Well you guys fixed my last engine problem so I am hoping you can figure this one out. When I start my pickup, I hear a whinning noise for a little while then it stops. This usually happens when it is cold or has been setting a little while. When the engine warms up it stops.
I pulled off the belt and turned each pulley but none seemed to be making any noise. It's not a squealling noise or a terrible sounding noise just a higher pitched hum. I hoping it is nothing major.
It is a 1997 Ford F150 with a 4.6 v-8 motor with about 87,000 miles on it.
Any ideas would be greatly appreciated as your ideas fixed my EGR problem just a couple of weeks ago.

Thanks again,
Steve S.

 

I would say it is the power steering pump. If it is that, dont worry about it. To find out, stick your head out the window and turn the wheel while the truck is in park and see if the pitch of the whine changes.

 

Thanks Lariat...I'll try that tonight. Someone told me It could also be my fan clutch. I'm going to try to figure out how to check that.

Thanks
Steve

 

Mine was the power steering pump as well. The fluid was above the Min mark but I added just enough to go a little above the Max mark and it went away.

 

do a search on "Start up noise" there is a long debate on wether it is the PS or the starter.

however the consensus is that it is normal, only happens when it is cold, and it is nothing to worry about.

really the only way to check a fan clutch it to try and spin the fan when the engine is NOT running. if you can't spin it it is bad. or if when you are trying to spin the fan it wobbles it is bad.

 

I Had The Exact Same Problem In Feb -17 - 19 Degrees Whining noice Would Go Away When Warmed Up But When I left And pulled away it returned when going throught 1st and 2nd then the whine would go away !! Hasn't Came Back!!

 

How is your battery? On my last truck when the battery was dieing the alternator would make a whirring noise for a while after starting the engine cause it was really working to try and charge the battery. Just something to look at.

 

If you have after market pulleys, it might be harmonically related? Just a guess, but then again, that would mean that teh noise would be present after the engine has reached running temp.
Don't know. Keep us posted.

Best,

Matt