Ford Quick Tips: #18 Ford 3.0L 3.8L 4.0L 12v Engines Chirping Noise

[@TheChrisPineWorkshop]

I owe you a huge thank you! This is exactly what was wrong with my 2007 Ford Ranger and I was able to change it out and it sounds and runs better than ever! Thanks for this video!!!!! Chris Pine Denver CO.

[@samuelwarner9411]

Thank you for this video! Now confirmed, I have this exact intermittent chirp/squeak sound with the belt removed. 2001 Mercury Mountaineer with a 5.0 V8.

[@galesams4205]

i use a stesiscope on all moveing before i start throughing parts at it. 90% of the time it's a bad bearing or pulley rubbing a houseing.

[@Drvanosdrand]

I want to thank you very much , I was getting ready to put a water pump on my 3.0 ranger based on that noise , Thanks !!

[@kentuckyboi777]

I work on a lot of 2001-2006 Ford Rangers with the 3.0 and this is a very common problem. The chirping noise is actually the smaller issue. The big issue is when the owner ignores the chirping sound and then the cam synchronizer gear wears completely out and they no longer have any oil pressure and that = a 3.0 that will seize up. I have done this so many times that I actually bought the special tool that keeps the tab spinning on the synchronizer then you set it to 38 degrees from the center line of the engine. This is another bad design by Ford just like the timing chain tensioners on the 2001 4.0 SOHC.

[@virginiadelatorre4465]

Brian Smith how much would something like that cost if you catch it early thanks

[@GivesProps]

Brian Smith I need help finding out the problem to my mustang. Everytime I put it in reverse.. the car jumps a little and as I reverse it kinda sounds like something grinds together...

[@OldeGuido1]

I love KZbin Univerity! Thank you for taking the time to post this video. Saved me a lot of aggravation.

[@chilledboost1982]

It was a poor design. But another thing is Change the oil after you replace the cam synchronizer. There is a nice amount of shavings you will find in the oil

[@israelcalderon7357]

Wouldn’t the oil filter catch it?

[@keljennb511]

how long can you drive the car while this noise is going on? My little daily driver mustang started this noise this past weekend.

[@ohmykai207]

I've been walking on the edge of replacing my water pump, when I saw this video here. My 3.8L '00 Windstar SE is making a chirping sound... quietly, and very much like what you'd expect from a failing water pump. Any simple test to determine with limited tools available?

[@gilbertodiazcastro8871]

We had a noice just like that on my brother’s Ranger, the problem was that when they replaced the alternator they hadn’t installed the pulley right. It was off alignment about 1/16” and it took a long time to find. I’d suggest you check the pulley alignment BEFORE you go replacing anything.

[@yycguy8722]

I get this with my 2006 4.0 Ranger, when the truck starts cold and wet from moisture or fog especially….the chips are worse! When the engine is warm and been running for at least 5 minutes the noise will no longer appear. Does this sound like the same issue? I’ve replaced the belts and that is definitely not the issue.

[@jbev5574]

Great video,the same thing happened to my 3.8l mustang,I replaced some pulleys and the noise started getting louder after a couple days,replacing this today.

[@scotheceo2654]

I’m late but did it work?

[@justhes]

Had that same chirp in my 4.0 Explorer. Went away after awhile. Never fixed it. That was only thing closest to a major repair on that car.

[@dondale68]

Folks do talk a lot of shit about Fords. I like to ask them ''If Ford is so bad, why do they make such good tow trucks??''

[@jerryhanson3903]

I'm going to buy an Explorer with a 4.0 how many miles can you put on them before they go out?

[@TourettesMobileMechanic]

Your awesome my man. I have looked all day and I 100% thought it was a belt and now it has stopped starting I have multiple misfire codes and the belt never broke. How bad of shape do you think it my be. This was extremely loud and it was not the pulleys I checked and it was on a Taurus!! Thank you so much. It would get quite as it warmed up. Low engine oil pressure light is on she has little little?? Maybe she was drinking the oil?? Do you think it’s Repairable??? It’s will not start at all with the belt off?? Thoughts??

[@TourettesMobileMechanic]

If I rock it I can bump the motor back and forth and it tried? Could it have bent the valves already??

[@mctobbsi]

I also had that on my 4.0 Explorer and I did get it fixed. I was a little bit of a tricky job with the synchronizer living on the backside of the engine between it and the firewall. No more CEL 214 code after that though :D

[@ask43242flight]

Hello, For taurus 2000 OHV, I hear the chirping noise but it only happens while I am driving. Is this a possible Cam Synchronizer issue? Thank you!

[@Z-Ack]

I get a random chirp like that but only at higher revs in a 4.0 sohc.. it never happens when i got the damn hood open looking for the sound..

[@tristanwwsd]

I have a 1999 ranger 4.0. Sounds like a squirrel fight under the hood. I can only see the top of the sensor with a mirror and light it is so buried. Looking for a video on how to do it without pulling the engine. I'm not going to do that. Pull the plastic body off the intake? Pull the intake off the block ? Sell it ?

