Death chirp or bad belt?

webster426 · #1 10-22-2011, 09:41 AM

So I have been traveling for work a lot in the last 30 days and my truck has had a lot of down time. Before I left (literally on my way to my destination) the truck made a chirping noise when I fired it up. It lasted only a second or two and went away. Didnt think anything of it because it was a one time thing and the truck drove just fine. It seriously sounded like one of the squirrels in the Geico commercial or something.

Anyway, I got back from my trip yesterday and had a 50 mile drive home. I started it up and it made the same exact noise, but went away. I have never heard the death chirp before, but it is definately a unique sound. It sounds like it is coming from the back end of the engine (closer to the dashboard). There wasnt anyone around to start the engine so I could better pinpoint the issue.

I turned the engine off and on a couple of times, and every time it made the same noise. Every time, it lasted a short period and came from the same area. Again, the truck drives just fine and I havent noticed any decrease in performance or anything. Here is the wierd part......after I got home and the engine was nice and warm, I turned off the engine and restarted it.......no chirp!!!

Like I said, I am not familiar with the death chirp so I was hoping for some advice. Thanks in advance!

matt224 · #2 10-22-2011, 10:30 AM

Does it happen every time you start the truck up, say when the truck is warm? If you leave your truck outside, it could be as simple as a belt squeak when you start it up in the morning. My truck sits outside and every morning i get a bit of a belt squek on startup due to moisture, but burns off after a few seconds.

webster426 · #3 10-22-2011, 11:18 AM

It has been happening every time during start up and the truck is usually left outdoors. Are there any videos or anyting of the death chirp? is the sound continous or what? I just dont want the oil pump shutting off while she is running hot!

webster426 · #4 10-22-2011, 06:59 PM

bump

Fordzilla80 · #5 10-22-2011, 09:35 PM

Start the truck up, pop the hood, get out, and stand at the driver's side fender and look at the engine. If you hear the chirp more in your right ear, it's probably the Cam Sync. If it's in your left ear, then it's your belts. OR, take your belt completely off the engine, and start the truck at a time when it usually chirps. If the truck still chirps, it's your Cam Sync. If not, it's your belt or one of the pulleys. If you hear it coming from the CS or it still squeaks without the belt on, then take a long stick or something, touch the cam position sensor with it, and then listen to see if the sound becomes more audible.

Now, the Cam Synchronizers and the Position Sensors can fail in different ways. On some, the synchronizer shaft can physically lift upwards, and will contact the under side of the CPS. Sometimes, the shaft tooth will catch on the CPS, and it will stop the shaft, breaking the gear at the bottom. This is when you lose oil pressure since the shaft is no longer turning. Other times, the shaft's tooth that the CPS counts the revolutions of will just eat the crap out of your CPS, and it may throw a code for the CPS. And in good case scenarios, the bearings are just not getting oil, and they start to chirp. Some of the cam syncs may fail faster than others. My uncle has an 02 Ranger with a 3.0, and his has been squeaking for 7 months now, and has yet to fail. However he drives maybe 20 miles a week, so his truck rarely runs.

If you want, you can pull the CPS off and check to see whether or not it has been eaten up. If not, then your bearings are just beginning to squeak. However, it is impossible to tell when the unit will fail, so as soon as the squeak starts, it's recommended that you replace it with a replacement from Ford. Prep your wallet though, the synchronizer alone usually retails for $180. Autozone and whoever else sells them, but they're off brand, and they have a high rate of failure.

99offroadrngr · #6 10-22-2011, 10:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fordzilla80

Start the truck up, pop the hood, get out, and stand at the driver's side fender and look at the engine. If you hear the chirp more in your right ear, it's probably the Cam Sync. If it's in your left ear, then it's your belts. OR, take your belt completely off the engine, and start the truck at a time when it usually chirps. If the truck still chirps, it's your Cam Sync. If not, it's your belt or one of the pulleys. If you hear it coming from the CS or it still squeaks without the belt on, then take a long stick or something, touch the cam position sensor with it, and then listen to see if the sound becomes more audible.

