Hi,

While finishing up a test drive to try to figure out a trans issue the engine developed a squeal in the front near the belts.  It has gotten progressively worse to the point that I am scared to even start it.  It has even had laborious starts since the squealing started.   Now the squealing is really loud.  I removed the air pump belt but no change.  A\C belt had been removed long ago.  Water pump is relatively new.  I tried using the screwdriver to the ear technique to the power steering pump, alternator, water pump, anything that I could find in that area.  I had read that the harmonic balancer can slip and rub on the timing chain cover but that is not the issue, plenty off clearance.  I plan on removing all belts and give it a shot again but as I mentioned earlier, I'm not sure if there is something major wrong and I don't want to risk creating more problems.  Oil pressure was at 20 idling so I put in some Lucas in an effort to get the pressure back up for testing.  Its at 40 psi idle now.

Any ideas on steps i should take safely?  Was thinking about dropping the pan but was hoping that someone has had the issue before.

Thanks for any assistance!

|UPDATED|6/20/2016 11:52:17 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|

Thanks for the reply, Joanne.

I planned on taking off all belts this weekend and going from there.  Its just that I have heard belts and water pump bearings before and this is so much louder than I remember. 

My GUESS is altenater. If you have the belt off, check for shaft wobble. Also look for black dust type deposits near openings.

Could be one of the belts slipping. Also don't forget the electric fan.

S'plain what this means? Does it turn over slow? Spins easy but won't fire off?
Are you certain the noise is coming from the front of the engine? Hard starting, and a squealing noise could be the starter bendix not releasing....
Take all the belts off as has been suggested first. If the noise is still there, and you're sure the balancer ring hasn't slid back, there's really nothing left at the front of the engine to make a squealing noise except the cam gear/chain. It's possible one(or more) of the bolts holding the cam gear to the cam has loosened up and is rubbing the backside of the timing chain cover.



|UPDATED|6/22/2016 9:50:12 AM (AZT)|/UPDATED|

When I crank it over it turns hard like it has a dead battery although I know the battery is good. (replaced it with a known good battery and still cranked over hard)  Kind of like the starter is turning over a motor with a lot of drag in it.

Last time I had a car turn over like this the timing was way off which is something I need to check when I get it to run


|UPDATED|6/24/2016 9:05:28 AM (AZT)|/UPDATED|

After taking off all of the belts and listening to the various points with an extension I turns out that it was, in fact, a spun bearing. Dropped the oil pan and took off number one connecting rod as I could see a shiny piece of metal oozing out from between the rod and crank.

Thanks to everyone for all of your suggestions and help.

YIKES! Bet you wish it was a belt or altenater bearing! How's the journal on the crank? No dings hopfully to make a difference in later rides. No pieces in there to cause problems?

When I dropped the pan and saw a sharp bit of shiny metal I knew it wasn't going to be good.  One bearing was nested right on top of the other.  Crank is in need of help as it is scarred all the way around.  Unfortunately all of the machine shops in the area of Bolingbrook Illinois are getting really bad reviews.  Lots of horror stories to be found.  Looks like a new crank and hopefully only a couple of rods will take care of it.

Yes, i was really hoping that it was belt or at most a cam sprocket bolt rubbing on the cover.  No such luck.