[@TedBishop1]

My 2003 windstar 3.8l does this and also stalls when the chirping starts you cant ignore this noise it will eventually fail

[@zacharylewe6648]

Would this be the same as a 3.8 Super coupe Thunderbird?

[@JuanGomez-gb6ce]

I have a 2010 ford Ranger and I replaced the serpentine belt because it was squeaking in the mornings when cold and for a few min after driving. Now it is squeaking all the time when I am driving not when idle, any thoughts are appreciated.

[@jrod7017]

I have the Ford 4.2, squeezing, rough idle. The coolant hose bracket on top of the water pump is so frozen in place, that I cannot get it to budge. I'm probably going to have to soak it in kroil or some other penetrating oil. Do you have any advice?

[@dondale68]

Question;;; In what year did they start using the cam syncro?? I got accustom to helping my son work on his Ranger w/ the 4.0 SOHC, now I just bought myself a 94 Ranger w/ the 4.0 OHV. They are different, not many videos on the OHV!

[@FordTechMakuloco]

They started using the synchro when they went to the DIS setup.

[@MikeSmith-cn6ub]

The 4.0 is more likely to throw timing chain guides. Which inturn you gota rebuild the engine

[@gsales04]

Thank you for the excellent videos FordTechMakuloco. The detail and knowledge is the best out there. You don't just show what you are doing, you provide information of why you are doing it. I have a question regarding a 2008 Mercury Mountaineer. The crankshaft position sensor was chewed up by the harmonic balancer/crankshaft pulley. I'm unable to install the new sensor because the pulley is closer to motor and would likely just eat the next crankshaft position sensor. Someone suggested replacing the harmonic balancer, but should I replace the crankshaft seal as well? Should this resolve my issue. The problem started with a chirping noise. Thanks.

[@FordTechMakuloco]

Yes the harmonic balancers are a known problem replace the sensor, balancer and front crank seal.

[@5556ranger]

The problem is there are no bearings in there it's just a bushing and they wear out over time. I replaced mine as a hundred and seventy-two Thousand Miles only because I had it out to replace the clutch. The unit looked brand-new I could do that to my constant use of Mobil 1 full synthetic oil

[@LuisLopez-kn5bj]

I swear I literally changed my water pump today on my 99 mustang v6 3.9 and thought I was good and it came right back on going to change it tomorrow and see if it works will give updates(same exact sound when car is at temperature)

[@Oblithian]

I assume this also applies to the 4.2L

[@Theferg1]

I have a 2009 Ford Mustang 4.0 and I’ve noticed here recently that it sounds like my power steering pump is whiny when I first started up in the cold I have flushed it and add a new power steering fluid still does the same thing I’m wondering if it could be this sensor? Have you ever heard them sound something like a power steering pump chirping?? Thank you

[@Long-nd8bq]

These cam synchronizers usually go chirp chirp chirp like a belt squeak. Ford PS pumps are notoriously noisy especially when cold and the fluid is thicker.

[@tedthornton7791]

Will this work on the 97 4.2 f150 engine? Thanks

[@dforwardslashsporeman7387]

Spark plug wires are next to the throttle cable.

[@ernestodequiros5407]

My 2004 Ford Freestar made the same chirping. We noticed it for the first time immediately after the car stalled while driving. Weeks after that we would hear it intermittently. Then it died again after having been idling for 3 minutes. My question is: why does the car die? I would think that, since the synchronizer is engaged with the camshaft, if the camshaft is rotating so would be the synchronizer (even with some friction/chirping). So when the synchronizer axle jams in its housing, would the camshaft sensor detect it and the computer stop the engine so that the camshaft teeths are not damaged? Or would the jammed synchronizer actually brake/stop the camshaft (and I don't want to think about the dire consequences of that...)?

[@MikeSmith-cn6ub]

What ended up happening??

[@ernestodequiros5407]

@@MikeSmith-cn6ub I bought a new synchronizer, but then decided against installing it. Instead, I removed the cap (where the sensor lives, if my memory serves me well), and poured a few drops of engine oil around the axle top. (I had read somewhere about this solution). The chirp went away immediately, and 5 years later, the problem hasn't returned. This coming summer I will drop a few more oil in there! 😂 Look for this video by FordTechMakuloco: "Ford Quick Tips: #32 Multiple Ford Engines Camshaft Synchronizer Belt Chirp Noise Cheap & Easy FIX"

[@stevenw7904]

thank you i used your great info and saved my mom thousands in Florida this easy to fix? taurus

[@cumulo25]

My '06 F-150 with the 4.2L is making the EXACT same noise. I replaced a pulley that was spinning a little too freely and gritty sounding and it didn't help. Took the serpentine belt off to see if it still made the noise and it did. I was worried that something in the valvetrain was bad and my heart sank. I'm going to check that sensor tomorrow and try to confirm it. Thank you so much.

