Help Needed - 1.8 ltr. Squealing

[Ezzie]

Hello all, just new to the forum - I am in need of some help. I recently bought a 1998 Sidekick Sport with auto for my wife to use as a grocery getter. It's got the 1.8 ltr. engine and has a lot of k's on it (around 290,000). When we got it I noticed a squeal under load that sounded just like a slipping belt. I replaced the serpentine belt with a Goodyear Gatorback but it didn't make any difference. I then checked all the bearings/pulleys and noticed the bearing in the tensioner was a bit noisy so I replaced that with a new one. Still no change. It only squeals under load when accelerating going up a hill, etc. If your cruising along and back off, the engine goes quiet.

I suspect the noise is coming from somewhere further back toward the rear of the motor. Is there some sort of thrust bearing in the torque converter area or could it be a worn cam or something in the top end?? I have noticed quite a bit of cam chain noise but I suspect that is just due to the kms. on this motor. Any ideas??

[jtgh]

we'd only be wildly guessing.

i vote for rat stuck above catcon.

sorry !

[enhanced08]

mine makes a similar noise. its not quite a squeal but something high pitched. it only makes the noise when you have your foot on the gas, even just a little. as soon as you let off it stops and the pitch of the noise changes with speed. my dad says he thinks its a bearring in the tranny (5 speed) thats bad. maybe this could be your problem as well?