Okay, I have 99 F250 LD 5.4 3.73LS. Last year I experienced a loud noice when taking off, sounded like the engine was racing REAL LOUD but barely moving (kind of like freewheeling).

Since then it happens occasionally but not as loud.....until this week. The other day it was hot out and people could hear my coming down the block, my son was embarrassed. I mean it was LOUD!!!!!!

I've had it to the dealer a couple times but they can't repeat and no negative transmission codes come up.

Going back in this week. I figure, each oil change I'm reporting it, that way if something happens at 36,001 I have something to show that I've been reporting the problem.

Yea it's been hot out, 110 degrees (the loudest happened the same time last year) but it can get loud, but not near as loud, at other times of the year.

Any ideas?



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99 F250XLT Supercab LD
5.4L 3.73 LS
White/Silver
Graphite interior
6 CD changer/Captain's Chairs

 

JD= Will you please E-mail me at MJVAUGHAN@PRODIGY.NET as soon as you read this? I am looking at buying a used truck like yours and I have some questions.

 

MJ,

My e-mail server has been having problems the past few days, lets me receive but not send. I can receive an e-mail at:

JPMD@alltel.net



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99 F250XLT Supercab LD
5.4L 3.73 LS
White/Silver
Graphite interior
6 CD changer/Captain's Chairs

 

Sorry about your e-mail and truck sounds. The only 2 things I can think of as possible causes are your fan clutch or torque converter in the tranny. This would all depend on where and when this happens, exactly. Then again I could be misunderstanding your problem because multiple trips to the dealer should have found either of these things quickly. My wifes car has been to the dealer 6 times for the same problem and they still have not fixed it, and sometimes cannot even duplicate the problem.

[This message has been edited by MJVAUGHAN (edited 07-23-2000).]

 

I had mine do this a couple of times. It is something to do with the fan or fan clutch because you can hear it in park while you rev it. Mine has only done it after sitting a week without cranking it. It actually sounds like the fan is spinning 3 times as fast, like it is pumping alot of air. The last time this happened was around November. Mine only last about 30 seconds. Mine cannot be the trans or torque converter slipping because the rpms run normal.

 

Replace the fan clutch. Not too complicated-not too expensive.

 

JD,

Since I live in Arizona, I get the type of sound you are talking about. It usually is most pronounced when it gets really hot out. I have determined that on my vehicle it is the fan clutch fully engaging and running the fan blade at full speed. It usually only last for about 30 seconds, and once I get airflow through the radiator the clutch will disengage. This is a normal function of your fan clutch, and although it sounds like a high speed fan running at full tilt, it will usually only last for a short time.

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1998 RED F250-LD EC 4X4 Lariat, 5.4L, 3.73LS, 4WL ABS,
LOAD LVL SUS, TOWING PKG, SUPER COOLING PKG, 6 CD
CHANGER. GREY LEATHER INTERIOR.

MODS: PACESETTER TFX CAT BACK EXHAUST
AIRAID INTAKE SYSTEM
SUPERCHIP FLIP CHIP
MAG-HYTEC DIFFERENTIAL COVER
NAPA CERAMIC BRAKE PADS
BFG ALL/TA KO LT26575R16
FORD MOLDED MUD GUARDS
DURALINER W/ BULL RING TIE DOWNS
MAX SUPER WHITE HEADLIGHT & FOG BULBS
DASHMAT DASH COVER

FUTURE MODS: JBA HEADERS
STULL BILLET GRILLS
MAGNACHARGER BLOWER

 

Thanks everyone. It probably is the fan clutch running at full tilt but on a few occasions it ran for more than just a minute or two. Maybe it sticks open. The other day I went from one end of the city to the other, didn't stop until about 45 minutes into the trip, again, really embarrassing when pulling up to a group of people and they hear this loud thing coming a block away. Thanks again.

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99 F250XLT Supercab LD
5.4L 3.73 LS
White/Silver
Graphite interior
6 CD changer/Captain's Chairs

 

before you replace your mechanical fan clutch, find out if someone has an electric fan out for your truck. they are a little cheaper, don't steal horsepower from engine, are quieter, and easy to install, and at the same time, cooling your engine, they give you a couple of horses [back].

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1999 Red F150 4x4 5.4L XLT X-Cab
Towing Package
Corporate 9.75 Rear Axle, 3.55 Limited Slip
Corporate 8.8 Front Axle, 3.55 Open
K&N Generation II
Jet Chip
Gibson Headers
32x11.50 Super Swamper SSR

 

Well, I had an appointment for yesterday (Wed). I brought the truck in at 7:30 am and decribed the problems I was experiencing. I took it to a brand new place not far from the house. I also mentioned that the A/C clunks sometimes when I turn it on, could they check that while it was in. The guy tells me it would be until Monday before I got my truck back because I didn't let them know about the A/C part before I brought it in and they're busy.

I told him to forget about the A/C, just change the oil and check out the loud noise and the coast down moan (there's a TSB out on it, JHerron had it also and got it fixed) that I did identify.

Tells me okay, should have the truck back by Saturday, they're really backed up and the technician might not get to look at it until the next day or so. I asked why then did I have to make an appointment for that morning, then he back tracked and said that MAYBE they'll get a chance to look at it late that afternoon but he didn't know haow difficult the other repairs were.

I took my keys and left. Didn't phase him a bit. Went down the road to another FORD dealer this morning who changed my oil right away, no waiting. Didn't identify the problems to the second dealer because I'm leaving Saturday to Orlando and still had some running around to do tomorrow, didn't want to put my wife in a bad position if it wasn't ready in time. I'll take it in to them when I get back from my trip next week.

To top things off, when I made the appointment I asked how much they charged for transmission servicing and if they installed tranny temp gauges. I was referred to this service advisor. I left a detailed voice mail and provided my cellphone number, which also has a voice mailbox. Never received a call back, had to call them the next afternoon. At least then the receptionist was quite helpful by staying on the line going through the list of service advisors finding me a person I could talk to and not a mailbox.

Now don't get me wrong, I know these places are busy. Just don't have me make an appointment, drop my truck off and say you'll get to it in a couple of days and treat me like an idiot. I'm off work, don't want to be sitting around doing nothing because my truck is just sitting around doing nothing at their parking lot instead of mine.

Thanksyou for letting me vent.

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99 F250XLT Supercab LD
5.4L 3.73 LS
White/Silver
Graphite interior
6 CD changer/Captain's Chairs



[This message has been edited by JD (edited 07-27-2000).]