help me please

[savanna2586]

Today my jeep started making a vibrating noise then turned into a clank, its sluggish to start now, any suggestions

 

[SteelHeadz]

Where is this noise coming from and please give us more information about your Jeep like the engine size, year , make and model.

 

[savanna2586]

It's a 95 v8 5.2. It's coming from around the tensioner pulley.

 

[savanna2586]

It's a grand Cherokee limited 4x4

 

[SteelHeadz]

One way to verify on which one of the pulleys that could be making the noise is to remove the serpentine belt. Spin each one of the pulleys and see which one is loose, rough when spun or partially locking up. To remove the serpentine belt, follow the diagram.

 

[97WhiteDragon]

One way to verify on which one of the pulleys that could be making the noise is to remove the serpentine belt. Spin each one of the pulleys and see which one is loose, rough when spun or partially locking up. To remove the serpentine belt, follow the diagram.

I also have a question - could pulleys make a sound like ticking lifters? I have that sound, and have confirmed it is not my lifters. The only other thing is a small exhaust leak, but if its not pulleys or that leak.. I have no idea what that sound could be. Any clue? Ive never had an exhaust leak make a sound like that, but is it possible? (97 ZJ inline 6 btw)

 

[SteelHeadz]

I also have a question - could pulleys make a sound like ticking lifters? I have that sound, and have confirmed it is not my lifters. The only other thing is a small exhaust leak, but if its not pulleys or that leak.. I have no idea what that sound could be. Any clue? Ive never had an exhaust leak make a sound like that, but is it possible? (97 ZJ inline 6 btw)

Yes on both accounts. If the engine is equipped with an automatic tensioner pulley, the pulley in question would usually jump when it ticks and increases frequency with the engine rpm. An engine stehoscope should be able to isolate the source in this case but not on the engine exhaust leak. The best way i know how to isolate exhaust leak is to visually look at the exhaust flange to the cylinder head and the exhaust flange to the exhaust pipe for a black soot accumulation that indicates leak. Also, you can use a small fuel line thats long enough to reach areas you cant see. Place one end to your ear and the other end towards the suspected areas. Just for verification, if one of the pulleys is in question, you can remove the serpentine belts and run the engine at idle to see if the ticking goes away, if not, the noise is somewhere else.

 

[97WhiteDragon]

Yes on both accounts. If the engine is equipped with an automatic tensioner pulley, the pulley in question would usually jump when it ticks and increases frequency with the engine rpm. An engine stehoscope should be able to isolate the source in this case but not on the engine exhaust leak. The best way i know how to isolate exhaust leak is to visually look at the exhaust flange to the cylinder head and the exhaust flange to the exhaust pipe for a black soot accumulation that indicates leak. Also, you can use a small fuel line thats long enough to reach areas you cant see. Place one end to your ear and the other end towards the suspected areas. Just for verification, if one of the pulleys is in question, you can remove the serpentine belts and run the engine at idle to see if the ticking goes away, if not, the noise is somewhere else.

Hmm, well i have to loosen a bolt to relieve tension on the belt, so im assuming thats not an automatic tensioner pulley? And also, when my engine warms up.. The tick is still there but not as bad when i start from sitting all night. So im not too sure what it is, but this stethoscope sounds like a good idea to look into. Another question is, when i do start it up after sitting for hours, it'll start and run fine.. But i notice a "whirrrrr" sound. If i push on the gas, it increases and doesnt go away till i drive away (engine warms up). Any clue about that? Sorry for asking for so much advice/help.

 

[SteelHeadz]

It's a toss up on the ticking noise until you verify that its not the pulleys or and exaust leak. Often, a small leak on the exhaust manifold would be a loud ticking noise and progressively gets less audible as the engine warms up. This is due to the exhaust manifold warping when it heats up and partially seals the leak. The whirring sound could possibly be the serpentine belt or an air pump if equipped. Isolation and verification is your key to diagnosing this issue.

 

[97WhiteDragon]

It's a toss up on the ticking noise until you verify that its not the pulleys or and exaust leak. Often, a small leak on the exhaust manifold would be a loud ticking noise and progressively gets less audible as the engine warms up. This is due to the exhaust manifold warping when it heats up and partially seals the leak. The whirring sound could possibly be the serpentine belt or an air pump if equipped. Isolation and verification is your key to diagnosing this issue.

Thanks for your help, thats exactly where the leak is around, so im assuming thats my ticking sound. As for the whirr, it sounds like it comes from lower engine/transmission.. And i thought that too, could be exhaust related. Anyways, ill have the scoping done and exhaust leak fixed and go from there.