Whistling Ford

[JohnMickish]

Here's the scoop. The wifes 2002 Supercrew 5.4l ford has started to wistle a little bit now that it's really cold out. I took it for a ride tonight and here is what it does, for me at least. Getting on the highway it wistles a little bit at the top of second, then again at the top of third and starts again when I level off at around 75MPH or so. It appears to be coming from the heater core area and changing the heater mode dosen't change the sound. I really sounds like a vacuum leak to me. I don't know if this is related but The air intake sounds a little bit raspier than normal but I don't drive it all the time so I can't be positive on that.

Have any of you ford guys ran into this?

[DEADhead]

There was a post similar to this last summer. My 2003 Expedition with the 5.4l made the same noise, especially when it was cold. I believe the culprit was an air leak at the throttle body, caused by the intake tube shrinking in the extreme cold.

[Cliff Wagenbach]

My 2004 F-150 has the noise, summer or winter!

It seems to come and go!

Cliff

[Scott K]

Usually it is the air going pass the Idle air control valve that causes these concerns. When it is real cold out ice can build on the small ports and cause a hooting noise or even a higher pitched noise such as a whistle.

A few times I have also seen when the orfice that goes into the heater hose at the intake will become dislodged and the coolant will push the orifice upto the heeter core inlet and will cause a gurgling noise, but not a whisle.

Most likely it is just your iac making noise. Sometimes by replacing it, the noise goes away, sometimes it doesnt.

[kunk]

I have the same situation with my 01 Dodge. Get higher pitched as the engine winds up and then goes back down when in shifts. Quits if you take your foot off the gas.

[fishing tech]

If it goes away when you let off the gas it is normal. Ford has no fix for it, if they did I would fix mine.

[Bassboy1645]

definetly normal on my old one too....just turn the tunes up man! lol

[killerloop1]

I have a 05 f350 powerstroke same sht ,,,,, volume # 5 whistle is gone,,,lol or drive like your 90... off the foot feet no noise....

[JohnMickish]

I drove it today with the above zero temps and it sounded fine. I've been trying to talk her into a new Lincoln LT, maybe now is my chance...

[JAR JAR]

I have a 96 F150 and when it gets below 0 mine does the smae thing but it goes away when it warms up. I thought it the sound was coming from the air conditioner pump.

Jar Jar

[Scott K]

If it is a whine that increases and decreases with rpm, then it is most likely the power steering pump whining. If it just makes a hooting noise off idle then its IAC.

[Tom7227]

My 2002 F150 5.4 liter does it when it's cold. I've been able to play Mary had a little lamb by varying the speed, but once the rig heats up it goes away so I'm the only one that's heard the tune.

[Lip_Ripper Guy]

I've had lots of Fords and they all do it.

[caseymcq]

 Originally Posted By: mnfishinguy

Getting on the highway it wistles a little bit at the top of second, then again at the top of third and starts again...

Sounds like it can't carry a tune

 Originally Posted By: killerloop1

I have a 05 f350 powerstroke same sht ,,,,, volume # 5 whistle is gone,,,lol or drive like your 90... off the foot feet no noise....

I believe your whislte is normal, from the turbo charger.

[Sarpy Creek Boy]

Check your exhaust manifold bolts and make sure they are not loose. If the exhaust manifold is pulling away from the block you will get a whistling noise. This seems to be a common problem with F-150's.

I know first hand that ignoring this will cost you around 600 to 700 to fix !!!!!!!!

[crappie todd]

I have a 06 silverado. has done it since it was new when it is below zero. goes away after about two miles.

[killerloop1]

 Originally Posted By: caseymcq

 Originally Posted By: mnfishinguy

Getting on the highway it wistles a little bit at the top of second, then again at the top of third and starts again...

Sounds like it can't carry a tune

 Originally Posted By: killerloop1

I have a 05 f350 powerstroke same sht ,,,,, volume # 5 whistle is gone,,,lol or drive like your 90... off the foot feet no noise....

I believe you whislte is normal, from the turbo charger.

I have 2 6.0's and 2 7.3's and only 1 whistles, and it's my main truck, it's been in b4, claimed a vacuum, but noise is back again this winter,,