Hey fellas,

Just took delivery of my 1987 Wagoneer XJ and while I was looking at the running engine I noticed that it is making a kind of grinding noise that really makes me think that some bearing are on their way out. Problem is that I can't really pinpoint where it's coming from. My inclination points to the water pump, but I see no noticeable wobble (not that that is necessary for the a bearing about to fail). Only pulley that has any sort of wobble at all is the flywheel, and it's pretty minute. Any thoughts?

4.0 running:

 

Remove belt and sin things yet it deff alt,ac, idler pulley area.

 

I really appreciate the response but can you please rephrase? I didn't really understand what you said there.

 

I think I translated it. Lol

 

Had to p. Forgot a few details sworry.

 

Whatsamatta? You only speak English or sumthin?





For the noise, you need a mechanic's stethoscope.

Try one once and you'll never want to be without one. You'll be amazed at what you can hear.

 

Thank y'all for the responses. I've been wanting an excuse to get a mechanic's stethoscope for awhile now. Now I have an excuse!

So let me make sure I understand the initial post though; 1) remove the belt 2) fiddle with all the pulleys and see if any of them are loose or grind or are otherwise just wonky? ID one and fix said part.

I think I got it right....right?

Thanks!

S/F,

-Matt

 

Another indication of the water pump going out is coolant leaking out of the weep hole. It'll run down the lower radiator hose. Just did mine today. And make sure when you find the problem to let us know!

 

Yeah, you can do that, but with the mechanic's stethoscope, you really don't need to. When you put the end of that thing on a stationary object near each pulley (with the engine running), you will know which one is bad. You might even hear more than one bad pulley.

With the 'scope, you'll hear a bad pulley or water pump long before the symptoms are as obvious as a wiggly pulley.

When you get that thing, go crazy with it. Listen all over your engine and trans. You'll be amazed what you hear.