Now, the Cam Synchronizers and the Position Sensors can fail in different ways. On some, the synchronizer shaft can physically lift upwards, and will contact the under side of the CPS. Sometimes, the shaft tooth will catch on the CPS, and it will stop the shaft, breaking the gear at the bottom. This is when you lose oil pressure since the shaft is no longer turning. Other times, the shaft's tooth that the CPS counts the revolutions of will just eat the crap out of your CPS, and it may throw a code for the CPS. And in good case scenarios, the bearings are just not getting oil, and they start to chirp. Some of the cam syncs may fail faster than others. My uncle has an 02 Ranger with a 3.0, and his has been squeaking for 7 months now, and has yet to fail. However he drives maybe 20 miles a week, so his truck rarely runs.

If you want, you can pull the CPS off and check to see whether or not it has been eaten up. If not, then your bearings are just beginning to squeak. However, it is impossible to tell when the unit will fail, so as soon as the squeak starts, it's recommended that you replace it with a replacement from Ford. Prep your wallet though, the synchronizer alone usually retails for $180. Autozone and whoever else sells them, but they're off brand, and they have a high rate of failure.

you saved me the time, great post

Eagle · #7 10-22-2011, 10:14 PM

hmm mine squeaks at start up for just a sec. it sounds more like a belt some how

webster426 · #8 10-23-2011, 09:55 AM

OK thanks guys.....I will do the recommended procedures and report back. I was hoping this would be a little simpler =) oh well.....

MUDFLAP · #9 10-23-2011, 10:28 AM

Mine started having that same chirp. Thought it was just cause it was cold that morning but it did it again when I left work heading home. It went away bout 20 mins into my commute home.

At idle it's quiet, only getten the chirp while putten das boot to das go go pedal. I'll try what Fordzilla said and report back.

Fordzilla80 · #10 10-23-2011, 02:41 PM

In my opinion, it sounds different than a belt squeal. It really is a chirping sound like a bird. When I heard my Uncle's truck, that was the first time I've ever heard the cam sync chirp, and I knew what it was as soon as I heard it. I've never heard a belt squeal that sounded like the 3.0 cam sync.

dibbs191 · #11 10-23-2011, 03:54 PM

in my 99' every time i crank it it squeals and get 100% worse when i give it gas. i have changed the belt, and all the pulleys. sound seems to be coming from the A/C pump.

MUDFLAP · #12 10-23-2011, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dibbs191

in my 99' every time i crank it it squeals and get 100% worse when i give it gas. i have changed the belt, and all the pulleys. sound seems to be coming from the A/C pump.

Thats what I thought mine was, then I turned the A/C on but it didnt change nor did it go away.

Is changing this CSC a PITA?

webster426 · #13 10-23-2011, 04:40 PM

I had the wife fire mine up today and on the first turnover.....I didnt hear anything. On the next 3 start ups, it made the sound. It definately is not a belt and sounds like it is coming from the top, rear portion of the engine (closest to dash board). Is there a right up on cam sync replacement? How long does it take? I dont need my truck for a couple of weeks anyway, so I might have to put this off till I have some spare time.

Thanks again guys!

dibbs191 · #14 10-24-2011, 05:09 PM

i fired mine up today after it had been sitting in the sun and it squealed for a good 30 min, then when i cranked it again the sqeal was gone, then came back once the engine had cooled.

Fordzilla80 · #15 10-24-2011, 07:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by webster426

I had the wife fire mine up today and on the first turnover.....I didnt hear anything. On the next 3 start ups, it made the sound. It definately is not a belt and sounds like it is coming from the top, rear portion of the engine (closest to dash board). Is there a right up on cam sync replacement? How long does it take? I dont need my truck for a couple of weeks anyway, so I might have to put this off till I have some spare time.

Thanks again guys!

I hate to link to another forum, but the pictures and write up here are pretty good.

http://www.rangerpowersports.com/for...nc-226230.html

http://www.rangerpowersports.com/for...-a-226289.html