2008 4.2 V6. It was about negative 5° Fahrenheit and the truck has made this sound since it was brand new. I'm just curious what is making the sound? Anyone have any ideas? Im not worried about it since there is nothing wrong with the truck and it doesn't make the sound when it's above 0, but it's embarrassing haha. Scanguage read my cyl head temp at 0° is that as low as it goes? It was definitely below 0 outside.

Here's the video

 

Hey.

The usual suspect turns out to be the alternator in a lot of cases.

VERY common - dozens of threads on this over the years.

MGD

 

Lightening fast response. Thanks! I had tried posting about it years ago and everyone had told me it was probably the power steering pump.

Anyway, I put a new (not rebuilt) alternator in about a year ago when my alternator pully siezed. Do they all just make this sound when it's extrmemly cold? Or are there certain ones that are designed for colder weather operation?

Thanks MGD!

 

I just traded in my 2007 xl with the 4.2 and it would make that same noise also, except the noise didn't go away that quickly. One morning it was really cold out I started it up to let it warm up before I went to work and it was making that noise really bad. Let it run for a little bit and when I walk outside my truck wasn't running. The alternator froze and destroyed the fan belt. I think the noise is common, but keep an eye on that alternator and belt.

 

Could be your power steering pump, all my fords have had loud pumps even when new. Especially when it's cold outside.

 

Hey.

By all means it could be the P/S pump.

Jbrew's remedy is to replace the fluid with Amsoil ATF.

MGD

 

Thanks everyone.

I'll have to wait till it's cold like this again and have someone else start it while I'm over the engine with the hood up. If it's the ps pump, I'll swap fluids. If it's the alternator, which seems more like the probably cause, I'll live with it since both would have made the exact same sound.

Thanks again.

 

I need to do this.. What's the best way to drain the P/S pump

 

Posts 10 & 12: https://www.f150online.com/forums/19...-steering.html

And - some more good info in here ( from Jbrew and Jim Allen ).

https://www.f150online.com/forums/v8...ge-yes-no.html

MGD

 

Thank ya

 

Mine does the same when it's below -20C (-4F) and sitting outside overnight. It could be the PS pump, but I am running synthetic ATF in that. My other thought was maybe the oil filter's bypass valve or the oil pump's bypass valve chattering. Even good synthetic oils are pretty thick at those temps.

 

My alternator does that when it's below 10 degrees. Nothing wrong with it, it's just straining to recharge the battery which takes a big hit on a cold start.

 

My 05 with the 5.4l has made that sound as well last winter a few times when it got in the single digits here in TN. Heard it again this morning as well as it was 4 degrees this morning and I have a new alternator as the old one crapped out in October.

 

Yep, perfectly normal.

This was my previous 2004, used to do this though ( turn vol. down, sound starts at 0:23. ).

 

Yeah, I would go with power steering pump. For the record, I wouldn't put too much worry into finding a remedy. I've been starting my F150 in -30F or worse weather for 8 winters and it's never gotten worse or caused any damage. It's just a result of the cold. Not a big deal.