JUST REPLACED MY ALTANATOR AND NOW VAN IS MAKING A VERY LOUD SOUND. LIKE ITS A BELT

Question edited for clarity and fix funky punctuation and lack of spaces.
Question moved to model category.

My first thought was that the timing belt had snapped, but you have a timing chain and it says this

Does a Ford Windstar have a timing belt or chain?
Best Answer. Your Ford Windstar had two engine options and they both ran a timing chain, not a timing belt. Belts need to be replaced at around 100K miles, but since you have a hardened steel timing chain, you have nothing to worry about. Your chain should last the life of the engine without being serviced.
May 28, 2019

Has the oil ever been changed. You saying there was a 'pop' concerns me but it may have been a backfire, or unburned fuel popping through the Throttle Body.

And then there is the grinding sound, but that might just be the starter on the flywheel.

The only way to diagnose is to call out a mobile mechanic.

https://www.google.com/search?q=mobile+mechanic+near+me

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you never have to drain it but never let it run dry the loud squealing sound is prob your belt which may need the idler pulley replaced , this is my quess

It sounds like it to me. Your van has a serpentine belt which is pulled tightly by the tensioner pulley, hint the name "tension" pulley. If this is defective you will experience the problems/symptoms you have listed, hard steering, over heating, and the clunking,which must be the defective tension pulley. All those problems should resolve immediately after it is replaced. Don't forget to replace the serpentine belt too, for preventative measures. How this helps...

check drive belt driving altanator and air con it sounds like it needs adjusting

sound like a CV shaft,now you need to figure out which one LorR

very posible its the ac compressor and yes it has to be replaced complete take belts off turn pulleys one at time and check for play at pulleys if any noise coming out of ethere one thats the problem ok

Misalignment of the belt, incorrect belt, worn or loose tensioner, Too tight of an adjustment (many service centers do this on purpose so when the belt breaks in it becomes properly adjusted, I do not believe in this philosophy), The belt is actually one long belt called a serpentine belt.....

there should be a tensioner that allows you to put it back on by pushing it down with a wrench makin it easy to put it back on

When you have the belt off, spin that idler pulley and see if it turns easily or makes noise. Check if the bearing feels good and smooth or if it wobbles any. While you are at it, check the fan and fan clutch to see if they turn smoothly also. There should be some resistance to the fan clutch, and make sure the fan isn't rubbing on anything.

Replacing the idler pulley is usually done as a unit since the bearing is part of the pulley.

spray some wd40 on the pulley or you can spray belt dressing on the belt. It may be another pulley that needs a lubrication job