Topic: Squealing 97 Wrangler

[Drummer Abe]

A lot has happened since my last post, so I'd like to recap the situation.  Still squealing, although the noise has changed a bit.  It still has the high squeal, but now it also has a slight tick / tap to the squeal.  I know, you kind of have to be there...  So, here goes everything that has been replaced:  Intake gasket, water pump, radiator, fan clutch, both idler pulleys, and alternator.  Still squealing.  So, there's no way the squeal is coming from the front of the engine.  Plus, it does it while going down the road, and sitting in the driveway.  However, to get it to do it while sitting still, you have to get it to squeal while driving, pull over, and then rev it to about 3400 rpms.  At that level, it will squeal while sitting still, but it only does it for a few minutes.  Then it stops, we drive it a little while longer, and repeat the process.  We're taking another stab at isolating the noise again tomorrow evening, so hopefully we can put an end to my frustration.... :evil:   In the meantime, I'm open for any new suggestions...  Thanks for listening.

[Guardian7]

I did not see any mention of the belt getting replaced? They can sometimes look just fine but if the rubber has been heated a stiff spot and or smooth spot develops and will cause the intermittent squeals and ticking noises at certain temperatures and RPM's. If the belt was too loose or too tight damage to the rubber properties can take place which are visually hidden. Also any slight alignment problems with your pulleys can cause it. I had issues like this with a Chevy V8 in a Toyota FJ40 and I had to experiment with different  belts until I found one which lasted without getting hot, slipping, or vibrating. My cure was to use a cogged belt. I have also used belt dressing to cure squeals but this fix is only temporary though may assist T-shooting the noise.  Have you looked at the power steering and or AC compressor? Is it a whistle type sound which might be heard if the Cat was clogging up when hot? Just my 2 cents.

[Drummer Abe]

Sorry, I did forget to mention that I replaced the belt on Saturday.  No A/C, and the noise doesn't appear to be coming from the power steering pump.  We scoped it earlier in the day Saturday, and the pump was quiet.  The noise hasn't changed a bit, even after all of the belt / pulley crap I've attempted, so I'm fairly confident that it's not a belt issue.  However, I could have gotten a hold of a bad water pump.  No, what exactly would a bad cat sound like?  I don't really have a rattle on startup, and with a 2.5, a lack of power is really hard to decipher.  Again, it sounded more like a bearing squeal, and now has a bit of a different type of squeal to it.  Do you think it could be a cat convertor?

[Guardian7]

When cats go bad they can start clogging, the one I had go bad seemed to work fine until it got hot then it would start slowing me down as it heated up and I had a whistle noise coming from the exhaust as I accelerated. Sounds like your noise is changing so maybe if it gets worse you'll be able to find it easier.

[chrisfranklin]

Abe, you or your friends and family wouldn't happen to have one of the cell phones/smart phones with a camera that lets you shoot 20-30 second video clips that you can upload?  I've got one of those Samsung A900 phones that I picked up for 80 bucks + the plan contract and it does the video - maybe you or some others you know have something like that.  Could also just use a web cam on a laptop, too

It'd be cool to see if the guys here could diagnose the problem (by audio/video) after reviewing cell phone clips (maybe 5-6) that you shot and put up here.  Course, with your engine running, that little cellular mike would probably have a hard time picking up the noise unless its a real high frequency wail.   Still, would be cool to try.  :D

[mud4feet]

Could it be your ears?? Mine ring all the time!!

......sorry, poor attempt at humor. From what everyone else has said and from all you have tried, I would be looking at exhaust/gasket issues if it were me.......you said it was driver's side toward the rear of the engine........can't imagine what else it would be except throw-out bearing. Don't think I helped alot but hope I gave you a short laugh.