Noise from bell housing.. transmission expert needed

[JNickel101]

Which bolts are visable when you take off the inspection cover? Is that the "flex plate" (the large gear-looking disc)?

 

[Talyn]

The noise is still present. In fact whatever is causing the noise is exerting a force on the crank and tore up a new thrust bearing, as the rear side was severely worn. I have been through two transmissions, both with their own torque converters, two flex plates, and a third torque converter. No change in the sound. Couldn't find any cause of the sound in the engine either. All bearing clearances are right where them should be. I don't under stand how two transmissions could be doing the same thing.

 

[JNickel101]

Mine doesn't seem to be destructive - no damage or performance loss that I can detect. I'm hoping it is a timing chain issue that just projects the sound back through the crank, leading to the sound coming from the bell housing.....or sounding that way.

I just listened to your video....mine doesn't sound like that....yours is more of a constant tick/rattle, mine sounds like there is a marble randomly bouncing around in there....and it goes away when I give it gas. But, similar to yours, it is there no matter what gear I'm in.....

 

[Talyn]

I'm thinking I might have a clogged transmission cooler line when it gets hot, which could cause excess pressure.

 

[JNickel101]

Mine is at any temp....from startup on...

I notice that if I get on the gas a little, the rattle increases with RPM - but only to a point. Once the RPMs get to a certain point, the noise goes away....

 

[Talyn]

Did you check your flex plate for cracks or lose bolts?

 

[JNickel101]

I've only opened the inspection cover and checked those bolts...I haven't pulled the tranny itself - REALLY don't want to do that!

 

[Talyn]

You may be able to see the cracks with the bell housing access plate off.. if you look around the crank. But still the crack could be between the bolt holes.

 

[TerraWombat]

I've got an '01 XJ, AW4, 4.0L w/158k miles and I have a similar, but quieter, sound only at idle. At first, I thought it was rod knock, but I think I've traced it down to near the rear of the engine and maybe in the bellhousing. It's definitely not as pronounced as the noise in your videos, but it's somewhat similar.

Anyway, here's to hoping someone can figure it out...

 

[wheelinscott]

Hate to bring this back up from the dead, but on your youtube video it said that it ended up being cam walk. Is that true? What did it end up being? I'm having the exact same noise from my bell housing as well. i checked the flywheel bolts and checked for cracks.

I haven't rebuilt my motor besides the head being cleaned and new valve seals. I have 230000 on the motor now, and the transmission has 160k on it. (put it in around christmas).

 

[Talyn]

Yes, it was cam walk. I replaced the stock pin and spring retaining setup with solid pin and it went away. Then I went with a custom 98+ cam with a true retaining plate.

However, with your mileage it could be piston slap.