About 2 days ago,the Heep started making a loud clicking noise. Sound was louder under acceleration, but gone when cruising. I didn't push it hard(fearing something like this morning would happen). It sounded like it was coming the area of the S belt. Jeep ran fine other than the noise. I hoped it would make to the weekend, when I had time to investigate and repair. Oh, I could be so lucky...

Going up a hill this morning, on my way to work, there was a louder sound(dare I say clack) then the engine cut out. I drifted it back down the hill and parked it.

Any suggestions what I may be looking for...S belt, timing chain, blown head? I already have the worst case scenario playing in my mind, so lay it on me.

2001
Auto
109,xxx on the clock

I'm really starting to think about packing it in on this thing.

 

If it's the belt the altenator will not be working it will overheat all the normal stuff. The timing chain could be worn and slapping. It would have to be pretty worn out to let it skip teeth. Which is possible. You really need to know where the noise is coming from.

 

Check your engine oil. If you see milky stuff on there it could be a head issue. Do you have a volt ohms meter? If so, hook it up to the battery see what it says... Inspect your belt for alot of slack or physical defects.

 

Did you try starting it again?

 

You need to provide a bit more detail in order to get better and more specific help, e.g., source of the noise, condition/level of the oil, current behavior when trying to restart, presence of spark, fuel pressure, coolant level/temperature, etc., etc.
A broken timing chain is highly unlikely and head does not "blow"....

 

Just for fun I'll try to list problems with knocks, (please add):

main bearings
rod bearings
lifters
pistons
broken valve
bent connecting rod
broken connecting rod

transmission

alternator
pulley
compressor
w.pump
mechanical fan
electrical fan

crank sensor (it was knocking on some old Pontiac)

 

Just stopped and looked real quick. I know there's plenty of good oil, just checked last week. I haven't tried starting it, though. Coolant should be good. I've been keeping an eye on that since I replaced the water pump and radiator in the spring. S belt is intact. Couldn't see any obvious signs of the problem.

I'll check on it this evening when I have time.

 

Last time that happened to me (in high school), the engine had thrown a rod and punched a hole through the engine. Yeah, not fun.

 

Tried to start it, no go. Fuel's good, starter is less than a year old, oil looks good. I had it towed to my house so I can tear into it, just don't have the time until tomorrow morning, after work.

When I tried starting it, there was a metal-on-metal sounding clunk. Not sure if that is relevant. I'll poke around everything that has to do with the S belt, since that is where the sound seemed to come from. I'm going to drop the oil pan and see what I see on the, hopefully, off chance that's where the problem lies.

Keep everyone posted.

 

Are you getting oil pressure?

 

Any suggestions for getting the bolts at the rear of the oil pan out? A flange seems to be in the way.

 

A long extension?

 

I was, until it stopped running.

Last question about removal, I hope.

This is the only bolt left:



How bad of idea is it to take my Dremel to the bracket? It won't loosen with the bracket in place, so I figured I'd cut it off around the nut and replace it later.

Man, I really need to clean this crap off of everything.

 

The stud or nut should come off... What was mounted to the bracket? Tranny line?

 

Yeah, tranny line.

There's not enough room to get a wrench under it to hold the "lower" nut in place, and the bracket spins until it hits the pan(and in turn pushes into pan).