24.5 3.0L V6 - Very loud squealing sound on boost

[alex.ranger]

Hey, everyone,

I hate that my first post is about a problem, but that does seem to be the way of the world. No one usually makes any noise about good things.

I've had my 24.5 Ranger WildTrak 3.0L V6 for over a month and am up to just under 1600 kilometres / 1000 miles. I love it, even though it has quite a few quirks, which didn't come out in my several extended test drives in varying conditions.

About one week ago, I started experiencing what I can only describe as a "beep" or "chirp" from the vehicle when it was still warming up and under moderate load. I'm not talking about 30 seconds after starting; it occurs for up to 10-15 minutes after the car is started and driven.

I wasn't able to capture the "beep". However, it seems to have developed into a loud squeal/whine when on boost, which I have been able to record.

I took it to my local dealership, and they watched my recordings and said, "Some of them just have loud turbos." I find this odd as someone who has owned several turbo vehicles, including similar-sized turbo diesel engines. When I drove the demo vehicle (from cold), it did not make this noise, nor did mine until it had done a few hundred kilometres.

I'll link some videos in the following comment.

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[alex.ranger]

Links to videos.
Note: The iPhone recording reduces the high-pitched whine/squeal volume.

[1 of 4]

[2 of 4]

[3 of 4]

[4 of 4]


Thanks!

 

[stuartmunto]

Sounds like an air or vacuum leak?? Does the sound happen at a particular RPM or is it more throttle position?

I would try taking it to another dealer, or show these videos to a reputable mechanic and see what they say?

- Edit: rewatched video 3 and it looks like the sound happens around 2,000 - 2,500 rpm. But it's upshifting too early to know if it happens through the entire rev range or not

 

[alex.ranger]

Thanks for the reply, Stuart!

Sounds like an air or vacuum leak?? Does the sound happen at a particular RPM or is it more throttle position?

From what I can tell, it seems to be at approximately 50-75% throttle and more boost-related or load-related than RPM. The pitch frequency doesn't seem to change across RPM either.

I would try taking it to another dealer, or show these videos to a reputable mechanic and see what they say?

This dealer is already 35 minutes from home. My next closest dealer is about 1.5 hours away, so I think my next step is to report it to Ford HQ in Australia.

If that doesn't prompt my local dealer to fix it, I'll be off to a reputable mechanic to diagnose it and then take it to another dealer. In the worst-case scenario, I can make a day trip from my servicing days with another dealer, but I'd rather not.

 

[stuartmunto]

Thanks for the reply, Stuart!



From what I can tell, it seems to be at approximately 50-75% throttle and more boost-related or load-related than RPM. The pitch frequency doesn't seem to change across RPM either.



This dealer is already 35 minutes from home. My next closest dealer is about 1.5 hours away, so I think my next step is to report it to Ford HQ in Australia.

If that doesn't prompt my local dealer to fix it, I'll be off to a reputable mechanic to diagnose it and then take it to another dealer. In the worst-case scenario, I can make a day trip from my servicing days with another dealer, but I'd rather not.

Good plan. I would be worried that if it isn't an air/vacuum leak then it could be early signs of turbo failure. Either way, that sound isn't good and does not sound like a 'loud turbo' to me - that's not the good kind of turbo noise that we want to hear!

Crazy that the dealer didn't even try to investigate it at all - it could cost them a lot more in warranty repairs should something catastrophic happen due to this

 

[Jason B]

I would check all intake hose/tubing connections for a loose connection.
It sounds like an air leak.

 

[Thenry150]

Good plan. I would be worried that if it isn't an air/vacuum leak then it could be early signs of turbo failure. Either way, that sound isn't good and does not sound like a 'loud turbo' to me - that's not the good kind of turbo noise that we want to hear!

Crazy that the dealer didn't even try to investigate it at all - it could cost them a lot more in warranty repairs should something catastrophic happen due to this

Some dealers don't care, they just charge the cost off to Ford corporate. I would contact Ford cust srvc and tell them your issue and the dealer reply.

 

[Alaska Steve]

If it’s rpm related, pop the hood and have a friend or family member press the accelerator through about 3500 rpm and try to locate the noise source and record it. You might be able to get a better perspective of the problem that way.

 

[alex.ranger]

Some dealers don't care, they just charge the cost off to Ford corporate. I would contact Ford cust srvc and tell them your issue and the dealer reply.

