Tradewind558

I have a 97 expedition 5.4 recently when driving I noticed a very light humming noise when giving her throttle, when I release the throttle she quiets down. The truck has 158xxx and runs and drives great. I had the fluid changed in the fall and am thinking maybe they used regular oil instead of synthetic? I dunno but I am going up north this weekend 160 miles and dont want no problems. I have had older fords 86 and 88 that hummed when giving throttle then would quiet down when throttle was released, but never had any major problems with them but with the expedition she has never hummed which worries me. Any advice would be helpful

360ci

If you keep up with transmission services a difference of oil shouldn't create an abnormal noise. Synthetics allow better wear characteristics and flow better, but conventional ATF would easily work in your '97 Ex. Ford uses Mercon V, which is a full synthetic fluid and I don't think you can even buy previous Mercon brands anymore.

If you haven't already, check the fluid level to make sure it isn't overfilled or underfilled. I've had some underfilled transmission make some noise, but not constant humming.

Some things to look at are properly wearing tires (I know, you think you'd hear them hum all the time, but you'd be surprised). Next, check out the differentials. A worn differential, such as ring/pinion gears can cause a hum if they're not exactly aligned.

On my Dodge Durango, it always emits a light humming noise when I give it throttle. It's due to mostly to the injectors and such.

Lastly, just as an experiment, try driving the vehicle in 2nd and 3rd gears up to 40mph. RPMS will be high, but it'll keep over drive locked off. If the noise goes away when your in a lower gear then I'd have someone look deeper into the transmission. If the noise remains when in the lower gears, then I wouldn't worry about it - your baby's gettin' old!

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'00 Durango R/T 360ci 290hp (modded); 138,500m
'06 Pontiac G6 GT 3.5L 220hp; 44,000m
'12 Chrysler 200 Limited 3.6L 283hp; 13,000m
'99 Taurus 3.0L 2V Vulcan 145hp; 154,300m - Traded
Amsoil in all vehicles!