1998 Continental - Squeeling and Low Coolant

[fjiwa]

I have a 1998 Lincoln Continental with about 190,000 kilometres.

There is this very loud squeeling/whistling noise under the hood. Most noticeable at cold start and then when accelerating. As you accelerate it gets louder. I took it to a shop and they said its the idler pulley or the belt. So I replaced belt, tensioner, and the idler pulley.

The noise went away for 2 days and then came back as loud as ever.

What else could be the problem? Extremely annoying noise, on the verge of just selling it! I bought a power steering pump but have not replaced it yet, could this be it?

Also, I have a coolant low warning. I fill the coolant and 2 weeks later I get another warning. The coolant is actually low when I check but a pressure test indicates there is no leak?? HELP!

Any help is appreciated.

[phrawg]

Probably a water pump going bad. bearings are shot.
but the seal is not, YET ! whats happening is that the bushing
or "bearing" is dry and squeals but the seal is still good enough
to stop water when it is sitting still and not rotating. (like when
you are using the pressure tester). When you run it and the shaft is
rotating, there is just enough vibration or run out due to the loose
bushing that there is a very slow coolant loss through the seal
under this operating condition. I would do some close examination
for this problem and see if that is not it. The reason for the short fix
of the noise is that the belt when brand new will twist the pump
shaft and not slip. BUT, now that there is a bit of wear and glaze
on the belt it will slip and squeal when the loose bushing binds as
it is trying to rotate. Hope this may help. Phrawg

[fjiwa]

Originally Posted by phrawg

Probably a water pump going bad. bearings are shot.
but the seal is not, YET ! whats happening is that the bushing
or "bearing" is dry and squeals but the seal is still good enough
to stop water when it is sitting still and not rotating. (like when
you are using the pressure tester). When you run it and the shaft is
rotating, there is just enough vibration or run out due to the loose
bushing that there is a very slow coolant loss through the seal
under this operating condition. I would do some close examination
for this problem and see if that is not it. The reason for the short fix
of the noise is that the belt when brand new will twist the pump
shaft and not slip. BUT, now that there is a bit of wear and glaze
on the belt it will slip and squeal when the loose bushing binds as
it is trying to rotate. Hope this may help. Phrawg

Thank you. I think this should do it. I also found another post on this forum with someone with the same problem and the water pump did it.
Will I now need a new belt (is the brand new one I put in a few weeks ago shot?)

[phrawg]

The belt replacement is a judgment call. If it is just glazed a slight bit from the slipping then no. Put some derssing on it and go. Remember the new pump wont put abuse on it like the existing one so it probably
would be good for most of the life expextancy of a new one. I would
use it unless it shows damage but keep an eye on it for a while for
faster than normal wear and replace accordingly.
Glad to help out. Phrawg

[98hotrod]

I had this same problem when i got the car,u need to change the alternator belt, and the low coolant is something i got after i changed the belt,i just forgot to plug back a sensor,so im guessing someone messed around with it and didnt plug it in so it says low coolant even though its not.
Meanwhile,by some no slip dressing and spray it on the belt every now and than.