2000 Windstar - dragging noise

We were just given a 2000 Windstar by my father. When accelerating there is a very loud dragging sound. The best way I can describe it is that it sounds like an airplane taking off. What confuses me, is there is no shaking or issues with steering, no braking problems, etc. Just a very loud noise. Any ideas? I know he took good care of the vehicle, as we were given every single receipt from work done. He has driven this car all over the country for work and it runs fine, just noisy. :eek7:

Here's XM521's response to my post that was lost:

No, it only does it when the car is actually in motion. And we just had the emission tested on Mnday and it passed with flying colors. The only thing that changes the sound is speed, the faster I go , the louder it gets. But thank you for your suggestions


The AF lost my previous post where I suggested that the noise could be from the catalytic converter being plugged, causing an airy, rushing sound that would increase with rpm and acceleration. If someone still has a copy of it, I would appreciate it being cut and paste back. Whatever you do, DON'T refresh what you have or it will disappear. Hopefully, XM521, you have it as an email and can resubmit it for me.

I still like my cat conv. idea inspite of the passed inspection. I assume you have commpletely looked under the van for stray sticks, stems, leaves and other junk that could be rubbing on the ground and any turning part underneath, like tires, brake drums and rotors, and driveshafts? They can be hard to see. Is there a wheel well plastic or rubber guard or curtain rubbing on a tire, typically in the front? Could there be one dragging on the ground? Lastly, sometimes debris with get caught between the brake rotor and something stationary, like a rock guard found on the inboard side of the rotor. I once had a small rock stuck between the two. Boy!!! That was a horrible, noisy, screaching sound!!! It made everything hurt on you!?! If it's not the cat, than something is dragging somewhere. Anything else wrong at the same time?

Do you know where on the vehicle is the sound being made? If from a wheel, you could have a bad wheel bearing, brake dragging, emergency brake sticking (which can be checked by seeing if the van will drift in neutral down a slight hill just after applying and releasing the ebrake indicating it is not releasing), you may have junk in with the brakes, the rear wheel brake adjuster isn't right if drum brakes. Has the van sat for a long time before this started? Each wheel suspension needs a good lookover. If you do fix it, let us know what it was.