I have a 2003 mustang v6, a few weeks ago I started getting an intermittent squeaking sound from a pully, but it wasn't severe. The other day the car quit on me when I put it in reverse, started right back up, then it happened again an hour later. The next day the same thing happened as I slowed to almost a stop to make a right turn. I noticed that the pully noise behind right before the car stalls. Now I can hear the noise as I'm driving and the rpms will drop like the car is trying to stall but it recovers. I recorded a video or it stalling, this was in my driveway, sometimes it goes 15 minutes, sometimes hours. https://youtu.be/tWEvUguV7qs
I took the belt off, all pulleys feel smooth. No error codes are present. Could this be harmonic balancer? Or a bearing? The engine runs and sounds smooth.
I think HillBilly is right about the alternator since your voltage is dropping. But, don't rule out the A/C compressor as going bad, it doesn't have to be on to start squealing intermittently. A few months ago my 2000 Maxima began squealing intermittently from the engine compartment. Drove me crazy trying to pinpoint it because it was intermittent. Listened with a stethoscope and eventually heard the A/C compressor bearings rattling. Got louder when I turned the A/C on.
Camshaft synchronizer was bad. Located right behind water pump so thought sound was from there. Apparently the synchronizer will move when worn or failing and it will hit the sensor causing engine to lose power. Thanks to @hillbilly for leading me in the cam shaft direction!
The bad synchronizer, about 50 bucks and 2 hours. I was contemplating a new crankshaft and harmonic balancer.
You did an excellent job yourself there sir! Calm and persistence : ) Glad your back up and going and Merry Christmas : )
Next project is to figure out the rear end noise lol, but I appreciate everyone's input, merry Christmas to all!
No codes eh? Interesting. Whats bat voltage doing during this time frame? Initial leaning toward alt bad hence check voltage. Should have thrown a code though...
Just noticed listened to vidy, keep ac off... . Sounded like a bearing getting hot and sieging thus loading the motor excessively on the ac compressor, ps unit, water pump, etc belt accessory. AC compression most common culprit with this but others belt driving acc will cause it too.
@hillbilly
I havent had the ac on during this time, its been very cool here and I've had my windows down listening for the noise the last couple times. I replaced the idler pulley but no change. Ive tried to listen but its very intermittent now, but the chances I have had it sounds like it's coming from crank. I purchased the car about 2 months ago. It's a 2003, 99k miles, I believe it has sat around for a long period of time somewhere.
@hillbilly
Just drove the car to work, voltage stays 13.6 to 14.0 while running. When it made the squealing noise it dropped to 13.4 for a second. Its still doing it occassionally, but it seems a lot quicker, before it would make the noise for 15 seconds before it seemed like it world sieze up, now its only a second or 2, had the heater on so definitely no ac on. Any suggestions? I'm trying to avoid the shop if possible.
If voltage at idle is greater than 13.4, I suspect the alt is locking up intermittently for varying time periods, hence voltage drop. Keep watching that voltage and if the squeal lasts longer and you notice a further volt drop, replace alt would be my next step.
@hillbilly
Well I had a thought, so I took the serpentine belt off just to eliminate the accessories, and it still made the sounds, so not im down to the crank. Sounds getting worse. Here's a new video
https://youtu.be/BDRwa0ZrM0M
First, let me say that was a great taking the belt off. I don't ever recommend that as I don't know customers capability (size, strength, tools, mech knowledge) and thus not only damage but physical harm. Anyway, right thing to do. I'm gonna do an fft on the audio in a bit and see if there's more clues. At this point, a guess would be timing chain tensioner... but lets see if I uncover anything in the fft as that shouldn't have caused it to stall. Can you record realtime obd data? Any recent work been done on the car?
Ok, seems strange but possible... cam shaft bearing. I put a link in your u tube. I still don't see this causing a stall as more noise/damage/running issues should be present imo. However, I'm old enough to never say never! Good luck and please keep us posted.
@hillbilly
From your link I found videos on the cam shaft synchronizer that seem like exactly the same symptoms and sounds, so im ordering one now, hope to have it tomorrow and give that a try, several videos had ppl already replaced idler pully which i did and water pump, which I bought and was going to install when I took the belt off the water pump felt great so I had the idea to try without the belt. Hope this fixes it.
Yep, me too! Please keep us posted and gl : )
I’m going with A/C compressor there should be a plug for a compressor clutch unplug it and see if it stops if not might be water pump bearing. I have a Toyota echo that took me a while to figure out it was the A/C because whether or not you have the A/C on or not it kicks in to keep the high side up to pressure
