Well it seems I have this strange noise coming from the drivers side middle/lower area while D or R. Its a real low rattle/chatter and goes away when it's in N or P. Also it goes away when in D or R when you up the rpms a little. I tried using a peice of hose trick to islolate the problem and I still cant find it??
I can tell you its not coming from the blower so cavitation is out of the question...Any ideas??

 

Is it kind high pitched hard to discribe, Chirp maybe.

Can't remember if your air cleaner is stock?

I have a chirp r rattle thing ounce in awhile but it comes and goes.
I think it started after the cold air intake. Mine isn't that distracting. I never even tried to look for it.

Have you lifted it and gone under to see if something is loose. A heat sheild or something. Maybe inside a CAT on that side.

 

Not it a very low sounding rattle...like two marbles rolling around a pan almost.
I just pulled off the blower belt and the noise went away??? I took it off and on 3 times to make sure. I switched the idler pullies from side to side and it seems to have changed the noise somewhat. I'm thinking its either the idler pullies or it the belt?? Maybe it is cavitation!!

 

Ok, I think you might be right.

Hey, as long as you are in a tinkering mood. Back off the belt tensioner or remove your S/C belt and give those idler pulleys a spin with your hand.


They come with sealed bearings and not much grease usually. Lots of guys have heard them go dry.

It is real easy to lift the seal on the bearing with a Knife tip and pop it off. Then take some good synthetic lube and add just a dab. "You don't want to pack it full" that will make it run hot.

The seal will snap back in place and your good to go. I did it on my 99 with about 22k miles showing. They were real dry. I am going to do the 04 here when I get some time.

I am also going to get one of those needle attachments for my grease gun and add a couple squirts of synthetic marine lube to my tie rod boots.

Maybe drop the drive shaft and put a finger full in the needle bearings.


Oh yeah, one other thing I wanted to tell you. When I was under mine changing the exhaust I noticed a gap on the bolt that holds the flywheel inspection cover on....... It was finger loose!!!! So it ain't a bad idea to check around for loose things anywhere you can.

How many miles you got on that new charcoal beauty of yours?
I sure am liking mine. Just turned 1K and it has that new smell when you open the doors.

 

Maybe there is a reason why Ford used a caged pulley.

 

Just turned 9,000 miles and it still smells new when I open the doors..

 

The idea of the caged pulley was to keep tension off the front main cap/bearing of the crank...You still have the same amount of tension @ the idlers and pulley snout due to the....You guessed it the... TENSIONER.

 

Usually if you raise your idle slightly,
the cavitation sound will go away also

Mine sometimes sounds like a Diesel depending what time of the year (cold air "vs" warm air) and what pulleys I'm running at the time. Usually it's noisier with 4lbs than it is with 6lbs for some reason.

G, you got waaaaaaaaaay too much time on your hands,
if you were closer we'd be having mod party's weekly.....