Towed the jeep to Kentucky last weekend. While there and driving the dodge to get fuel (not towing) I suddenly noticed a LOUD growl coming from what seems to be the back lower part of the engine bay.

It does this in Park and Neutral and at certain RPMs particularly in 3rd gear when not under heavy load.

When I put it in gear it seems to go away.

I towed the jeep home from Kentucky yesterday and other than the noise I have no symptoms at all. All temps (engine, EGT, and trans) all stayed perfect...no matter what the speed or grade.

Truck has plenty of power. engine oil is full and clean as is tranny fluid.

Thinking of pulling the inspection cover on trans but not sure what that will show me other than is the TC is loose...?

Any ideas?

 

Flexplate cracked or bolts coming loose is first thought.

 

This was exactly my thought as this is what I experienced before upgrading the trans. Mine sounded like a loose connection in the exhaust. Finally got up under there to find it was the flex plate letting go.
FYI: "If" that's your problem; your already on borrowed time.

Good luck!

 

I think it is.

I just popped off the little TINY inspection plate and turned the motor over to look at different places around the plate and TC.

No visible damage BUT on 2 of the bolts holding the TC to the plate I can wiggle the plate enough by hand to make noise...then getting under the truck while running it seems certain that's where the noise if coming from.

What's it run to have the flex plate replaced?

 

First, try tightening up the TQ to flexplate bolts and hope that is the issue......

Otherwise it is the local price for pulling your trans plus a couple hundred for a flexplate.

Depending on mileage it may be wise to do the rear main seal while you are in there.

 

Now how in the blue moon do you get to the TC bolts? LOL

I can't see how to get to them...is there another access point or is the bottom insp plate it?

48RE trans.

 

Bottom inspection plate it is.......... and it isn't much fun as you have seen.

 

What about pulling the starter off?

 

Don't know, never tried it that way.

 

Found an actual access panel on the passenger side...I'm guessing the access panel for just such a job.

Plan to put in bolts with red Loctite and see what happens. Worst case is she'll be in the shop next week.

 

Have you seen if the hole lines up? That is actually the pilot for the Cummins barring tool, and should be outboard of any bolts, as it should be roughly 1/2" outside of the actual ring gear. It is used to turn the engine over manually with what is called a barring tool.

 

Don't use red use blue or you may wish you never did.

 

The flex plate bolts can indeed be accessed through that hole, and you can actually get a torque wrench up in there, to ensure they are tightened down properly.

But I'm weird like that...

 

Through the barring tool hole? How the heck can that be.......

 

Its not a barring hope he's talking about. a tin access cover for reaching the flex plate bolts, just above the pan rail, on the right rear. Take the top bolt loose, take the bottom bolt loose, and the plate swings out of the way to allow access.

Just like...that