High pitch squeak - Chevy 4.3L???? Any ideas?

[Jonce]

My little commuter truck - 1993 Chevy S-10 4.3L - developed a high pitch squeak in the last three days. When the engine is warm and at idle, the squeak is apparent. If you rev the engine while in park or neutral, the squeak lessens but its still there. If you are in drive and apply the gas, the squeak goes away.

It's not the alternator, belt, or tensioner pulley - those are the most common things to check. I was trying to locate the squeak yesterday and it appears to be coming from the top side of the motor around the throttle body. Without a stethoscope, its hard to track down and of course not wanting to get anything caught in the fan blade.

Anyone experience this or know what it could possibly be?

The truck is sitting at home right now until I get it figured out. I could just keep replacing things until the squeak goes away but I'm afraid I would end up with a ZZ4 and a blower by the time I'm done

 

[oonighttrain]

maybe a waterpump gone bad?? bearings go and they can start to squeel.. just remove the belt, if the squeel goes away, its either the a/c, alternator, p/s or waterpump...


p.s. dont let it run too long without the belt..

 

[brushwolf]

I bet your flywheel is cracking around the center hub.

 

[Jonce]

I bet your flywheel is cracking around the center hub.

EEEEK - that sounds like a weekend project. Is this a common problem with the 4.3's? I have had several of them and haven't had this issue before.

maybe a waterpump gone bad?? bearings go and they can start to squeel.. just remove the belt, if the squeel goes away, its either the a/c, alternator, p/s or waterpump...

I should give that a try tonight. I was wondering if I could do that or not.

 

[Snowizard]

Vacuum leak maybe? With engine idling, vacuum is at its highest. Could be a crack in a vacuum hose, or bad gasket in/around the intake manifold.
Being a '93, might be worth a look.
$0.02

 

[Motley Doo]

Fan clutch?

 

[Super B]

I think you just need to hike up your skirt and buy that ZZ4 crate engine!!!!

 

[SPARK PLUG]

might be the bushing in your distributor, remove the dist and check to make sure the shaft spins freely

 

[switchback]

might be the bushing in your distributor, remove the dist and check to make sure the shaft spins freely

Good suggestion.

That, and you could try letting the high school chick out from behind the seat

 

[Jonce]

Good suggestion.

That, and you could try letting the high school chick out from behind the seat

No way, she's part of my Roadside Assistance supplies I keep in the truck.

Good suggestions, thanks guys.


And Super B, if you foot the bill for $4500 engine and new 700R4, I will let you help install it and maybe even test drive it.

 

[srs]

haaa -- roadside assistance program !!!! cool !!!!

actually i have seen alot of flywheels do that myself--

4.3-- 305-350 ,, then they go from squeeking to a rattle,,,, yad think the engines comming apart !!!! but give it some gas -- and goes away !!!

 

[Trukker]

Had the same issue on a 94 Sonama and it's a cheap fix.It is in fact the Throttle Body gasket that is leaking.Does it sound like the Alternator packing in?High pitch sound.

 

[hilinerider]

brother had a 5.3l in an 01 4dr 3/4t that would squeak intermittently at idle, changed from cheap quikie lube crap 30 w oil to good quality 15w40 and it went away, gunk was not letting enough lube to the overhead, higher detergent oil did the trick,

had the same thing happen with a couple gas compressor engines, went away from an ashless 40w to a high detergent 15w40, cured the problem

just my 02

 

[BU1]

Vacuum leak maybe? With engine idling, vacuum is at its highest. Could be a crack in a vacuum hose, or bad gasket in/around the intake manifold.
Being a '93, might be worth a look.
$0.02

Had the same issue on a 94 Sonama and it's a cheap fix.It is in fact the Throttle Body gasket that is leaking.Does it sound like the Alternator packing in?High pitch sound.

Bingo. My 93 did the same thing.

 

[catmark]

brother had a 5.3l in an 01 4dr 3/4t that would squeak intermittently at idle, changed from cheap quikie lube crap 30 w oil to good quality 15w40 and it went away, gunk was not letting enough lube to the overhead, higher detergent oil did the trick,

had the same thing happen with a couple gas compressor engines, went away from an ashless 40w to a high detergent 15w40, cured the problem

just my 02

Why would you be running 30w in a newer vehicle??

 

[hilinerider]

Why would you be running 30w in a newer vehicle??

from whay his crew said the quickie lube was puttin in 5w30, not sure on the brand

 

[brushwolf]

Do we have a verdict yet?

 

[H2SNOW]

take a long handled screw driver with the engine running and hold it on all of the above suggested spots to nail it down ...you could be deaf and still find it ..

 

[Jonce]

Had the same issue on a 94 Sonama and it's a cheap fix.It is in fact the Throttle Body gasket that is leaking.Does it sound like the Alternator packing in?High pitch sound.

BINGO! Gasket comes in today, there was a leak. We sprayed lubricant around the base and you could actually see it getting sucked in. Looks to be an easy fix.

Side note: I've been thinking about picking up a used 5.3L and 4L60e trans for my s-10. I just found a website that makes custom wiring harnesses for these s-10 conversions, plug and play. My 4.3L is supposed to have 165hp, feels like 120 hp at most. I wouldn't mind having a 285 hp small block fuel injected engine I'm gathering parts prices right now, just debating if I want to take the project or not. It's my commuter car, I should get roughly the same mileage if I keep the foot off the go pedal. This guy builds some nice trucks http://www.v8s10s.com/

 

[J-Roc]

Jonce, I built a TBI 350 in a 4x4 S-10. Worked out REALLY well. If you have any questions, or want to see pics, let me know. Since you have a two wheel drive, and it's a 4.3, and TBI already, it should literally be a 27 beer job..... Pm me, and i'll fill ya in.