Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[wpo750]

The OH recently drove down to Devon from London and whilst she was there she called me to say that the Jeep had started squeaking quite noisily. She did mention that it was particularly wet at the time and I discounted it as a problem when she later told me that it had stopped. 

I have been driving it during the week and I have noticed that the squeak/squeal/chirp is only apparent during the first few miles of driving and once up to operating temperature the squeaking subsides.  This happens every time it's started from cold and the squeaking is relative to engine speed.  i.e much more noticeable at idle.

I've tried to locate the origin of the squeak and at first I thought it may be the serpentine belt but it's well tensioned and was replaced during the summer along with the water pump.  I'm thinking it could be an idler pulley but I cannot be sure.

I was wondering if anyone could suggest as to what the cause may be?  The search throws up U-joint as being a a 'squeaker' but mine is not constant as it gradually disappears during a drive.  I'm happy to get spannering but my knowledge of the XJ is weak so I would appreciate a more knowledgeable diagnosis and an online guide to follow.

Cheers!

[MOCAJ]

is it under the passengers feet,sounds like birds ??

[ivanidea]

I had something similar on my old TD XJ.

I seem to remember reading about the power steering motor not liking the cold.  Another possibility could be the water pump.

Anything drive related would continue when the vehicle warms up.

[wpo750]

is it under the passengers feet,sounds like birds ??

I cannot determine the location of the chirping budgies but it does indeed sound like a flock of budgies are trapped somewhere in the engine bay!

I had something similar on my old TD XJ.

I seem to remember reading about the power steering motor not liking the cold.  Another possibility could be the water pump.

Anything drive related would continue when the vehicle warms up.

That does seem to narrow things down and I will look further into the power steering pump, thanks.  The water pump was replaced a few months back and was a new unit so I'd hate to think it was that...

[gazjeep]

Dont want to steal MOCAJ's thunder but the squeaking  sparrows is symtematic of propshaft UJ's being dried out & in need of greasing asap 

Been there done that as have many others

[Bubba]

get the grease gun out quick

[captain cavalier]

could be viscous fan

[Bubba]

could be but the sparrows nest is expensive to fix so always worth a shot of grease

[tim_aka_tim]

With steve, gaz and kev on this - get the grease gun out.

[eddscott]

Dont want to steal MOCAJ's thunder but the squeaking  sparrows is symtematic of propshaft UJ's being dried out & in need of greasing asap 

Been there done that as have many others

Would you hear the squeaking more when the wheels were turned? 

I was about to post near enough the same question for my XJ.  I've noticed mine squeaks and might well be in time with the UJs - my steering feels notchy on tight turns also - would greasing help this too?

Will any grease gun do and are the nipples easy to find?

[MOCAJ]

the angry sparrows are in the front propshaft in the double cardon joint. The fix is to use a needle greaser to get grease behind the rubber cover so prolonging its life. The sparrows can come and go with rain and other factors.

Driveshaft Uj's at the hub end come as non greasable unless fitted as an aftermarket upgrade, i always fit greasable when replacing 

If a standard Uj is noisy replace it but make sure the noise is there first

[wpo750]

Well even if it's not the UJ it's a Sunday task worth doing it seems.  Is it merely a case of pulling the rubber boot back and getting stuck in? http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hZrcIHMIYxg/R7VRPY5n6jI/AAAAAAAAAGY/DDXIKxWN3kU/s1600-h/cv+joint.jpg

[brick]

If the noise is from the engine bay and goes when the vehicle has warmed through, then this could be the start of one or more of the pulleys starting to show bearing ware. That's how mine sounded for a while before I had a spot of forced maintenance two days before I was planning on changing it out.

I would slip the belt loose and go over each of them checking the have a good spin feel and aren't getting ready to spit themselves out.

[wpo750]

If the noise is from the engine bay and goes when the vehicle has warmed through, then this could be the start of one or more of the pulleys starting to show bearing ware. That's how mine sounded for a while before I had a spot of forced maintenance two days before I was planning on changing it out.

I would slip the belt loose and go over each of them checking the have a good spin feel and aren't getting ready to spit themselves out.

To be fair this is was I first suspected and I will take a closer look tomorrow along with the greasing of the UJ.  Which of the pulleys was worn when you had to go through the process and where's the best place for a replacement part?  Excuse the questions but I've been a bit slack with the Jeep maintenance and I'm still yet to get over that initial reluctance.