What's causing this noise?

white04kj · **Posted:** Thu Feb 09, 2006 7:27 pm

Today as I was taking the KJ to the local dealership to get my airbag sensor replaced, I noticed a weird noise coming from the engine. It's a kind of whirring/ almost squeeling noise that varies in pitch with engine RPMs. I hadn't noticed it till today because it's barely audible from inside with music playing, but the noise from outside is really obnoxious.

I was playing around in some water the other day, it came up to the middle of my wheels at the deepest point, so I think I may have gotten my belts wet, but I'm not sure. In another post someone suggested spraying the tensioner (not the tensioner itself, but the part it is mounted to the engine with) with WD-40, so I'll try that when I get a chance, I was just wondering if anyone else had any ideas. I also heard that it could be the starter motor, as it does sound a bit like the starter's still engaged. I dunno, I'll try the WD-40 and see what happens.

SavageSS27 · **Posted:** Thu Feb 09, 2006 7:40 pm

I have a sound somewhat similar, starts at about 2000-2500RPM and gets higher and louder as you go up in the range...sounds to me like the intake...i kinda like it

Ask your dealer about it though....they'll probably take a test ride with you...

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Thu Feb 09, 2006 8:35 pm

I love the sound of the intake, its even better with the K&N. I had an air bag sensor replaced on my 04. It didnt happen to be the sensor in the passenger seat beat did it? Thats what was wrong with mine, only came on when it was really cold, 20-40 degrees.

white04kj · **Posted:** Fri Feb 10, 2006 1:20 am

Jeepjeepster wrote:

It didnt happen to be the sensor in the passenger seat beat did it? Thats what was wrong with mine, only came on when it was really cold, 20-40 degrees.

Nah, it was the front left sensor.

white04kj · **Posted:** Tue Feb 14, 2006 4:59 pm

I just thought I'd bump this and see if anyone else has any ideas. The noise sounds a lot like the whine of a supercharger, and it starts as soon as the engine turns over and carries throughout the RPM range. It seems almost like it's gotten louder since it started. I was listening to it with the hood up today and it seemed like it was coming from either the alternator, the ac pump (or whatever is immediately to the left of the alternator) or one of the pullies. It doesn't sound anything like squeeky belts though... any ideas?

waddy whiteguts · **Posted:** Tue Feb 14, 2006 5:09 pm

With the engine running take a squirt bottle of water and hit all the pullys and bearings with a squirt one at a time and see if the sound changes. I say water because it dries off fast without leaving a residue on the belt like oil or silicone. At least this might help narrow it down.

flynl · **Posted:** Fri Feb 24, 2006 9:18 pm

I had same noise in my 04 Liberty Sport. Dealer just replaced alternator, and noise has gone away.
flynl :

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Sat Feb 25, 2006 12:08 am

white04kj wrote:

I just thought I'd bump this and see if anyone else has any ideas. The noise sounds a lot like the whine of a supercharger, and it starts as soon as the engine turns over and carries throughout the RPM range. It seems almost like it's gotten louder since it started. I was listening to it with the hood up today and it seemed like it was coming from either the alternator, the ac pump (or whatever is immediately to the left of the alternator) or one of the pullies. It doesn't sound anything like squeeky belts though... any ideas?

Hmm, well i guess you know its not the intake b/c that is easily heard when the jeep is cold and youre under the hood. If you know much about the libby engine, pop the belt off and feel all of the pullys for looseness. Pull on them and spin them to see if they make any noise.

white04kj · **Posted:** Tue Feb 28, 2006 12:48 am

UPDATE

I took the KJ to the stealership today to see what they thought of the noise, along with a creak I had been getting from the front suspension. They told me that the tensioner and one of the pullies needs replacing. I had noticed a few days ago that one of the pullies was wobbling a bit, causing the belt to move front-to-back across the top of it. I think that's what was making the whining noise. They said they'd repair it under warranty.
The suspension creak is my swaybar bushings, which they're replacing under warranty too.

On a side note, the guys in the service department here are actually really cool; I've been in so many times recently that Dave, the guy in charge, knew me by name when I came in this morning.

Sean · **Posted:** Tue Feb 28, 2006 1:40 am

white04kj wrote:

UPDATE

They said they'd repair it under warranty.
The suspension creak is my swaybar bushings, which they're replacing under warranty too.

On a side note, the guys in the service department here are actually really cool; I've been in so many times recently that Dave, the guy in charge, knew me by name when I came in this morning.

Gotta love warranty:
Had my swaybar busings replaced already, gonna take the other lib in this week to get it done too, at 12K...

The guys at the service dept here too know me by name, but then again im in about once every two weeks for a oil change or warranty business. I keep them busy with four jeeps in the family i guess.

What's causing this noise?

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