Hi All,

Dealer just replaced my radiator after it sprung a leak on the top driver side about 3 weeks back on my 15 JKUR with 13k miles.

Just a few days ago, the engine developed a squeal that I can't pinpoint. See the video below. It happens intermittently at idle. I was able to accentuate the noise by putting the tranny in drive and lightly power breaking. Happens right around 800-1000 rpms.

I suspect it has something to do with the belt, but not sure. Any advice is appreciated!

https://youtu.be/Hpfx92NJdqk

 

I can't hear it but due to the unique design of the alternator mount, some 3.6 JKs have had some belt slip.

 

Unless I'm listening to the wrong noise, that sounds like a rattle after you rev the engine. That is typically the heat shield over the muffler in the rear. That shield isn't mounted very well and tends to break loose over time and then rattles on top of the muffler.

In regards to the belt, for the longest time I had a "chirp" type of sound that I couldn't figure out where it was coming from, heard the chirp about every 5-10 seconds. I replaced the belt recently and my chirp sound is now gone, so I can verify replacing the belt fixes a chirp sound, either that or the bird finally flew out of my engine while I was replacing the belt.

 

Hi GG - it's most pronounced in the middle of the video. Sounds almost like a wood chipper. Play it again, crank the volume. Thanks!

Hi RR - I think you heard it - I actually have the rear heat shield pulled off, running a different muffler.

Thanks !!

 

I would suspect the water pump or possibly the fan hitting something since the radiator just had repair done. The fan only kicks on after the engine comes up to temp. Do you hear this sound when you 1st start it up, or after it's warm?

 

Is it more pronounced when you put your ear closer to the front wheel wells? Mine just started making this noise today and I think it's coming from the cats but not sure. I'm still under the power train warranty so taking it to the dealer Monday. At first I thought it was one of my pullys starting to seize

 

It's sounds like a rattle? Check the exhaust manifold. Mine was cracked and I got a rattle like that.

 

The noise appears to happen only at certain RPMs slightly above idle, and again a bit higher, and the tone does not change with RPM. Something is rattling. Wondering about OP's experience at the dealer? Haven't taken it in yet.

 

Sympathetic vibration is usually the heat shield on the Y pipe.

 

X2 on the heat shield that is welded to the crossover pipe on the exhaust. I had the same issue. I thought it might me my catalytic converter. While tapping on the exhaust to listening for the rattle, I found one of the welds had broken. Temp fix was an exhaust clamp until I can get it welded.