

 

[boominXplorer]

Awesome, glad everything worked out.

 

[storlied]

Does it sound the same as a power steering whine?