Squeaking when starting/warming up

[plipnoggen]

Hello -- I noticed a squeaking/creaking sound when I first turn on my bronco (it's been there since I bought it).

It appears to be coming from this thing... it moves back and forth and squeaks. I assume it's priming something or just warming something up but I don't know what it is. The bar in the picture moves back and forth intermittently while the vehicle is warming up for the first minute or two.

What is this thing? I'm wondering if I can get to it any maybe put a little grease on it or something but I don't know what it is.

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[Newbie]

What is this thing?

Turbo Charger Assy:

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[plipnoggen]

I guess I'm not the only person with this... here's a reddit thread on it as well:

 

[Ford Motor Company]

Hello -- I noticed a squeaking/creaking sound when I first turn on my bronco (it's been there since I bought it).

It appears to be coming from this thing... it moves back and forth and squeaks. I assume it's priming something or just warming something up but I don't know what it is. The bar in the picture moves back and forth intermittently while the vehicle is warming up for the first minute or two.

What is this thing? I'm wondering if I can get to it any maybe put a little grease on it or something but I don't know what it is.

Hi there! Will you send us a message with your VIN and your local Ford dealer? I can look into things on my end.

 

[Generic Bronco]

I had a 2022 BB 2.3, and it never made this sound. I ordered a ‘23 BB 2.3, and I noticed this squeak after 1000 miles. It would not only squeak at idle, but also upon tapping the gas pedal at low speeds. I took it to the dealership, and the tech said it was a “seized up wastegate solenoid”.

They swapped out the entire turbo assembly. And, I still have that noise, but it’s not as loud as it was before, and it only squeaks on idle. I took it back to the dealership, and now they’re saying it’s a normal noise.

 

[plipnoggen]

I had a 2022 BB 2.3, and it never made this sound. I ordered a ‘23 BB 2.3, and I noticed this squeak after 1000 miles. It would not only squeak at idle, but also upon tapping the gas pedal at low speeds. I took it to the dealership, and the tech said it was a “seized up wastegate solenoid”.

They swapped out the entire turbo assembly. And, I still have that noise, but it’s not as loud as it was before, and it only squeaks on idle. I took it back to the dealership, and now they’re saying it’s a normal noise.

For me, it's only when the car is first turned on and only for the first minute or two. I don't notice it at all once I'm driving...

 

[Generic Bronco]

Same thing for me after the turbo replacement, it only makes that sound on idle for a couple of minutes then goes away.

 

[bradcd]

I'm pretty certain that's the wastegate actuator linkage moving. Too bad both sides of the arm are obscured with shrouds. The turbo side of that moving linkage typically has an exposed connection point that you could try greasing, maybe the noise would go away. Having a hard time deciding if the movement sound in your video is the vacuum, metal on metal, or both. Do you happen to have any mods or blow off valve? Check engine light? I vote the ECU is detecting an issue and trying to save itself.

 

[USSCajun]

Mine makes that noise on start-up. Once warm it is gone. Probably some emission related function.

 

[Mainer]

Mine does the same at warmup, then goes away.
there are other threads on here concerning this.

 

[JJHTX]

Mine does this too, mostly during startup. 2023 BD, 2.3 auto.

 

[Ford Motor Company]

Mine does this too, mostly during startup. 2023 BD, 2.3 auto.

Hey there, JJ! Can you please send me a PM with your VIN and dealer name/location so I can further look into this squeaking noise concern for you? To send a private message, just click on our username and select "Start Conversation". I'd be happy to see what I can do to assist!

 

[JJHTX]

@plipnoggen Curious to know if you resolved this issue? Ford Motor Co told me take it to dealer. Dealer told me they can’t replicate the issue (I showed them videos and everything). Happens every time on startup. They had my vehicle two weeks. I just don’t think they cared to listen and/or could not explain why the vehicle is making this noise- so they rather give me the lame “we can’t replicate” excuse.

 

[plipnoggen]

@plipnoggen Curious to know if you resolved this issue? Ford Motor Co told me take it to dealer. Dealer told me they can’t replicate the issue (I showed them videos and everything). Happens every time on startup. They had my vehicle two weeks. I just don’t think they cared to listen and/or could not explain why the vehicle is making this noise- so they rather give me the lame “we can’t replicate” excuse.

No, based on this thread, I haven't tried to resolve it. Initially I thought maybe it was something that could just be lubricated but knowing it's the turbo, I don't plan to do anything like that.

For me, it is only on startup. it's consistent -- it probably makes the noise 3-4 times on any given start. But I don't hear it after that.

Based on what others have said here, I really don't have any faith that a dealer is going to bother doing anything about it. I'm pretty much just resigned to leaving it be.

 

[JJHTX]

@plipnoggen I also don't have any more faith after having taken my vehicle to inspect both a brake click issue and this odd squeal noise. Thanks for responding!

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