2002 Ford Escape High pitch squealing noise

JJ962

MEMBER
2002 FORD ESCAPE
3.0L
V6
4WD
AUTOMATIC
230,000 MILES

My 2002 Ford Escape with V6 has recently been making a high pitch squealing noise. The noise is intermittent. It usually happens when I am demanding more power from the engine. Usually when the engine is doing 2-3,000 rpm such as going up a hill in town or when travelling on the highway 65-70 MPH and going up a hill. I cannot replicate the noise in my garage when the vehicle is in park. Low below freezing temperatures seem to make the noise more noticeable.

I have already done several preventative maintenance easy items including:

1. Change the serpentine belt and belt tensioner
2. Change the water pump belt
3. Fuel Filter

Any idea what could be causing this noise and how to fix it?

Thanks,
Jay

1 Reply

CJ MEDEVAC

MECHANIC
11,004 POSTS

THIS MAY OR MAY NOT BE YOUR PROBLEM

FROM THE SOUND OF THINGS IT MAKES THE RACKET OR CHANGES PITCH WITH THE OPENING OR CLOSING OF THE THROTTLE BODY BUTTERFLY

ON SOME VEHICLES I'VE SEEN WITH THIS SORTA SITUATION, SORTA SOUNDED LIKE A "KAZOO"

IT EVEN SOUNDS LIKE IT'S COMING FROM EVERYWHERE, AND ON A FEW, SOME PEOPLE HAVE CHANGED THEIR ALTERNATOR, BELT(S), TENSIONERS. ETC IN AN ATTEMPT TO MAKE IT STOP!

YOU CAN TAKE A HEATER HOSE OR GARDEN HOSE A FEW FEET LONG AND MAYBE VERIFY WHERE THE NOISE IS ORIGINATING

STICK ONE END IN YOUR EAR--USE THE OTHER LIKE A STETHOSCOPE. FOR SURE, TRY IT AROUND THE THROTTLE BODY AREA

WHAT MAY BE HAPPENING IS CARBON BUILD UP ON THE BUTTERFLY OR EVEN AROUND IT IS MAKING IT "WHISTLE"

EVEN IF I'M WRONG. THIS WILL HURT NUTHIN'!

REMOVE THE PLASTIC SNORKLE/ SNOUT OFF OF YOUR THROTTLE BODY (THE THINGEE FRESH AIR COMES THRU)

USING "THROTTLE BODY CLEANER" SPRAY THE BUTTERFLY AND THE INSIDE OF THE BODY.

. THEN ACTUATE AND HOLD THE THROTTLE LINKAGE (THIS WILL OPEN THE BUTTERFLY FULLY) SPRAY THE SIDE THAT YOU COULDN'T SEE BEFORE AND INSIDE THE BODY BEHIND IT

YOU MIGHT SORTA GIVE IT A QUICK WASH WITH THE CLEANER 1ST GO 'ROUND, LET IT SIT A FEW MINUTES TO DISSOLVE STUFF, THEN HIT IT AGAIN

RETURN HERE WITH GOOD NEWS!

THE MEDIC

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