Yeah it sounds like a flywheel/torque converter issue. But I can't tell. I can hear it n the video though and it sounds like a slip. 🤔

 

Hmmm. I looked up the process to change that flywheel, in case that's the issue - that does not seem like fun to do. How does one diagnose the problem as "flywheel" or "torque converter"?

In the meantime, I've ordered a battery tester so that I can eliminate that as a potential issue if sending power to the starter motor.

I changed the oil today since that's one of the recommended tests in the FSM. I saw that the D had burned thru 1.5qts in 2500 miles - I wonder if that is normal for a 150K miles old car.

Another check recommended by the FSM was a failing oiling pump......

Haven't been able to pinpoint a specific diagnosizs yet.....

 

I think there is an inspection plate on the transmission housing. I'm not entirely sure, but I've used them on different makes. Chevy,Ford, etc. So, I'm just thinking there could be one. Flywheel issues are tooth related, broken gear, missing teeth. Usually a converter is pretty solid but can wear out the bearings on the input shaft. So, you'll have to get a better idea of the noise first, as pulling a tranny is a major project.

 

Have you tried jacking up the back wheels and hitting go slow and seeing if you have the noise? Jacking up the front and spinning by hand? Might narrow it down. It would be good if it was wheel or driveshaft noise. CV joints or something.

It sounds like something rubbing to me.

Those oil pumps are easy as to change, by the way.

That starter motor looks really nice.

 

I have not tried that. I want an easy button for this problem!
I tested the battery, since it was one of the recommended items on the FSM for the noise - the battery is bad. Getting a new battery today and we will see if that is the issue!
Fingers crossed!

 

While your battery could be bad it certainly won't be responsible for any noise in the car.

 

Got it. Battery was bad. Replaced it. The grinding noise sort of reduced (or maybe it's my placebo effect). Still there.....

 

I haven't disassembled any starter motor for this truck yet. But the ones I am familiar with use a solenoid to push the starter motor cog forward to engage the flywheel. If it operates on the same principle, I wonder if something is preventing the solenoid from retracting, or retracting completely? Maybe a bit of casting debris or something in your new starter? Or if there is something electrical keeps pushing it forward? You have a bit of contact there? Does it have exactly the same cog and travel distance as an original starter motor for your car?

 

Graman:
I recall you have done some fairly serious surgery on this 5.7L re new lifters, etc. Unless you had the engine or trans out, I don't think the sound is TQ/flexplate related.

I am thinking loose exhaust heat shield long the bottom of the floor pan. That sound has also been presented with a water pump on the way out. Just for giggles, remove the serp belt and go for a short spin. If the sound changes or goes away you have narrowed it down big time.

Don

 

@Don Fox,
Yes - it went thru a major surgery that did not include getting the engine or trans out. I checked the exhaust shields - they're new, and powder coated with SS bolts; they're still good.

That brings me to your suggestion of the serpentine belt removal to narrow it down to the water pump. I have never attempted this - and, the water pump is new, from Mopar replaced in Dec 2023.

But, I'm willing to try the test. So, how does one go about it? Just remove the belt, start the vehicle and drive for a short distance? Do I need to keep the AC/heater in off position? I really like the suggestion, because, like you said, if that sound is not there in this setup, it's a huge process-of-elimination result! Just want to make sure I'm understanding this correctly as to how to do this ...

Thank you!
-Morgan

 

Hi Morgan:
Before you remove the belt, take a pic with your phone so you can refer to it when you reinstall the belt.
Then rotate the tensoner away from the belt and slip it off of the alternator. Allow the tensioner to relax, then remove the belt completely.

Once the belt is off, and before you start it, wiggle/rotate all of the accessories it drives by hand to feel for up/down or in/out movement, as well as roughness.

You won't want to run it too far or long since the water pump won't be turning, and power steering will be armstrong method lol, but you can make a quick run around the block or down the road, say no more than a mile, and see if the noise remains or changes.

Re the heater, you can run it or not. Without the WP in play, it can't remove heat like it would if the WP were in motion.

Don

 

You guys jinxed me! Started the car this morning. Horrible clanking noise. Water pump has crapped itself. Clutch fan pulley is wobbling all over the show.

Halfway through changing it now. Thank heavens it was at home.

Feels like 45 alright.

Damn thing only did 15 000km since new. What a dud.

