Vehicle noise question and more... Update

[biggyJ]

Particulars:

2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee (293000km)

In the last week I have heard a new noise coming from in front of the vehicle. Right now I cannot pin point the exact position.

But it sounds like a playing card in your spokes, like when you are a kid.

Doesn't seem to do make the sound at idle, but as soon as you give her a bit of gas and start moving it starts to make the sound. Pretty loud, and gets quicker obviously the faster you go. If you are sitting at a red light, no sound. No loss of power that I notice.

On a side note, at my last oil change, tech mentioned my CV boot was cracked and needed replacing. Could that have something to do with it?


Anyhow the reason I ask, Is that if this is something that is going to cost a lot I think it might be time to retire her. In the last 6 months I have replaced the tires, battery and brakes. And I don't want to be sinking money into a money pit.

BUTTTTT

This jeep has been incredibly reliable (knock on wood) Never let me down, everything (PL, PW and air) all still work perfectly. And honestly if it wasnt for this new sound I would keep it until she dies.


Another BUTTTTT

Looking online, If I were to sell her, I think I could maybe get in the 1500-2500 range. I don't want say spend a $1000 on fixing her and then have her crap out a month later. I could use this for payments on a new vehicle.


Long post (I know) so looking for some advice from those with experience to help me form a decision.

1) What the heck is that sound?
2) If you were in my spot what would you do? Fix or Sell and buy something else?

Thanks guys

[recce43]

could be rock caught in rim road gravel

[Spidey]

Have you looked at the exhaust manifold? I recall that vintage of jeep having issues there.

[Smokinyotes]

If it isn't going to cost too much I would fix it and keep it for a hunting wagon and buy a new one.

[adogwiththumbs]

CV joint. They don't last long once the boot cracks and lets the grease out/snow in. Do it yourself easy job. Should be able to get the whole axle for less than 200$ at any parts outlet.

It gets worse when you turn the wheel all the way one way doesn't it?

[zero_eight]

It sounds like it could indeed be the cv joint.

[BANG]

Not sure what the problem might be but as for selling it to buy a new ride that depends on many factors but personaly i would rather drive a paid off personal vehicle that needs work occasionaly compared to having never ending payments on something that depreciates rapidly.
But thats just me i would rather have those funds free for other things.

[biggyJ]

Nope doesn't get worse or better when turning.

Had the passenger CV joint changed a year ago, there was no sound like this one when it went bad. Then it only made a noise when turning. But sounded different.

[TimeOff]

It's you're front Prop Shaft, the driveshaft from the transfer case to the front diff. Does it go away when you put it in 2WD?

[mforshort]

With what your describing it sounds like possibly a inner cv joint.
I would jack it up and spin the wheel and listen/feel for anything abnormal.

[biggyJ]

Originally Posted by TimeOff

It's you're front Prop Shaft, the driveshaft from the transfer case to the front diff. Does it go away when you put it in 2WD?

No difference between 2wd and 4wd, makes the same sound.

[RandyBoBandy]

okay, foot on brake pedal hard, put in it in gear, squeeze the gas pedal to gain RPM's..do you get the noise?? or do you only get the noise while accelerating AND moving? get back to me in the morning

[traderal]

My 1998 just started doing the same. Gets louder at highway speeds. Lets off when I release the gas. Checked everything underneath and nothing looks broken,CV boots ok, driveshaft and yokes look ok. Jacked up the front and turned the wheels, no noise, and nothing binding. Noise at highway speeds sounds like the tire lugs vibrating on the pavement but stops when I let off the gas.

[6.5swedeforelk]

Bad motor mount allowing fan to hit shroud when motor torques?

[Opalsasquatch]

Most likely front driveshaft or CV axle, but if there is no change in noise when turning probably u joints on front driveshaft

A stiff u joint can make a heck of a vibration at highway speed and look fine, you need to remove the driveshaft and check for free movement

[ali#1]

Sounds like a wheel bearing.

[traderal]

Ok will check out a few more things. Thx.

[embury93]

Originally Posted by ali#1

Sounds like a wheel bearing.

X2

[great white whaler]

wheel bearing

[BobNewton]

Know any pranksters. Sounds like the result of an old joke we would play on guys. Heavy duty zip ties on a drive shaft. Always good for a laugh.

[Fisherpeak]

You could always fix it by using the company truck trick.
Crank The Stereo.

[winger7mm]

Originally Posted by ali#1

Sounds like a wheel bearing.

In my experiences with wheel bearings, the sounds fluctuate from very little to alot worse with turning the wheel. The fact there is no change, only that it gets worse the faster you go, id be leaning towards a Ujoint

[pseelk]

It is the serpentine belt,they get old and the underside cracks and looses bits of material this is what makes the noise.Very difficult to pinpoint.It happened on my wifes car.Change the belt.

[Mhunter51]

Its a jeep. Normal engine sound. Engine is running.

[biggyJ]

It was never a quiet engine that's for sure, but this is definitely a new sound.

From earlier question:
Will only make sound when in gear and driving. When gas is on = noise, let gas off = no noise, idle at red light = nothing


Checked serpentine, nothing obvious, but with radiator cover on and no garage I am not changing it in this cold weather to see if that is the problem.

Appointment booked for Monday to see what's up. Will update with diagnosis.

Thanks for the responses everyone.

[Hun-Ter]

See if your fan blade is hitting on something. Ask someone to switch gears while you looking at it. It may reach the fan shroud when the engine moves due to broken, collapsed motor mounts.

[50/50]

Bad/dry u joint sounds like pop cans clinging.

[biggyJ]

Well took the old girl in today.

Seems that one of my valves or lifters is making the noise.

Mechanic, said not worth it to do open heart surgery. Said his inline 6 did the same thing for 6 years before he had to put her down.

At 300,000km I think I will just live with the sound, turn up the tunes.

Old age creeps up on everyone I guess.

[Peter Gill]

I was thinking drivetrain too; geez, we weren't even close, were we?

If it has hydraulic lifters, old shade-tree mechanic trick: when you change the oil, replace one quart of oil with ATF: won't hurt the motor and if it's a sticky lifter will probably fix it.

Not knowing which motor you have, don't know if it's OHC or pushrod (not even sure if Jeep has an i6 pushrod variant...) but when the weather gets better, simple task to pop the valve cover off & have a look for anything obvious. Might be a bad spring, rocker, seat, stem...

'Nother shade-tree trick: take a long socket extension or screwdriver or something like that, with the motor running put it against your temple and the other end on the head at each cylinder: the bad cylinder might have a different vibration, could help you narrow down the problem area.

[CheeseBurger]

Originally Posted by Peter Gill

If it has hydraulic lifters, old shade-tree mechanic trick: when you change the oil, replace one quart of oil with ATF: won't hurt the motor and if it's a sticky lifter will probably fix it.

This has worked for me in the past.