When I first start my car up the engine sounds normal, but then once I get driving this squeaky sound starts coming from the engine. My dad thinks I might have a raidator leak some where, although I haven't lost any fluid in about a week since he refilled it. So I don't know if that has anything to do with it. Any ideas on what the noise could be? Thanks!

 

Could be the serpentine belt, check the tension on it and while you're at it you might as well see if its cracked and needs replaced. I don't think a leaking radiator will cause any kind of sound other than maybe hissing after the anti-freeze gets hot and pressurized.

 

Break out the WD40 and go nuts!

 

As Angelo said, it is most likely the serpwntine belt slipping, generally around the alternator. Get someone to lightly rev the engine with the hood up and you should be able to hear where the noise is coming from. My money is on the belt!

Good luck

James

 

yup, thats the belt for sure, like valentino said, chek for cracks,if it is ok, theres this spray u put omn the belt to stop it from sliping

 

tension will stop it from slipping and thus squeeking, a spray will stop it from squeeking only, and only for a while

 

Yep, you have to sort the tension out, otherwise, it is unlikely the alternator is putting enough charge to the battery....

 

Thanks for the suggestions guys! I really appreciate it. After listening more closely it sounds more like a ticking or a tapping noise, my girlfriend says my car sounds like a deisel truck now which is fairly accurate. My Dad said he thinks it could be one of the cylinder push rods. I've noticed the car hasn't felt as powerful. I'm bringing it to Ford this week, so hopefully they'll figure it out and fix it right the first time (cuz I've had to have my car in 2 or 3 times on a few occasions).

Thanks again everybody!

 

Good luck in getting it sorted Kevin

 

My car has been at the dealership now for three days, and they have the engine completely taken out and taken apart and they still haven't figured out what's wrong, I miss my car :bang:

 

hang in there buddy ur car will be ok!! now that the engine is apart tell them to clean in on the inside and stuff!!

 

a ticking or tapping sounds like it could be a valve issue. I don't know much about the 3.8s but I do know some 4.6s were known for having a ticking noise that Ford said was some kind of valve noise and they claimed it wouldn't affect anything... I'd hate to see your labor bill if they have your whole motor ripped apart!

 

Turns out one of the cylinder holes was defected and they said they can't just replace the cylinder hole, they have to replace the whole engine. So I'm getting a new "rebuilt engine" installed. Lucky for me, I have an extended warranty, so my only cost will be a $50 deductible. Plus now I get a 36,000 mile warranty on the new engine on top of that. So now I just have to wait another week for the engine to come in and be installed, and pray that the new engine won't open up a door of whole new problems, which seems to be my experience with the car so far. With all of the problems I've had, I'm starting to seriously think my car might be a lemon, or I just have really bad luck. 30,000 miles and a new engine already? :scratch:

 

$50 is cheap!
Glad it worked out for you