engine noise

My 2000 Windstar makes a whining noise that varies with engine speed. Listening with the hood open, it comes from the passenger side of the engine. It sounds like a bad bearing, but it's hard to say. Any ideas on what it could be and/or how to troubleshoot it?

My 2000 Windstar makes a whining noise that varies with engine speed. Listening with the hood open, it comes from the passenger side of the engine. It sounds like a bad bearing, but it's hard to say. Any ideas on what it could be and/or how to troubleshoot it?

This could be one of the rotating units in contact with the serpentine belt. You can take the belt off by releasing tension on the tension idler (best accomplished by laying on the ground and reaching up to the pulley; I think a 15mm wrench will fit) pulley then spin each unit: alternator, power steering pump pulley, idler pulleys, etc. Also check for bearing play as you go. Many WS owners have had to replace power steering pumps.

This could be one of the rotating units in contact with the serpentine belt. You can take the belt off by releasing tension on the tension idler (best accomplished by laying on the ground and reaching up to the pulley; I think a 15mm wrench will fit) pulley then spin each unit: alternator, power steering pump pulley, idler pulleys, etc. Also check for bearing play as you go. Many WS owners have had to replace power steering pumps.

Thanks. I'll give that a try, let you know how it goes.

OK. I checked all the rotating units and everything rotates freely. The PS pump resistance changes noticably over a few rotations, but not drastically. The generator makes a slight 'shhh' sound. The idler and tensioner have about 1/16" side play. And the belt looks fine. So, I'm guessing it's the generator. Anybody know if the generator is supposed to be dead quiet when spun by hand?

Reference point...1996 3.8L.
I have just replaced my alternator for squeeking. There is a very slight "shh" sound with the new one. Sometimes an item can squeal only above a certain RPM.....making diagnosis more diffiicult. A long screw driver....press the metal end to the item in question.... (non-rotating item only) and press your ear to the plastic handle of the srewdriver....and listen for an amplified version of the sound you are trying to track down. You WILL hear an amplified version of the "shh" of the alternator....but should not hear your squeal
The alternator is VERY easy to replace. 3 15mm bolts, 1 plug, and one lug terminal. Mine made a squeeking sound when I turned the pulley by hand....so I knew that it was ONE of my noise sources.

Power Steering Pump. I bought a replacement that included the resevor (additional $10 US).
I also had additional squeeking.....replaced the power steering pump. A bit more work. Remove the alternator, it is a lot of weight and removing it WILL make the re-assembley process much easier.
You can get a power steering pump pulley remover and installer kit from Advance Auto Parts for about $27 (US). It is Ampro # T70074. You WILL need this. Remove the pulley from the power steering pump. Remove the return hose (remember to use a drain pan) from the bottom, front of the power steering resevor. Unbolt the SMALL bolt where the metal pressure output line screws into the front of the pump. Remove the 3 bolts that hold the pump to the pump and alternator bracket (15mm). Remove the 3 (15mm) bolts that hold the pump / alternator bracket to the engine block. You will need to move the bracket slightly to have room to remove the pump. Then install the replacement pump into the bracket.....then install the bracket. Tighten the pump and bracket bolts. Install the 2 fluid lines. Install the pulley....You MUST use the INTSALLATION TOOL to install the pulley...Pounding the pulley on WILL damage the pump...as per the instructions. Fill the resevor with the correct power steering fluid. Re-install the alternator. Re-install the belt. Start the car and turn it off right away....check and refill the fluid as needed (you are priming and purging the system). Then restart, rotate the steering wheel from stop to stop each way.....turn engine off and check / refill fluid as needed. Repeat this until the fluid level stays constant....and there is no "moaning" sound...which indicates air in the system.

A 3rd source of squeek......A bit of oil, etc on the belt or pulleys. The water pump is driven by the SMOOTH side of the belt. I had a different squeal caused by this.....a small amount of belt dressing sprayed on the smooth side of the belt took care of this.....this was will a good...non-cracked...non-glazed belt.

There should be a label with the belt routing under the hood....mine is on the underside of the hood.

A 15mm socket/wrench is what you will need to put onto the bolt of the "tensioner" pulley.....pull forward / clockwise to release the tension on the belt.

[QUOTE=wiswind]Reference point...1996 3.8L.
I have just replaced my alternator for squeeking. There is a very slight "shh" sound with the new one. Sometimes an item can squeal only above a certain RPM.....making diagnosis more diffiicult. A long screw driver....press the metal end to the item in question.... (non-rotating item only) and press your ear to the plastic handle of the srewdriver....and listen for an amplified version of the sound you are trying to track down.



Thanks. Given your experience, I don't think the alt's the problem.

I put the belt back on, and now the noise is gone (the noise has disappeared spontaneaously in the past, so I don't think I fixed anything). When it comes back, I'll try the using a screwdriver as a stethiscope to see what I can learn.

Also, the noise isn't a squeal. More like a mid-to-high pitch hum. I first thought it was the transmission, but the noise happens when the transmission is in park, so I ruled that out.

A short length of stiff hose makes perhaps a safer stethoscope. If you have an old garden hose that's due to be thrown away, you might harvest (pun intended) a length from it.

I also had this problem with my '95 Windstar. Just last night, the noise grew very loud, then the belt slipped off. The van obviously lost power steering and cooling so grew warm immediately. This morning, I twisted the pulleys I could reach (alternator, power steering pump), and it seems that the ps pump gives some resistance. Could this be my problem? Thanks, Trish

I had intermitant minor squeak, that would even happen with
the belt off and the engine idling, it was the tensioner pulley.

never could isolate it with hose or screwdriver, since you lost belt,
that also points to tensioner pulleyproblem, the locating pin broke
on my tensioner, where it mounts to block, and couldn't keep belt
tension

Trish, It is normal for the power steering pump to give some resistance.....more than the other items.

Thanks so much guys, the mechanic goes to get it tomorrow, so we will see. I hope it is the pulley as you said!

Trish

I bought a "Premium" alternator from Advance Auto Parts for about $138, and a Power Steering pump from Advance Auto Parts for under $60.
So you should not be out a lot of money.
Water pump....I have not replaced....but is a bit more labor. I beleive that you have to raise that side of the engine up about 4 to 5 inches to get clearance.