Awful squeal at start-up

[Kofkof_00]

I'm still trying to ferret out my weird sugre issue.

Now I have a new symptom. I don't think it's related. It squeals when I start up from cold.

Any ideas? (sounds horrible) If I rev a little, it dies down. She has oil, I checked.

[JohnGunn]

Only squeal I've heard from my '90 L 5-speed was from a slipping belt. If you have a manual transmission it might be coming from a failing throwout bearing. Test that by engaging and releasing the clutch with the transmission in neutral, listening for associated changes in sound. Also you might want to check for correct clutch pedal freeplay.

John Gunn
Coronado, CA

[hofficergrover]

My car does this. It wil idel a little different when you push the clutch in and let it out will change the idle by a little.

[perucho]

Have you checked your belts? Start the car with the hood open, and while you hear the squeal, spray some belt dressing on the belts. If the noise goes away, make sure you have the right tension on them or replace them.

[stepnoff]

Check alternator belt...didn't tighten mine up enough after changing the timing belt and had a similar squeal.

[ejp2fast]

it very likely is your alt belt... inspect and if in decent condition make sure you have the correct tension on it then spray it with WD-40 or something.. should fix it.

[Kofkof_00]

Hmmmm doesn't do it if I top up the oil level

(checked the belt, thxs to all for the advice)

[ejp2fast]

kofkof, check your pm

[FB71]

Sounds like rockers shafts are plugged with sludge (common on B3 and B6, especially in colder climates), and starving the two two end cam journals of oil. When the oil warms up, its viscosity reduces, and can pass thru the restriction to the journals.

[nascarjunkie]

Sounds like rockers shafts are plugged with sludge (common on B3 and B6, especially in colder climates), and starving the two two end cam journals of oil. When the oil warms up, its viscosity reduces, and can pass thru the restriction to the journals.

Any quick fix for this problem????

[WmWatt]

Chemical cleaning should help. I used the stuff you put in the oil just before changing it, let the engine idle for up to 5 min (no longer to protect aluminum from chemicals as per instrctuions on label), then drain oil and add new. It cleared up some carbon built up on one of my exhaust valves.

[1988redfordfestiva]

water pump timing belt tension or belt of those 3

[Pu241]

water pump timing belt tension or belt of those 3

Thought the samething till:

Hmmmm doesn't do it if I top up the oil level

(checked the belt, thxs to all for the advice)

Think FB71 has probably got it!

Sounds like rockers shafts are plugged with sludge (common on B3 and B6, especially in colder climates), and starving the two two end cam journals of oil. When the oil warms up, its viscosity reduces, and can pass thru the restriction to the journals.

[Pu241]

Chemical cleaning should help. I used the stuff you put in the oil just before changing it, let the engine idle for up to 5 min (no longer to protect aluminum from chemicals as per instrctuions on label), then drain oil and add new. It cleared up some carbon built up on one of my exhaust valves.

Agreed, things like Seafoam, Marvel Mystery Oil, should help with issues like this.
Also agree with not leaving it in the crankcase for long term, but for different reasons.
Hadn't been aware of the aluminum issue.
Check this link out for more info and a different interpretation of how to use these materials.
I will also be posting a rather lengthly reply to the thread below, when I finish some research.

http://www.fordfestiva.com/forums/showthread.php?t=27475

[miami man]

how about some rislone