I have a real annoying squeaking coming from someplace in the engine compartment (sounds like mice talking to eachother).

The noise is always present whether I’m idling in park or in gear at a stoplight. It is present when the motor is cold and hot. It is also present while driving at all RPM and does NOT increase or decrease in squeak rate with RPM. It does peak occasionally over bumps or when I put the car in gear or out of gear into park. And sometimes it is silent for no reason at all, but then it will reappear within 5 or so seconds.

I’ve already done the following to try and track it down:

1.) Put belt dressing on all belts and pullies.

2.) Replaced the PCV valve.

3.) Lubed the speedo-tach cable from the trans. To the first coupling.

4.) Put three small squirts of grease into the speedo/tach coupling going towards the speedo gauge.

5.) Mildly greased the carbereautor linkages with white lithium.

6.) Checked for solid mounting of the air cleaner assembly.

I’ve done all of these things, and the noise persists. It’s loud enough to hear very clearly through the firewall while driving and in park, AND you can hear it from the sidewalk when my car is driving down the road (very embarrasing at cruise-in nights).

With the hood open, I cannot tell if it’s coming from the front of the motor, or the rear of the motor, and it does not sound like it’s comng from the alternator or the AC compressor. I don’t think it’s coming from the valvetrain or distributor because it does not increase with RPM. Oh, and the last owner removed the Smog pump (if that means anything).

If anyone has ANY ideas as to what this could be, please let me know. Thanks in advance! You guys rock!

 

Take a 3' piece of garden hose. Hold one end up to your ear and use it like a stethoscope. You'll be amazed at how well you can isolate the source of the noise.

 

Very interesting....
I'll give it a try, any other ideas?

 

Squeek or squeel? Squeek Squeek Squeek or sssssqqqqquuuueeellll? Does it sound like something is just hitting enough to make the noise or constant noise.. I've never had luck with the hose trick but I've heard others that have. Since you hear the noise at idle and it doesn't change with RMP speed then I would lean towards the heat/air fan.. It's always on when the car is running, it's in the firewall area and will not change with RPM.. Does the noise change when you put on the AIR or blower fan? Just guessing but it's another place to look..

 

It's definitely a squeak squeak squeak, and it does not change with different blower/heater speeds (I tried that this morning).

 

So it sounds like a rotary thing that's hitting once around? If the hose trick doesn't work you could try loosening one belt at a time but I would think that anything attached to the motor that is squeeking would change in sound with RPM change but at least you would eliminate the belt and what the belt is driving.
It makes the noise standing still so brakes, wheel bearings, etc. are rulled out. Not a vibrating sound..OK... I give up.. what is it.. :lol: :lol:

Sorry, I have no more ideas.. :confused:

 

Water pump or fan clutch could be shot.


[Modified by vettesite, 4:16 PM 5/30/2002]

 

Loose motor mount?? Sounds like it is two pieces of metal rubbing together if it dosen't change pitch with RPM's. Maybe get in there and start shaking stuff with the engine off and see if something is loose.
John

 

instead of a garden hose I use a long screw driver to try and pinpoint noises... I'll have to try the hose idea... sounds like it would work great! :cheers: