Screeching Sound from Engine...Help (Not a belt)

[Cobra_Kid]

Ok -

I just went to the gas station and fill her up and then pulling into the driveway I heard this rather LOUD screeching sound. I left her at an idle and the sound repeated "by itself" without any throttle from me about every 90 seconds. No A/C or anything was turned on.
I then opened the hood and just barley flicked the throttle about to 1.2k and it repeated every time. I thought maybe a belt is loose as it sound like that's it right? But, the sound seems to be coming from the rear "down low" area of the engine? Maybe I am hearing it wrong but that's where it sounds like...engine runs fine...no smoke, smells, good idle and no lights or gauges out of spec. Hummmm...any ideas? It was dark so a morning inspection is in order.

Thanks -

1998 Cobra N/A 25,900 miles

 

[Crone]

That's a bitch for a car with such low mileage.... goodluck man

 

[MustangChris]

replace your belt. $15.00 easy fix.
Replace your front main seal. $25.00 Moderate fix.
Replace your rear main seal. $30.00 Difficult fix.


I hope someone gives you some other options to try before you have to drop your tranny :-(

 

[Cobra_Kid]

Hummm. Someone stated it might be a Throwout bearing or Pilot bearing in the clutch. That would be strange for just 25k on the car?

 

[2slo95fiveoh]

If it is making the screeching noise, and you depress the clutch pedal, does the noise change/go away?
If it does, i would bet the Throw-Out Bearing is to blame. If it doesn't change, then the Pilot Bearing is the most likely cause..
BTW, the Pilot bearing is on the back of the crankshaft in the engine, not in the Clutch itself.
My Pilot Bearing makes noise when my car is warmed up, but I don't feel like pulling my transmission, so I'm living with it for now.
As far as the low mileage, it may only have 26K on the clock, but it's still 11 years old, parts will deteriorate and wear down..

 

[MustangChris]

yes.

considering the age of your car, im leaning more towards the seals.

bearings tend to make more noise as they gradually go out.. not just BANG, SQUUUUUEEEEEEEL

 

[95gtdrop]

idler pulley?

 

[glittle75]

to completly eliminate belt / pullies being the problem, take the belt off then start the car, do what you did before to make it squeel, if it still does you probly have clutch / bearing problems back there, if not, then replace the belt and idler pullies.

and by removing the belt, it does nothing bad to the car. dont let it run to long, the alternater wont be charging the battery. so far as the otehr stuff (water pump, A/C, PS) it wont hurt as long as you dont go for a drive.