SoMDf150

I have a 2008 crew cab F150, 5.4 V8 with 4WD and approximately 124k miles. I bought it in 2012 with 73k miles on it. This morning when I started the truck, it made a loud squealing/screeching noise after starting and continued for about a minute then cut off. This is the first time I've heard the sound since owning the truck. The sound was happening when I was going less than 10 MPH backing out of a driveway and then stopped. My dad borrowed the truck about a week or 2 ago and said he heard the same sound after starting as well. To the best of my knowledge, this is only the second time it's happened. Could it just be from the cold weather? Many google searches resulted in cold weather being an issue but I live in MD so the weather isn't too cold yet. Can anyone help/have suggestions on things I can check when I get home from work?


Thanks!

HulluCorn

Inspect your belt. Might be time for a new one.

Kray

TNathe

Its your belt(s). Cold weather will def make it prone to sqeelching but that means your belt is old and stretched. It will get worse eventually.

SoMDf150

Thanks!


I will definitely check out the belt when I get home though it wasn't a typical belt going bad sound.

HulluCorn

If it's not the belt.. the only thing i can think of is the power steering pump. Check the fluid there. Gl

Ricktwuhk

Humidity will also cause it. A rainy day for example.

Sometimes you can go quite a bit on a belt like that. Other times, it gets too loose or breaks.

Belt replacement is frighteningly easy. Google your year and model and you'll find videos that show it.

My son and I replaced the belt on his former '98 Explorer in 10 minutes.

SoMDf150

Thank you.


I have seen everything from serpentine belts, alternator going back, power steering to idler pulleys. Most of these answers also had the squealing at high speeds making it a different case than mine. The sound is ONLY shortly after starting up.




Another question, in the past when I've had a belt go bad, the sound would continue to be there while driving. This sound is there for 20-30 seconds then stops and doesn't come back. Could the sound just kind of be an early sign of belt damage?

SoMDf150

Not worried about changing a belt, just thought it didn't sound like a belt going bad. Thank you.

TNathe

Yeah, even though it goes away its still the belt. Its goes away because the belt becomes warm and pliable allowing it not to slip on the pulley wheels. My wifes civic was goving here the embarassing "hey look at me" sqeelching and i just had to tighten up the alternator belt (was recently replaced so i knew it didnt get tightened down properly).

SoMDf150

Thanks everyone! Also, sorry if this was a dumb question.