Question: Automotive expertise needed. i am having a chirping/rattling sound from my truck engine.?

(Posted by: GaM84 on 2010-07-09 10:24:44)

It is repetitious and happens in quick succession. It is rather high pitched. It doesn't happen all the time but is still pretty frequent. My truck is an automatic and the noise happens right before it changes gears. It really only happens when my engine rpm is between 1700 and 2000 (I am sure it would happen higher than 2000 but I rarely push it beyond that). As soon as the engine changes gears it stops. I also have noticed my truck is shaking when it is idling, although this may be unrelated. I figure (or at least hope) it is just a belt. Just had a tune up last month or so. Check engine light is not on. I'm sure the shaking is not related. The shaking would only be noticable to me I'm sure.

Posted by: Luke on 2010-07-09, 10:32:52

What kind of truck is this on? Sounds like it might be a few things and I am sure others will have more ideas to check also but the things I am coming up with without looking and hearing it myself are the torque converter, a pulley on something like the water pump air conditioner pump alternator power steering pump, oil pump. The shaking might be partially from the torque converter if that is the issue. Hope this helps!

Posted by: pedro7of9 on 2010-07-09, 10:32:00

What yr..what miles?/ ever been tuned? did you even look at belt/ open hood...look listen? check belt..loose? worn out? rub ivory soap on both sides [yes soap] see if that quiets it. got enough power steering fluid in it bad idle...ever been tuned..plugs/ wires cap/ rotor if so equiped?? chech engine lite on? it does mean something yah know

Posted by: I been dare and done dat on 2010-07-09, 10:33:18

Catolitic converter....or there is a problem in the crank case

Posted by: D on 2010-07-09, 10:39:01

If the engine is shaking excessively, it might be misfiring. All engines shake a little. If it shakes a lot the squeaking might be from that, just some part rubbing. It might also be a belt, or it could be an idler or tensioner pulley going bad or even an alternator or water pump bearing. It's hard to tell if it only happens in that narrow RPM range. At this point I would wait a little and see if it gets worse or you can hear it at idle.

Posted by: mdk68gto, ase certified m tech on 2010-07-09, 10:41:28

Id look at the belt before any thing else. the tensioner for that belt can get weak with age and heat. the reduced tension would allow that belt to chirp at higher rpms. when the belt if off. spin all of the pulleys to see if one is binding. most of them should turn pretty smoothly aside form the crank shaft.