I got Howling Hoot Owls

[Dahoopd]

Ok, heres the deal. I went out this morning and started the car with my trusty screw driver because I still cant find the problem. Anyway, once it was started I had this intermittant howl under the hood. It was very faint. It would get louder and howl longer when cracking the throttle. It did this for about 5 miles on the way to work. I got to work and figured I would search it out under the hood. The owls went away. No noise when on throttle.

Can there be an IC leak when its cold and then disapear after the engine is fully heated. Or maybe noisey water pump bearings. The noise seems to be around front right side of the motor (drivers side) near the Alt and IC. Any ideas or am I on dope.

[BobGPz]

.....had this intermittant howl under the hood. It was very faint. It would get louder and howl longer when cracking the throttle. It did this for about 5 miles on the way to work... The noise seems to be around front right side of the motor (drivers side) near the Alt and IC. Any ideas or am I on dope.
"Seems"??? Did you pop the hood and listen or just heard it while driving? Make sure it isn't actually coming from the Air Cleaner. With the cold morning air, that was the first sign of my IAC going bad was the real low "Howl" in cold brisk air and usually did it when the car wasn't completely up to normal temp. When I shut off the car, after a few weeks like that, it would make a "dying goose honk" as some call it. Then when it finally went kaput months later the thing idled at 2500 rpm's and dumped massive fuel into the engine. Keep an eye on it and listen for that sound by the air cleaner.

[VAdoug]

YES, I had the same problem several years back and it turned out to be the IAC motor ( located on the side of the throttle body ). It made that distinctive "hoot" or "honk" sound. I was confused as well until I traced it to the IAC motor. Have someone start the car and then shut it off while listening closely to the air box, it should make that "goose" sound. What happens is that the motor contains a sort of Accordion-like boot that surrounds and protects a small plunger, this plunger opens and closes to adjust idle speed, The "accordian" is plastic and forms cracks and separates over time. As the air flows through the broken cover and creates that "hoot" sound that you hear. Bottom line, 90% chance its the IAC motor that is bad.
You might try to replicate the sound with the engine running and then disconnect the connector to the IAC motor to see it the noise goes right away...........

[MIKE 38sc]

Guy's the proper name for it is "Moosing" or "Moose call". All Ford tech's know it by that name. :D :D :p

[Dahoopd]

I could be tone deaf but it definately sounds as if its coming from around the IC tubes or the alt or even lower. The problem is........NOW! you can call me stupid, I am running my car with an open MAF. NO filter, no box. When I crack the throttle I cant hear it from that side because of the MAF sucking so much air. I just need to get someone to hit the throttle while I listen.

Just in case it is the IAC and I will replace it for the hell of it. Where can I get it and what do they cost. Thanks once again for the help.

[BobGPz]

They are about $80 and I wouldn't bother replacing unless you are:
A) Rich or B)Bored :D Get it from Ford as a lot of aftermarket ones aren't right..