My Jeep Fiasco

[Sam]

I just want to say how happy I am to have someone like Dave and Javier to come help me with my Jeep. Also, please forgive my auto term ignorance. It may be offensive to some who are mechanically inclined.

Originally, there has been this "whining" sound coming from the engine. We looked at it and found the fan behind the radiator was very tight. I ordered a new fan unit and also a few new rear hatch connectors (keep the hatch up) because for those of you who have fished with me, know that I have been using a 2x2 to hold up the whole thing on the beach. (Very dangerous, but never fell on my head). Javier fixed this problem in 15 min or less... It would have taken me two days because I would have broken out the rear glass for sure.

After opening the hood and looking around for a bit, Dave and Javier found that the fan crank unit that connects to the engine was VERY tight. We had to go to the automotive store and rent a fan crank extraction unit.

Well, we got ready to take that out and noticed the radiator was LITERALLY falling apart. The metal was flaking off like old cobwebs. I am shocked that I hadn't blown something on the beach before now...

Now we really had a situation. We then drove to Salisbury, picked up new radiator while Javier changed all 8 spark plugs...and then the old radiator extraction process began.

Jeeps are not very fun to work on. There were more bolts, nuts, screws, wires, fluids, pine shats, daddy long legs than I ever dreamed. I swear I saw a billy goat jump out of that engine at one point.

Now, keep in mind, I'm not totally useless. I can type fast...

I was really starting to feel bad for these guys because I am not used to seeing so many "knuckle busters". It was about 45 degrees and nothing would turn right, nothing would stick right and every time we needed to get a tool inside the engine, it wouldn't fit, but if we dropped a tool anywhere in the general vicinity of the Jeep, it would fall right into the deepest, darkest crevice of the engine.

All said and done, brand new radiator, new spark plugs, new oil based air filter ($60 for that baby) and new fluids, new rear hatch 'hold em uppers".

These guys were FANTASTIC and very pleasant to have over. They didn't ask for much money, but I gave them double that and promised more later because I was so impressed..

Now we just have to find out what that darn "whining" noise is...

[Steve]

Sounds like the power steering pump.
That's the first thing I would look at.
If not that, check the a/c compressor.

[travis]

i wouldnt run an open element air filter on the beach.sand will get in there.unless you plan to clean and oil it alot.next time your at the store hold one up to thr light.you can see rite through them.and the fan being tight,do you meen it was hard to spin.if its a clutch fan its suposed to be.what kind of jeep is it?

[igormothra]

I have a K&N open air filter and let me tell you...I have to clean it regularly... it get so caked with sand its not even funny. Way to go Dave and Javier!!!!!!

[Steve]

I use a dry filter, a NAPA 6637.
Twenty eight bucks and lasts 18 months.
It's about the size of a 1.5 gallon bucket.
It sits on top at the side and stays clean & dry.

I wouldn't even think of using an oiled filter anywhere.

[Dave]

It is not an open air filter, just a K&N filter in the factory housing, the whining noise is the AC compressor, and Travis, the fan clutch was bad, I have plenty of experience with them. Lets just say Sam your jeep was a lot of fun but it is the least we can do for a great individual such as you.

[Randy Stinchcomb]

Sam, great report lmao reading it

[travis]

sorry.by open air element i mean a open weave cotton filter.a k&n.i would check the belt tensioner before the most expensive things for the squeak.or a pully or something.

[Dave]

Originally Posted by travis

sorry.by open air element i mean a open weave cotton filter.a k&n.i would check the belt tensioner before the most expensive things for the squeak.or a pully or something.

Travis, dont get me wrong I appreciate your input, when I had the belt off I spun all pulley's possible by hand, tensioner is located at the bottom left of his engine, no defects found, the noise is coming from the top front of the engine, the only two items right there are the alternator and the ac compressor, the alternator spins by hand with no noise the ac compressor has a metallic grinding sound when spinning by hand and I had recently found out after all was put back together that the ac does not work. not telling him to go and buy one just yet but as of right now it is the top suspect.
Thanks again for your thoughts though travis. I believe the ac compressor bearings are shot but I will be investigating further.
Also Sam you will never have to buy another air filter again just the occasional cleaning.
Now remember the fan clutch and radiator were changed because of Sam's engine running hot on the beach, the clutch was bad and the radiator was a last minute find, you literaly had to only breath on the front fins for them to fall off. The work was nothing out of the usual for me or Javier, it has come to be expected with any mechanical job. The corrosion is what makes life difficult sometimes. Sam your jeep is in real good shape for being a beach vehicle, I have seen a lot worse vehicles and ones that have never been close to the beach, I am just glad Javier and I was of help and that you are satisfied with the work we have done.

[Steve]

I'm still thinking P/S pump maybe.
Perhaps leave the a/c belt off and see if there is still a whine.
Is it a variable frequency?
RPM affect it?
When does it whine?
Sometimes the alt can do it under a load too (lights on).

I know you know this stuff, sometimes the simple stuff staring at you gets missed though.

[Dave]

Originally Posted by Steve

I'm still thinking P/S pump maybe.
Perhaps leave the a/c belt off and see if there is still a whine.
Is it a variable frequency?
RPM affect it?
When does it whine?
Sometimes the alt can do it under a load too (lights on).

I know you know this stuff, sometimes the simple stuff staring at you gets missed though.

Steve, i really do appreciate your help, he only has one belt driving everything. if it was the power steering pump you would also hear it when applying a load to the steering wheel, the noise is constant, but then again I only heard it while the truck was Idiling, I did not get a chance to run it. he does have a slight leak with the power steering pump, and it is not really a whine but a metallic grinding growl. The noise is definately either the alternator or the ac compressor, I still think the later of the two. Only due to the fact that the alternator even under load operates normally and the sound is more prominent from the drivers side which is the side the ac compressor is on. I also spun the alternator pulley by hand when the belt was off, and spun smoothly where as the ac compressor was rough. stopped almost instantly. Again I do appreciate all the advice that everyone is given. I like all the different opinions.

[Steve]

Ahhh, a serpentine belt, ok.....
Yeah, I'd have to say the a/c too.
Sounds locked up, bearings shot.
Pretty inexpensive pickup at the junk yard.
Good thing it's an American vehicle, else it'd cost a bundle.

[Dave]

Originally Posted by Steve

Ahhh, a serpentine belt, ok.....
Yeah, I'd have to say the a/c too.
Sounds locked up, bearings shot.
Pretty inexpensive pickup at the junk yard.
Good thing it's an American vehicle, else it'd cost a bundle.

I was thinking the same thing, should be an easy junk yard pickup and Sam will actually have ac again.