Engine noise/squeak from front of enging when warmed up

55

Asked by rwturnbow Aug 28, 2010 at 03:22 PM about the 1999 Dodge RAM 1500 ST Club Cab RWD

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

Getting a squeaking noise from front of engine.  No noise when first started and cold.  Located the noise source from around the cam gear housing, just behind the vibration dampener.  

6 Answers

33,435

ironically i was in my thinking room (if you catch my drift) reading my jegs magazine, and they had some piece that goes between the block and cam gear to prevent the cam gear from rubbing against the block (which would make a squeaking/grinding noise). but also your sure that its not a belt squeek? i know on my 96 1500 i had a small leak coming from the heater core supply line (the metal one that comes out of the water pump on the drivers side) and it would run down the water pump then down the front of the engine and get on the crank pulley, id listen to it all day when the engine was warm.

1 people found this helpful.
55

Thanks for the suggestions. No water leak, there at least. I was thinking it may be the cam chain tightener, but looking at an engine break down, the 5.9L engine doesn't appear to have one. It has a new belt. I put a mechanic's stethoscope to the power steering pump and any other components in the belt path, no unusual noise. Touched the cam housing, just above the oil pan and the squeak comes through load and clear. I'm sure a bad bearing would have more of a grinding sound?

2 people found this helpful.
33,435

ive never really torn the timing chain housing off the truck before so i dont know is the chain oiled by engine oil? if not try popping the housing off and putting some like marvel mystery oil on the chain

2 people found this helpful.
30

RW, did you ever pin down the squeak? Fix it? my 96 is doing the exact same thing you first described. Checked ALL pulleys and a new belt. Stethoscope says it is right behind the vibration dampener.

3 people found this helpful.
55

No, sorry. I did notice that the engine pulley seemed to have worked its way back to the point of touching the cam gear housing. Because the pulley was isolated, I was able to push it forward with the use of a pry bar. Noise eventually went away on its own. Sold the truck a few years back.

3 people found this helpful.

Your Answer:

RAM 1500

Looking for a Used RAM 1500 in your area?

CarGurus has 1,604 nationwide RAM 1500 listings starting at $995.

ZIP:

Own this car?

Share your experience with others.

1999 Dodge RAM 1500

Review another car

CarGurus Experts

  • #1
    Dan Connell
    Reputation
    19,890
  • #2
    dandyoun
    Reputation
    15,170
  • #3
    Gene Arnett
    Reputation
    11,710
View All

Know more, shop wisely

Search

Related Models For Sale

Used Ford F-150
6,177 Great Deals out of 133,343 listings starting at $900
Used Chevrolet Silverado 1500
4,181 Great Deals out of 130,735 listings starting at $1,000
Used GMC Sierra 1500
1,936 Great Deals out of 66,624 listings starting at $1,100
Used Dodge RAM 2500
68 Great Deals out of 1,097 listings starting at $3,500
Used Toyota Tundra
1,088 Great Deals out of 33,545 listings starting at $3,000
Used Toyota Tacoma
2,044 Great Deals out of 33,226 listings starting at $2,990
Used Jeep Grand Cherokee
2,629 Great Deals out of 51,139 listings starting at $750
Used Dodge Durango
853 Great Deals out of 22,028 listings starting at $1,880
Used Ford F-250 Super Duty
1,369 Great Deals out of 42,700 listings starting at $2,000
Used Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
1,076 Great Deals out of 30,774 listings starting at $3,762
Used Ford Mustang
901 Great Deals out of 22,516 listings starting at $1,000

Used Cars for Sale

2010 Dodge RAM 1500 For Sale
20 Great Deals out of 247 listings starting at $3,995
2009 Dodge RAM 1500 For Sale
14 Great Deals out of 180 listings starting at $1,500
2008 Dodge RAM 1500 For Sale
14 Great Deals out of 198 listings starting at $995
2007 Dodge RAM 1500 For Sale
7 Great Deals out of 185 listings starting at $3,995
2006 Dodge RAM 1500 For Sale
11 Great Deals out of 171 listings starting at $1,999

Content submitted by Users is not endorsed by CarGurus, does not express the opinions of CarGurus, and should not be considered reviewed, screened, or approved by CarGurus. Please refer to CarGurus Terms of Use. Content will be removed if CarGurus becomes aware that it violates our policies.