[@brchrdsn]

I had this issue on my 2000 Taurus. I was able to quiet it by squirting a dab of 105 under the tab and chasing it with WD40 to work it down the shaft. I had to do that every 20k miles or so until around 300k miles when I finally had to replace the syncro. My Vulcan is super reliable but she does need a little attention now and then.

[@FordTechMakuloco]

Brent Richardson The other Ford tech here did something similar to his daughters Taurus.

[@brchrdsn]

Yeah, that's probably not a "repair" a dealer tech can make as it's a band aid at best. I considered drilling a hole in the sensor cover so I could lube it with a syringe every oil change or so. It finally had so much runout it would no longer play the game. One of the very few replacement parts on the bull.

[@brandonhibbs6598]

My 06 ranger 3.0 has a cheap like this now I know what it is how long till it fails and what happens when it fails I'm no more driving my truck till I get it fixed

[@woahitstonymaranto]

I have that same bird chirping noise on my 2005 F150. It's driving me mad, I could swear it's coming from the rear though. And here's the weird part, the noise is only present during low speeds (less than 15 MPH). It's incredibly noticeable in rush hour traffic when foot is off the brake. Any help would be greatly appreciated Thanks!

[@FordTechMakuloco]

Is it a fast chirping noise or more rotational with the wheels? I have seen the shoes in the rear rotor hat area com apart and make all kinds of weird noises. Have you checked this? Ford F150- Weird Scraping Type Noises

[@seanr444]

Mine is on its way out. Just started making noise today. Definitely sounds like a bird chirping but does go away with throttle or under load, but is somewhat consistently chirpy while idling. Also the cam synchro (phaser) is on the back side of the motor... At least in the 3.0 ranger.

[@Dylanolli]

does it make that noise while at a full stop?

[@stephenfritz7493]

3.0 liter vulcan ohv 2007 taurus with 72,000 here. I don't think this is my noise. But I'll give it a go. I was thinking cams.

[@JHC1official]

Thank you very much for your great videos which are very helpful to us.

[@dondale68]

'FordTechMakulo' is great. Another good one is 'South Main Auto Repair'

[@SECRETGOVERMENT2012]

will the 01 tuarus engine fit my 01 mustang and transmission ?

[@PureCountryof91]

No. Vulcan is a unique bellhousing. The 3.8 is sbf pattern in rwd usage. You can however use a 5.0. The 3.0 ranger trans could be used if you wanted a 3.0. Or use a sho 3.2 with the ranger box..

[@ReclusiveMountainMan]

So after all that, the owners didn't want the car to be fixed? :( Thanks for another informative video. When in doubt take it to a pro before throwing parts at the car.

[@FordTechMakuloco]

Nope this guy is a young kid and doesn't seem to worried about it now for some reason.

[@ReclusiveMountainMan]

Looks like he needed help diagnosing the problem. He was running out of parts to replace... ;)

[@roytiller4537]

I don't have a chirping noise with my Ranger but my 2002 Ford Ranger with the 4.O v6 has a rattle noise at start up that only lasts a couple of seconds then goes away Any idea what it might be?

[@dondale68]

Is that the 4.0 SOHC? Check videos on the timing chain tensioners. Sounds about right.

[@TheArcticSpartan]

Hallelujah. You're the man !

[@badcass100]

Thank you very much and keep up the very helpful videos.

[@johnmarks7243]

Common misdiag. Customer working on there own car trying to save money by replacing good parts. I get that noise at work a lot .after someone replaces a power steering pump and they don't press the pulley back on all the way.ford loves to put the harness right on them synchros ,brings back a few memories cussing at a Taurus .lol good video. I can't video at work

[@FordTechMakuloco]

Yeah this one had the young teen owner and Grandpa involved it was a mess.

[@dondale68]

@@FordTechMakuloco My $20 mechanic's stethoscope probably would've helped them!! Still got it in the original box!

[@williamstellmon7565]

TBH, it goes from a belt cherp to a broken tire belt

[@wolfman2342]

You are the best man .

[@burnnaj]

Will this cause over heating issue?

[@Long-nd8bq]

No, the cam synchronizer has nothing to do with the cooling system. Overheating could be a weak water pump, cooling fan not working, stuck thermostat, or a head gasket leaking. I would do a leak down test or a compression test and see what your results are.

[@burnnaj]

@@Long-nd8bq thanks man it turned out that it was the water pump appreciate your knowledge of these engines and your help

[@Long-nd8bq]

@@burnnaj glad to hear you got it fixed.

[@nicholasdoran]

having the same issue on my 99 Ranger.

[@badcass100]

I have this same noise coming from my 2003 Expedition. It gets worse when the engine warms up.

[@FordTechMakuloco]

You need to do the same and pull your belt and recheck.

[@emanuelnamseth1469]

160,000 miles and I just run it hard. With synthetic oil. Runs like a watch. 2001 windstar.

[@thatunknownguy2680]

Let me guess, they're gonna throw some MOTORKOTE in it, then sell it.

[@Oblithian]

Lol This is such a weird and specific problem.

[@mikecont9742]

Noise would drive me crazy..