Hello everyone,
I am the owner of a 1997 Ford Expedition Eddie Bauer 5.4 liter 4WD with 230,000 miles. At start up, my engine produces a loud screeching sound that only lasts about 1/2 second and goes away. This noise does not happen at every startup. It's an intermittent problem. The sound is produced at anytime time of the day when the engine is cold or hot. I decided to take it to a reputable shop and they diagnosed the noise as a worn serpentine belt, faulty belt tensioner and a worn belt pulley. These items were replaced and the noise continued. So, I took it back to the shop and they started to isolate the sound by testing different systems. They decided to take off the serpentine belt and start the car. The sound continued. So now everything that was connected by the serpentine belt (A.C., water pump, power steering, crankshaft, alternator, etc.) was ruled out. That leads us to this post. If the serpentine belt and all the components connected by the belt are not making the loud screech at start up, what could be causing this loud annoying sound? Any help would be greatly appreciated since the garage that I normally take my car to cannot help me.

 

Just a shot in the dark, that the dealer should have already ruled out. Starter staying out too long after engine cranks, could cause a sound like that. But have they narrowed the noise to the front of the engine? It would rule out the starter if so, since the starter is towards the back.

 

Hello,
I'm taking the Expedition back to the garage to check on the starter this Friday. Please listen to the noise from the attached file. Hopefully, a new starter will take care of the noise. If not, the search will continue. I am determined to find a solution.