Yep... It isn't very pleasant. I'm 100% going to Ford Customer Service to raise this. To be honest, I won't play the "make noise" game at the dealer. If they don't do the right thing, I'll keep going over their heads.

If it’s rpm related, pop the hood and have a friend or family member press the accelerator through about 3500 rpm and try to locate the noise source and record it. You might be able to get a better perspective of the problem that way.

Not a bad idea. I do think it's "load" and "boost" related, not so much RPM. I'll give that a go tomorrow and hopefully record the sound.

 

[alex.ranger]

For any other owners who come across a similar issue:

Today, I noticed that the intermittent squeal has seemingly worsened into a loud, much higher-pitched, constant whine/squeal, seemingly correlated to boost or engine load.

It's essentially the exact sound you used to get from old CRT TVs. It's constantly at a low level but worsens significantly as load/boost increases.

It cannot be replicated in Neutral or Park, and this is likely because the turbo doesn't spool very much without a load on the engine. Due to this, I think we can eliminate a few things, like belts and possibly the transfer case,, as I believe most of the components spin even when disengaged.

I am writing an email to Ford Australia today and will call them tomorrow.

I love this car/ute, but driving with this sort of sound constantly is giving me a headache

 

[RANGER/HOBB]

Focuse on the

For any other owners who come across a similar issue:

Today, I noticed that the intermittent squeal has seemingly worsened into a loud, much higher-pitched, constant whine/squeal, seemingly correlated to boost or engine load.

It's essentially the exact sound you used to get from old CRT TVs. It's constantly at a low level but worsens significantly as load/boost increases.

It cannot be replicated in Neutral or Park, and this is likely because the turbo doesn't spool very much without a load on the engine. Due to this, I think we can eliminate a few things, like belts and possibly the transfer case,, as I believe most of the components spin even when disengaged.

I am writing an email to Ford Australia today and will call them tomorrow.

I love this car/ute, but driving with this sort of sound constantly is giving me a headache

This description you’ve provided, is more consistent with a turbocharger failure imminent.

 

[alex.ranger]

This description you’ve provided, is more consistent with a turbocharger failure imminent.

I agree. I've had several turbo cars (diesel and petrol) and never experienced this myself. However, several friends with turbo vehicles described the exact symptoms that resulted in a failed turbo.

I am incredibly frustrated by my local dealership for completely dismissing my initial reports when I visited on Monday.

I'll call them tomorrow to let them know I've also reached out to Ford Australia. Hopefully, it's the kick up the backside they need to sort this out.

 

[Alaska Steve]

At least it’s under warranty… good luck getting it resolved

 

[alex.ranger]

So far, NOT so good.

Etheridge Ford Lilydale stands by the "no abnormal turbo noise at the time of testing" and went for a road test with me. The tech and I heard the noise as per the videos, and they doubled down on "no abnormal turbo noise". We couldn't replicate the newer, higher-pitched frequency without a much longer drive, which they didn't have time for.

They said most Next Gen Ranger/Everest vehicles they work on have the same sound, which I find hard to believe because 1) none of the demo vehicles I drove for 4+ hours had this issue, 2) no other owner I have spoken to has this issue, and 3) no one on this forum has commented saying they've experienced the same thing.

Ford HQ Customer Service has asked me to take it to another dealer, which is not for another 3 weeks. I am unsure what will happen if that other Ford dealer says the same thing...

In the meantime, I will take it to my local diesel specialist mechanics and get them to take a look.

If this is normal, I don't know why no other owners I know have experienced it.

 

[jimbob351]

So far, NOT so good.

Etheridge Ford Lilydale stands by the "no abnormal turbo noise at the time of testing" and went for a road test with me. The tech and I heard the noise as per the videos, and they doubled down on "no abnormal turbo noise". We couldn't replicate the newer, higher-pitched frequency without a much longer drive, which they didn't have time for.

They said most Next Gen Ranger/Everest vehicles they work on have the same sound, which I find hard to believe because 1) none of the demo vehicles I drove for 4+ hours had this issue, 2) no other owner I have spoken to has this issue, and 3) no one on this forum has commented saying they've experienced the same thing.

Ford HQ Customer Service has asked me to take it to another dealer, which is not for another 3 weeks. I am unsure what will happen if that other Ford dealer says the same thing...

In the meantime, I will take it to my local diesel specialist mechanics and get them to take a look.

If this is normal, I don't know why no other owners I know have experienced it.

Just wondering if you got this resolved? I've noticed my 24.5 making the same noise. Cheers

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