I think it is coming from the top end of the engine, but it's so loud I can't really tell. I just put in an order for a mechanic's stethoscope off of Amazon. Hopefully, it'll be here in a few days so I can tell where the sound is coming from.

 

you could have using a long screw driver put the tip on the engine and the handle to your ear. You should be able to figure it out like that.
Good luck.

 

Could be a few different things. Did this just start randomly?

 

Yes. I was actually trying to find vacuum leaks in my Jeep, so I had it running when the noise started out of nowhere. I have been listening to videos on youtube of broken piston skirts because I heard that might be it. I don't think it is, though.

I wish I had a big screwdriver, but it's about time I got a stethoscope anyway.

Is it possible it is the flexplate? I don't think the flexplate makes that sort of noise, but it's worth a shot. I'll get under it tomorrow and torque up the bolts after I put some Loctite on them. I'll let you guys know what happens after that.

 

yup, or like we did many years ago when I took automotive mechanics ...a cut off broom handle.

 

A small funnel on a piece of hose and hold it up to your ear. To me it sounds like a wrist (piston) pin.

 

I attempted to tighten the flexplate bolts, but they were all tight already.

My stethoscope has arrived and it the noise appears to be coming from the #6 cylinder. It is loudest when the stethoscope is placed on the exhaust manifold right by the engine. Not sure if any of this helps or not, just can't really figure out what is going wrong. I will be taking it to my mechanic on Monday and he's going to be taking a look at it. I hate to admit it, but this seems to be over my head.

 

Just to be sure did you check the oil pan for the sound?

If you are sure it's in the top end on #6 then take the rocker cover off and check for loose valve train parts

 

you can run it with the valve cover off ...you will know in a few seconds what the issue is

 

This is true. I forgot to mention the starting it part when checking for loose or broken parts

 

I thought it was coming from the top, but it's definitely louder from the bottom. I put the uniframe on jackstands, removed the front wheels, and dropped the axle down as far as I could, but I just can't get the the oil pan out. Maybe I'll disconnect the lower control arms? I have already removed the starter.

 

I took it to the mechanic because I was unable to identify anything strange. He doesn't know what's going on either, so he is going to take the valve cover off and try to find something. I know it's an easy job, but it's a huge pain in the butt to tow the Jeep places, especially when going across busy roads.

 

Did you ever get the oil pan off to check the bottom? The trick is to jack up the axle to move it forward. That will give enough room for the pan to drop down. I fought with mine for a day until I read about that trick and it came out pretty easily. To get it back on, I used dental floss to tie the new gasket to the pan since I didn't have the felpro plastic things with my gasket. The dental floss worked great. I had to do this when I had a cracked piston skirt on my '99. Found pieces of the skirt in the pan and knew what had happened.

 

I was not able to get the pan off all the way, but I was able to get it low enough to look inside and run a magnet over things. I thought there was a chunk of metal, but it turned out to be greasy gunk that fell in there when I was trying to wiggle it free. I would say that sucks, but it's better than there actually being pieces of the skirt in there.

 

Funny! The piston is aluminum, not something that will stick to a magnet!