E350 Droning noise

E350love · 06-04-2021, 02:14 PM

Ford E350 droning noise at 40 mph and up.What could cause this? Sound lowers when letting off the gas.Had driveline checked,new front tires,frontend alignment,muffler and resonator. Noise fills the van,sound like its coming from the exhaust. Has anyone had this problem? The noise is unbearable while driving.
The catalytic converters were removed two years ago.

N147JK · 06-04-2021, 02:31 PM

To clarify.. the noise comes on when the engine is powered up. It is not related to the speed of the vehicle. Is that correct?

E350love · 06-04-2021, 02:49 PM

No ,only when diving at 40 mph up.No noise when just at idle.

Twoxentrix · 06-04-2021, 03:49 PM

is it intermittent? Or does it make the noise above 40mph all the time (and constantly)? And you stated "sound lowers when you let off the gas"...are you saying it goes away all together or just becomes a little quieter?

marret · 06-04-2021, 03:57 PM

Any difference when in neutral above 40 mph?

E350love · 06-04-2021, 05:01 PM

Sound stays while driving,it just lowers as you let off on the gas.

E350love · 06-04-2021, 05:04 PM

Haven't put it in neutral while over 40 mph.

Twoxentrix · 06-04-2021, 05:41 PM

This is a Hail Mary & will sound crazy, but I just went through something very similar...had everything mechanical checked out with no resolve. Turned out it was the black rubber strip across the top of the front windshield - the top middle had come unglued and would begin vibrating at higher speeds. It was very loud inside the cab, and sounded mechanical & like it was coming from underneath the van.
At the very least rule this out (since its the last thing anyone would look for)...would be great for you if it ended out this simple.

E350love · 06-04-2021, 06:03 PM

I will check that out.Thanks

86Scotty · 06-04-2021, 08:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by E350love

Ford E350 droning noise at 40 mph and up.What could cause this? Sound lowers when letting off the gas.Had driveline checked,new front tires,frontend alignment,muffler and resonator. Noise fills the van,sound like its coming from the exhaust. Has anyone had this problem? The noise is unbearable while driving.
The catalytic converters were removed two years ago.

You have answered your own question. The cats were removed. The drone in every van I've had with a lousy aftermarket exhaust or removed cats was unbearable, just as you describe, and it is worse on throttle, as you describe. When you let off the gas (and coast) it gets a lot quieter.

Put the cats back on. You aren't doing anything without them but poisoning yourself.