Odd engine squeal.

[1FastBimmer]

Hello all, I have an odd squeal coming from the front of my 2f (76 FJ40). It gets worse when hot and sounds just like a loose belt or failing bearing, but is not affected when I pull the belt. I’m assuming the cam bearings are journal bearings? My Haynes manual is not specific but I can’t imagine that they are ball bearings. The noise sounds like it’s coming from the balancer. Thoughts?

 

[Pighead]

you pulled all the belts off and still have the squeal?

 

[php74]

Squirt a little dish soap on all your belts, see if that changes anything.

 

[1FastBimmer]

The squeal is the same with no belts at all. This is not an accessory issue.

 

[cbmontgo]

Check your smog pump, if it’s still there. Those bearings can do that as they head towards failure.

 

[Steamer]

Is the squeal steady, intermittent, wavering in volume or pitch? Does it change with rpm? Someone here might recognize the sound if you could take a video or sound clip. Have you tried a piece of tubing to the ear trick, moving it around to locate the area it's coming from?

 

[1FastBimmer]

No smog pump, I originally thought it was the alternator as it sounds just like a dry, hashed ball bearing but after pulling the belt I’m pretty confused. I’ll try to grab a video tomorrow it really only shows up when it’s at full operating temp.

 

[1FastBimmer]

Also: it’s not a constant squeal, its consistent with one portion of the rotation of the engine ie. it squeaks once every revolution

 

[fjc-man]

Does the noise change ( running ) if you push the clutch in?

 

[1FastBimmer]

No. And I just replaced the clutch master/slave and added the return spring that the PO had thrown away, the throw out does not rest on the clutch fingers

 

[1FastBimmer]

 

[1FastBimmer]

Update! After reading the following threads:

Timing gear noise

I've been hearing a squealing noise coming from the timing gear area. It's not all the time. First I took both belts off and still had the noise. I put new belts on and no change. I tried the stethoscope and narrowed it down to the timing gear area. I've read other posts and it could be the cam...

forum.ih8mud.com

Noise from timing gear area

I hear a noise (sounds like a bearing about to go) coming from the area where the timing gear cover is. The noise isn't constant. I've read through all the old posts, and seems like this noise is indication that it's time to replace the timing gears. This 2F has been sitting for 2 years with...

forum.ih8mud.com

I decided to throw some pb blaster on the balancer near the timing cover oil seal and what do you know the noise is gone. The balancer is dry so this seal is not leaking so I think I’ll collect parts but leave it alone for now. An additional question; does the balancer have any rubber bushings inside that could have been causing the noise as well? I’m glad it’s not my cam gear

 

[WildernessRimFab]

That sounds exactly like my 72 used to sound. My front crank seal was dry, hard, not leaking, and squealing just like that. The hardened seal had worn a small groove into the harmonic balancer that I repaired with a speedi sleeve.
New seal fixed the squeal for me.

 

[1FastBimmer]

Im just ecstatic that I dont have to pull the cam. Will have to pick up a socket for the pulley nut but should be an easy job

 

[Steamer]

I’m fairly certain the balancer is two pieced with rubber in-between. Could there be debris, or a gunk build up against the seal? Maybe a degreasing, flush and blow out would help. If or when you change the seal, make sure the oil nozzle is clear.

 

[1FastBimmer]

2nd update. I dug up my 46mm socket to make sure the balancer nut was tight. If I had to guess I’d say it has less than 75 lb ft on it. Retorqued to 150 ft lb and no squeal so far. Thanks all

 

[Mark Jennings]

If you get the engine good and hot and hit the brakes hard, from like 88 mph, you can get enough oill to ‘slosh’ from the pan to lube up that seal. But you gotta get on the brakes hard......or you’ll end up in the future. LOL

 

[Steamer]

If you get the engine good and hot and hit the brakes hard, from like 88 mph, you can get enough oill to ‘slosh’ from the pan to lube up that seal. But you gotta get on the brakes hard......or you’ll end up in the future. LOL

Never heard of that. Is it an old school well known procedure or did you just come up with that. Either way, I really like it.

 

[1FastBimmer]

Normally I’d be comfortable, I’ve got vehicles that go over 200mph, however 88 mph in my 40 sounds like a death sentence.

 

[Mark Jennings]

It’s old school, and if you accelerate really, really fast to get to 88 mph, and get the oil to ‘slosh’ the other way, you can lube up the main seal.
——OR—-
Overfill the sump, maybe add 2 or 3 extra quarts, and you’ll lube up both seals at once!

You’re choice. LOL