2001 Engine Noise when Cold

[ajalb]

I recently purchased a 2001 Taurus SES with 20,000 miles. It runs well except I noticed that during cold weather starts (30s & 40s) it sounds like there are bad bearings somewhere around the area where the drive belt is. The noise dissapears when it warms up. Any ideas!?

[umina]

I notice the same thing with my 01, with 37,000 miles? I sure hope its not bad internal motor bearings, but where the noise is localized on the front passenger Side, I'm more inclined to think its maybe the tensioner bearing??

[vicv]

If you are using the correct grade of oil in the engine (5w-30w) I would discount an oil starved condition internal to the engine. My guess is the idler/tensioner pulley.

[ajalb]

Originally Posted by ajalb

I recently purchased a 2001 Taurus SES with 20,000 miles. It runs well except I noticed that during cold weather starts (30s & 40s) it sounds like there are bad bearings somewhere around the area where the drive belt is. The noise dissapears when it warms up. Any ideas!?

It turns out the fix was as simple as a new serpentine belt. I changed it myself and it cost about $70. $50 dollars for the oem belt and $20 for the serpentine belt tool at the local parts place. It took me about ten minutes to change with the help of a friend taking the tension off the belt while I removed the old belt and installed the new one. Good luck!