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Sent to Car Experts January 10 2006 at 6:04 AM
   

I have a 2000 Ford Windstar minivan with 3.8L V6 and 65,000 miles. I have a problem with engine hesitation and chirp noise during cold start, which goes away after one minute of idling. I used my stethescope to isolate the noise, and it came from the water pump. So I performed the following maintenance:
-Changed water pump and flushed the cooling system
-Changed serpentine belt, belt tensioner, and idler pulley
-Checked bearing noise with stethoscope from power steering pump. alternator and A/C compressor. None was found.
-Changed spark plugs and added fuel injector cleaner

The hesitation and chirp noise are still there after maintenance during cold start only. Can the problem be the spark plug wires or possibly faulty head gasket?

Thanks,

Ted Naman

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2000 Ford Windstar 3.8L V6

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January 10 2006 at 6:23 AM (19 minutes and 31 seconds later)
         
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The chirping noise is most likely the alternator working hardest right after start up. The hesitation is most likely fuel oriented.You should check your fuel pressure and fuel pressure regulator.Yes also your problem could be bad plug wires but not likely. Check them over good for any soft spots or corrosion.

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Reply
January 10 2006 at 7:55 AM (1 hour and 31 minutes and 48 seconds later)
         
John,

Thanks for your reply. If the alternaotr is making the chirping noise, could it be from a dry bearing, which I can re-grease, ot is it from the stator or windings? This will dictate if I should buy a new/rebuilt alternator or grease the one I have. The voltage is OK. I checked it at 14.4 volts during cold start.
Also is the fuel pressure regulator easily accessible on this engine?

Thanks,

Ted
Customer (name blocked for privacy)
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