FJ40 2F 1981. Strange noise afer cold start - What could it be?

[berntd]

Hello
My cruiser has developed a strange noise.
It has been there since a longish trip we did of about 2hundred miles.

Now, when I start from cold, it starts and is fine and then a few seconds into the running, a weeeeeeeeee noise become quite evident. It sound like a wheel bearing noise but I am not moving when it happens.

This then goes away after a minute or 2.
It is NOT normal.

Facts so far:
1: It is not a normal fan noise because I know what that sounds like.
2: I cannot find it when listenng to the engine while outside because the fan makes too much wind noise. It is only evident inside the cabin but there it is quite pronouinced.
3: It is not the gearbox because pressing the clutch does not change it.

has anyone had this and what could it be?
It has just about 100k miles on it now.

Kind regards
Bernt

 

[folsom50]

I went through the same thing on my 2f just after I had it rebuilt. It had me nervous for for a couple thousand miles because I never could isolate the sound. It didn't do it on every start-up, and it was only when it was cold. I finally found it when my water pump started weeping, replaced that and never heard the sound again.

I'm not saying that's what your problem is, but keep an eye on your pump.

 

[1979fj40]

Belt? Bearing? Take about a 3 ft piece of hose pipe , crank it up and listen and you should be able to pinpoint it pretty quick.

 

[handcannon]

alternater bearings?

 

[rloaderro]

If you stop the truck (from moving) does the sound go away?

 

[berntd]

If you stop the truck (from moving) does the sound go away?

Hello all and thank you!,

As said, I am not moving when I start so it has nothing to do with driving perse.

The waterpump could be the culprint and I will actually open the hood before starting next and be ready for listening to that.
Problem is that it goes away rather quickly so i am usually not ready for it and then when i poke around, it has stopped.

I suppose it could also be that airpump for the emission system?
Mine is disfunct and someone took the innards out and filled it with grease many years ago.

Hmm... Waterpump....


Regards
Bernt

 

[folsom50]

Hello all and thank you!,

As said, I am not moving when I start so it has nothing to do with driving perse.

The waterpump could be the culprint and I will actually open the hood before starting next and be ready for listening to that.
Problem is that it goes away rather quickly so i am usually not ready for it and then when i poke around, it has stopped.

I suppose it could also be that airpump for the emission system?
Mine is disfunct and someone took the innards out and filled it with grease many years ago.

Hmm... Waterpump....


Regards
Bernt

Yep, that's why I never could isolate the sound either. I would start the truck and if it started sqealing I'd scamper around trying to get the hood open, but I was never fast enough. I tried the open hood cold starts too, but Murphy's law dictates that the engine won't make a single odd peep when the hood is open. Feel around the weep hole on the pump when it's cold and after you shut it down warm. The pump might be going out, but the weep is so slight that the coolant's not making it to the floor yet.

 

[Bodean]

Maybe the truck is just really happy to be going somewhere and it's just its way of telling you. Weeeeeee! (sorry couldn't help it). Good luck. With the piece of hose you should be able to isolate the sound.

Later,

 

[Texx]

If it's extremely high pitched, and doesn't change much with engine speed, probably a vacuum leak around the carb. Had one drove me insane on the hilux.

 

[berntd]

Thanks again.

I suppose I can leave it till it becomes more pronounced or permanent?

Kind Regards

Bernt

 

[Hobbs]

IF - you suspect it is belt driven (water pump, air pump, or alternator bearing) remove one belt at a time and listen for change. Simulate precisely the conditions under which you hear the noise; listen from the cab with hood closed.

This will eliminate those sources of noise.

 

[Pinion]

If you still have the air pump installed and its stock, I would start there.

 

[Cee Jay]

My guess is WATER PUMP, because I have the EXACT same thing going on right now. If you grab the fan and wiggle it, is there any play in it? If the bearings in it are going bad, it will make that sound until it warms up and the fluid permeates the bearings. If that is your problem, expect the duration of the noise to get longer and longer. I am going to change mine very soon, as an ultimate failure of the bearing(s) could be catastrophic to the engine compartment and the radiator if the fan decides to "walk" or "run" away! Good luck.

 

[jtoro]

x2 on the vaccum leak, I had the same problem with my weber 32/36. It sounded like someone drilling on thick metal when the car was cold. Once it started to heat up, the parts expanded and the sound was gone. A little tightening on the carb nuts and it was gone.

 

[berntd]

Hello all,

Ok, I have play in the waterpump bearing but no leaks there.

This morning it did it again but I was in a hurry so I drove off this time. I then noticed that the noise changes in sound a lot as I turn the steering wheel. I can actually feel it in the steering. It is like a groan as I turn the wheel. Thenafter some seconds, it is gone and not to be heard/felt again.


Regards
Bernt

 

[CruiserStuff]

If you're an '81 Fj40, do you have power steering (factory or otherwise)? If so, maybe your ps pump is the cause of the sound.....or maybe you're low on ps fluid.....