Female newbie here and I need your expertise, please. I have a 1999 F150 XLT, 6 cyl. w. 121k. And it's been making a noise for 2 months that sounds like my truck is eating a bird for lunch. Noise is usually at low RPM's. It is not the breaks, the noise is coming from under the hood. Usually just when I begin to accelorate and when I am almost completly stopped do I hear the chirping - not a high pitched squeal like your wife when you leave the toilet seat up , more like a bird chirping on a warm spring day and then slowly being ground up and killed. Does it more often in rain, meaning at higher RPM's too. I have changed the belt and a tie rod cap (not sure if I have that right, but has something to do with the suspension - is driving better now though).

I am moving back to California in 3 weeks. I will hook up an 8 ft. trailer to my truck and drive for 3k miles home. My little engine that could - don't laugh it got me here 2 years ago the same way. Anyway, I'd feel better if the problem was solved and I knew she was completly healthy. Last, can we start with the cheap stuff? I've already spent too much!

Thanks all,
Kristy

 

Sound like it might be your U-Joints, you can usually hear it best when your under acceleration or slowing down. They may have never been replaced and stock ones arent greasable, if you get then replaced get some that can be greased maybe Moog brand and you should be able to get it done for a $100 bill.

I know you said the noise is under the hood but thats my best guess.

 

Thanks Max. Now a stupid chick question...
If it is the U-joints, is it something that can wait until after I move or I better take care of it now?
At this point it's all about $. I am already over on my moving budget, and $ is getting really tight. I am afraid I'll get to Arizona and not have enough for gas to make it all the way...

 

Does it make the noise when the truck is not moving? If so then pull off the Serpentine belt and run the engine to see if the noise stops. If it does then it is being casued by something that the belt turns. It can be 1 of 4 things. Idler pulley, A/C compressor clutch, alternator or the water pump. If you only hear it when the vehicle is moving then it is in the driveline. Check the front brakes.

Regards

JMC

 

Thanks JMC.

It only makes the noise when in motion. Louder and always during acceleration from a stop and occasional and quieter during deceleration.
I rolled down both windows today and spent time listening closely. (I really thought it was the belt. Fixed the belt and now think I had 2 different noises and did not know because the constant chirping is gone. But still have this one.) Anyway, it is not coming from the engine like I first thought. I think it is in the driveline (front and rear brakes & rotors were done 6 mos. ago and the noise does not seem to coincide with breaking) and possibly more to the passenger side - but the rebound noise through me because it was moving from one side of the car to the other depending on what was next to me.

 

It will probably stop when you get back here to California. We don't allow no chirping trucks here. If not though, it could still be brake related, even if it doesn't seem to correspond. If you can get someone to put it up on a lift, you may be able to locate it.

 

Desperado,

You think I can wait until I get back to Long Beach?

And where are you in So. Cal? I miss home so much. Can't wait to be back in the west. The people out here are really nice, but I can't take the weather!

 

I'm in the Riverside/San Bernardino area. AKA the "Inland Empire". Look for this on the road
I would not wait till you get here, not knowing what the cause is. Go to some independant garage, and con the kid there into putting your truck off the ground and see if he can isolate the noise.

Good Luck and Drive Safe!

 

Thanks,

I'll bat my eyelashes and see what I can get done. Nice truck. Mine is stock, but I still LOVE it.