Help With Engine Noise

Hi All,

Started up the Jeep this AM and it was making a strange noise. No sooner did I get a video of it (link below) and the engine died and wouldn’t turn over. Any thoughts on possible issues would be greatly appreciated!

https://youtube.com/shorts/ePWqtkgtPFc?si=AqPpSjAgPI1KOR97

 

What does that mean, exactly? Frozen? Won't crank? Won't fire?

 

Hi Pete, it appears as though the starter cannot crank the engine. I didn’t have a lot of time this AM to poke around but I did check the battery voltage which was fine.

 

As in, the starter is weak? Or, as in the starter is trying hard but the engine won't rotate? Does the engine move/turn even a little?

Good voltage may not reveal low amperage (current), and starters need big amps. Better to check voltage while actually cranking, and check all connections.

 

Ah I see what you’re asking. As soon as I turn the key I hear a click and it sounds like the starter is trying to go but can’t. I will definitely check these connections—thanks for the lead!

 

Don't worry about the starter right now fix the engine or you will make a toaster out of the starter. Pull the plugs and get a sample of oil out of the oil pan drain.
Pull the distributor cap and check for damage. Inspect the clutch via the covers.
Can you rock the motor back and forth with the vehicle in high 3rd?
Do you have a tow bar, quiet parking lot, and a stunt double?

 

The odd thing is that 2 days ago it was running great, so unless something catastrophic happened this AM (very possible) it could potentially be electrical?

 

I strongly suspect this is an electrical problem, starter, battery, or cables. But you do need to determine that the engine is not stuck. Pull the plugs, put in 3rd gear and rock the Jeep. The engine should rotate. If it passes that test, the cables are usually the prime suspects. Make sure the terminals are clean, both on the cables and battery, and check for corrosion in the cable ends. If those look good, the battery would be my next suspect. Like Pete posted, it is possible to have proper voltage and still no amperage output under load. If you have another good battery the same voltage as the Jeep battery, hook a set of jumpers up in parallel to the Jeep battery. If no go there, it is likely the starter, the caveat being the ring gear could be gnarled up and not letting the pinion engage but usually you have a lot of warning before that becomes nonfunctional. Good luck.

 

The video definitely had some noise towards the back of the motor. My biggest concern is water in the oil and a locked up bearing. Check that before forcing the motor around. After that I would pull plugs and give it some gentle nudges in gear. Was the motor setting along time or running hot, is the coolant level stable?

 

Yes, the engine noise was new and very apparent even from inside the Jeep so I would have noticed it the last time I ran it.

The Jeep has been sitting for a few days only, nothing long-term.

 

What did you have for oil pressure? It did not sound well in that clip. That engine is seized.

 

Oil pressure was around 60 PSI which is typically what it is upon a cold start.

 

What viscosity motor oil were you using?

 

Engine gonna need a tear down sorry to say.

 

Just a crazy idea, but I wonder if the bendix didn't dis-engage and that noise is the starter/flywheel gears

 

Currently running 10W-30 high zinc oil.

 

Yeah, not good. Pull the pan and Check the rear main bearing. I'ld bet it spun.

 

What's wrong with 10-30 High Zinc oil?

Me, I'd check a lot more of the basics before pulling pans and bearings.

 

Nothing wrong with the oil, that's the problem. I'ld expect that pressure with 15-40w. that's a bit high for 10-30 in an f-134 in my opinion unless it's really really cold. Yes check basics first but don't go making things worse by forcing it around.

 

Sounded more like a top end thing , like a tappet. to me ....... Or , it could very well be what Pete diagnosed , with the Starter bendix & such? Remember the KISS principal. AMHIK. Like all the others have said......get the compression off of it & try to turn the crank over , by Hand , with a flex bar & socket . If it turns a mite.........Your not seized