water pump squeal..
 

i've had this odd squealing/screeching noise that comes and goes. i'm 98% sure it's not the belts or the tensior puller for the p/s. all i have is the power steering and alternator (no a/c). my hunch is that it's the water pump, maybe? the noise comes and goes and increases with the speed of the engine but is unaffected by it. by this i mean reving doesn't necessarily make it disappear. any ideas?

RE: water pump squeal..
 

okay, it's most pronounced in extreme cold especially upon startup. and it really sounds like a supercharger. anyone?..anyone?

RE: water pump squeal..
 

It could be your water pump, or the alternator, check to see if it gets louder or more constant when the alternator begins to charge.

RE: water pump squeal..
 

thanks for your input but, what exactly do you mean "begins to charge"? isn't the alternator always charging the battery while powering on-board accesories simultaneously?

RE: water pump squeal..
 

try spraing some wd-40 on the pulleys for each alt,,,pump....excetra and if it stops when you spry one of them ...that where yourproblem lies

RE: water pump squeal..
 

turn on the head lights and listen to the alt. switch to high beem and listen for changes.

RE: water pump squeal..
 

Check the Ford Ranger Forum. There is a group working on this problem there as well.

RE: water pump squeal..
 

I had that problem too. check your alternator belt. mine was chewed all to hell, and it finally broke. a new belt and now theres no squeeling

RE: water pump squeal..
 

okay, i sprayed the belts with some wd-40 with now change in noise, tempo or pitch. i did notice though the sound was most prominent on on the drivers side of the engine. this indicates to me it may very well be the water pump. i stethoscoped it with no result. until i replace the pump and that eliminates the noise i'm just going to assume that it's the culprit. i don't plan on r&r'ing it unless it fails.

fyi, adding any electrical load didn't change the noise either. cl8ton, do you have a link to the particular ranger forum troubleshooitng this issue.

RE: water pump squeal..
 

Hello Entropy
It can be found at:-
www.ford-trucks.com/forums/forum35/
So far they havn't had much luck tracking it down either
Have a Good One!