I have this intermittant, RPM-variable "squeak" coming from my engine... Not as high-pitched as a fan belt squeal... I varies with engine RPM, dropping down when the car shifts...

I don't see anything visually wrong; water is clean and full, oil is clean, no "miss", engine is strong, oil pressure fine...

While the squeak is there most of the time, its not every revolution. More constant above idle, but its still there at idle... Loud enough to be heard 50+ feet away when driving...

I recently moved, and can't find my stethascope...

Right before it started (I think), I did spin the tires, and maybe over revved the engine? No valve float though...


I am thinking maybe water pump (Summit chrome)? Figured I am going to pull the belts off, and see if it goes away...

But looking for suggestions...

Thanks
Tony

I had a Alternator on my daughters car do the same thing. The rear bearing went bad. Very annoying till I found the problem. With the engine running, Spray some WD-40 on the rear bearing. If the sound changes, Change the Alt.

I had a Alternator on my daughters car do the same thing. The rear bearing went bad. Very annoying till I found the problem. With the engine running, Spray some WD-40 on the rear bearing. If the sound changes, Change the Alt.

Thanks... I was thinking it sounded like it might be the alt... I was hoping not, because its an aftermarket high output model (I was hoping not to replace it)

take the belt off the alternator and fire it up

that would also isolate the noise
why not rebulid the alternator with new bearing usually kits are only like 15 and easy to do ......
if its a cs-120 its the size of the rear bearing I used to work in a automotive electrical shop alot of them go bad like that....easy fix though
have you checked your fan clutch ? a/c cluch can do wierd things too :yes:

that would also isolate the noise
why not rebulid the alternator with new bearing usually kits are only like 15 and easy to do ......
if its a cs-120 its the size of the rear bearing I used to work in a automotive electrical shop alot of them go bad like that....easy fix though
have you checked your fan clutch ? a/c cluch can do wierd things too :yes:

Has an aftermarket flex fan... It does has factory A/C.

I guess I'll pull the belts this weekend, and see what happens...:)

Well,
I pulled the fan belt (alt and water pump)... When I spun the alternator by hand, the alt fan rubber the housing slightly and looked bent... Figured I'd found the problem..


BUT, With the belt off, the noise was still there... So that rules out the alternator and the water pump...

I put a large screw driver on each valve cover, the intake and the A/C compressor, and put my ear to the handle... While I could here the engine (click, clack, etc), I could NOT hear the "squeak" through the screwdriver (although I could still here it with my other ear)...

It sounds like it coming from the rear of the engine, and more toward the passenger side...

I have heard loose torque convertors rattle, but not a "squeak"... So I am still unsure...

Any other suggestions?

Thanks...

sometimes flexplates crackaround the mounting bolts at the crank. You may hear it intermittently or all the time or simply when under a load. When those cracked surfaces rub against each other they can make some strange sounds. Good luck in your hunt and let us know what you discover. Dan

sometimes flexplates crackaround the mounting bolts at the crank. You may hear it intermittently or all the time or simply when under a load. When those cracked surfaces rub against each other they can make some strange sounds. Good luck in your hunt and let us know what you discover. Dan

I think I may have the cracked flexplate noise you described. My noise starts once the engine warms up and appears to be coming from the rear crank/flexplate area. I've probed all the accessories with a stethoscope, but no squeak. When I use a piece of vacuum hose, it seems louder by the flexplate. Any way to confirm that the flexplate is the problem without pulling the transmission back out of the way?

Transmission pumps can squeal too.

Could also be metal to metal rubbing. Check brackets or bolts near the sound.

I think I may have the cracked flexplate noise you described. My noise starts once the engine warms up and appears to be coming from the rear crank/flexplate area. I've probed all the accessories with a stethoscope, but no squeak. When I use a piece of vacuum hose, it seems louder by the flexplate. Any way to confirm that the flexplate is the problem without pulling the transmission back out of the way?

Well,

I bought a flexplate turning tool, pull the sprarkplugs and put the car up on jackstands... I couldn't find any problems with my flexplate (granted, the visibility is limited)... I ordered a new flex plate from Summit, but before I replaced it, the noise became louder, and changed from a "squeak" (well, its been almost 2 years since I had the problem) to more of a "click" or "ticking"...

Turns out my problem was an exhaust leak, the gasket at the cylinder head was going... I have factory A/C, the the passenger-side, rear portion was where the leak started, so the sound "echo'd" down the back of the engine. Cheap and easy fix, once i figured what it was... :thumbsup:

Replaced the flexplate and my noise is gone, but it wasn't cracked. I don't think the the convertor snout was seated correctly in the back of the crank. When I loosened the convertor bolts, I noticed the convertor was moving back. The convertor snout had paint and rust on it. There was also rust in the end of the crank. I sanded off the paint and rust. After installing the new flexplate, the convertor slid up to the flexplate very smooth - no pressure or drag.