 

@wannaeatyourbrains your water pump crapped out this morning and you are already changing it?
Do you keep spares?
Where are you located?

 

I live in a place called Harazat, on the far edge of Jeddah near Mecca. Halfway to changing it means I have everything but the pump off so far. There is an industrial estate just down the road I should be able to get a new one from the Dodge shop. 5 minutes away. Gotta get it done tonight cause I have to go to work tomorrow. What a mission...

 

Makes sense now! Good luck with your job for today and take some pics of your project and post them up!

 

Victory is near.

 

I thought you were in Aus! Good luck - at least you won't get rust from salt during snow season!

 

Oh, nah fellers. I haven't lived in Australia for 23 years. Been here in Saudi for 10 years now. I work for the army. Saudi National Guard. I like it here. Very nice place with very nice people.

Just picked up a new water pump. I am with my Saudi mate owns the Malibu. Crankshaft pulley seal crapped itself on that. Oil everywhere. We just got the parts.

Sun is setting. We are on our way home, going to get these machines back on the road for tomorrow am.

 

Oh, nah fellers. I haven't lived in Australia for 23 years. Been here in Saudi for 10 years now. I work for the army. Saudi National Guard. I like it here. Very nice place with very nice people.

Just picked up a new water pump. I am with my Saudi mate owns the Malibu. Crankshaft pulley seal crapped itself on that. Oil everywhere. We just got the parts.

Sun is setting. We are on our way home, going to get these machines back on the road for tomorrow am.

View attachment 134990

Fellars??? Where are you from, Arkansas, it's either there or Jersey City NJ?

 

I wonder if those fender flares from your year could be retrofitted on a 3rd gen Durango. Start of a widebody project

 

If I was American, I reckon I would like to be from Texas. But Arkansas sounds cool.

 

Just tossing this out there.... any 'heat shield' or anything of that type that could be loose or vibrating at a certain speed?

 

Yeah, this was already pointed out and discarded in the OP. 😉👍

 

I recorded another video this morning when I started the DD on a cold engine. The noise is quite pronounced when the engine is cold. Haven't been able to do any diagnostic work for a few days due to incessant rain....
I'll post the video shortly...

 

Also, speaking of crankshaft seals, I remember when mine went in the Rango a couple of years back that the first symptom was a cyclic grinding, rasping noise at idle. It shifted in its position after it was worn. Have you any oil dripping, Graman?

Can't recall I heard it in the cab. But it's worth a look.

 

@wannaeatyourbrains,
There are no oil leaks - not a drop. Posting a second video now.....

 

cat convertor brick loose

 

I am sorry, what is a cat converter brick? Did not find much info googling it.....sounds like something that I should look into since the DD has nearly 150K miles....

 

I think he means the inside part of a cat might be loose. A pretty useless post to have not described it better.

 

Here is another video. I have put in more details in this video about the vehicle in R/D/P etc. I think the grinding noise is heard more audible in this video - it starts at around 10 seconds into the video. I hope this can be figured out over the weekend with help from this forum. I am going to do the @Don Fox 's suggestion of disconnecting the belt to see if the noise goes away to eliminate a water pump issue. The waterpump is brand new from Mopar that was installed in December 2023.

Thanks in advance!

 

This sounds like it could be an exhaust rattle to me.
When you do the belt removal, do a video from under the hood.

Be sure to check all of the belt driven accessories for play/roughness by hand when you have the belt off.

Don

 

Now I know I am old because I could not hear anything. I guess I am shouting at people too.

 

Ok I just barely heard it in reverse still no clue...

 

UPDATE:
Found the issue! Its the heat shield above the exhaust pipes on the passenger side. The heat shield which seems to be Aluminum, wore out around the washers of the bolts securing it to the body of the vehicle. I may have to put it a wider SS washer along with a heat resistant rubberized washer to hold it in place.

This is on the driver's side. It is still secured and in place, but it looks like I have to go around and put in larger washers on these just in case.... a project when I don't know what to do with my time (which is a long way off)

There is also a lot of rust and breakdown because of that on the exhaust system. Does this need to be replaced? For now, I just pushed it back in place....

I have sprayed some rust penetrant to get two of the bolts out that secured the heat shield to the vehicle. Going to get some SS washers and probably some rubberized high heat washers as well to prevent abrasion on the heat shied when I put it back on....

Will post pictures after this is done this evening. ....

 

Yay! Problem solved!