I'm working on a 99 3.8 Windstar. It has a squealing noise on cold starts, sometimes while it's warm, near the front of the engine. I listened with a stethoscope and decided on a water pump, after replacing the belt. Neither part helped. I took the belt off, and it does it with it completely off. Is it something in the timing cover? Any help will be greatly appreciated. The timing cover looks like a bear, the pump was bad enough for me. Thanks.

393c Stroker

 

Check the camshaft position sensor. The bearing in that part will squeal when it goes bad. It is not driven by the belt.

 

http://www.automotivehelper.com/topic232834.htm

This guy says the fuel injection synchronizer is beneath camshaft position sensor. This part has a bearing that will squeal and chirp loudly and will drive your wife to threaten you with divorce if you don't get it fixed, LOL!

Here's the post:
If that noise is a sort of metallic chirping sound coming from the timing cover area and it is not the serpentine belt, or any of ancillary pulleys than it most likely is the fuel injection synchronizer. This is actually underneath the cam position sensor. It is not too difficult to replace (part number xf2z-12a362-aa at Ford dealer lists for $110.) but does require a factory special tool to align when re-installing.