I have a 2008 Jeep Patriot with 226,000 kms/ 140,000 miles. Everything is working fine and there are no engine codes But under the hood has gotten louder.
https://youtube.com/shorts/ZFQtf9uoO08?feature=share Video of sound with the hood open
https://youtube.com/shorts/Oll4JueEoiA?feature=share Video of sound from inside car
recent preventive maintenance has included: spark plug (195,000 kms/ July 2019), idler pulley and alternator (219,000 kms/ January 2022), drive belt and pulleys (199,000 kms/ February 2020) - battery is old (2016 but works fine and I don’t see contributing to noise)
Any recommendations to prolong the life (outside of regular maintenance and driving it nicely)?
This showing that it’s at the end of its life and time to start looking for a new car or could I expect to drive for years this way?
Thanks for any feedback
A failing bearing can still be the issue. But I would be inclined to suspect a belt driven device like power steering, air conditioner compressor, water pump, alternator or idler pulleys.
A way to isolate which bearing it could be when the engine is off is to remove the serpentine belt and spin each pulley and listen and feel for grinding.
A mechanics stethescope is another tool you could use. It looks like the medical type except with a tube on the end to isolate sounds to a small area while the engine is running. Carefully sample sounds near each moving part to find the source of the noise. I wish you success.
Everything is working fine and there are no engine codes
Then just keep driving it. If it’s just loud (and not abnormally loud), who cares?! It’s an old vehicle which still runs fine..
I do plan on continuing to drive it, however it does matter how long it will last. For my employment I do require reliable transportation for commuting as public transit is not an option.
If my car had a breakdown and I was unable to get to work it would be problematic. I would be expected to have it rectified by the next day without further issues in the future.
In that case, have it checked out by a professional mechanic. Also, it might be wise to start looking for a suitable replacement (if you can find something within budget), since it a Jeep after all.. Or maybe a cheap beater Civic/Corolla with the Patriot as a weekend toy.
See FAQ for noises
Unfortunately not helpful
did you watch the Scotty video "how to fix rattling engine noise" where he uses a big screwdriver?
If so is there a rough timeline I could expect it to last (6 months? 6 years?) or no clue?
No way to tell. If it really is bad bearings the engine could crater at any time - probably sooner than later. Best to have a good local mechanic check it out.
With bad bearings the noise would usually become more pronounced when the engine is placed under heavy load. Of course doing that can also accelerate engine failure.
It isn’t worse under load, the sound doesn’t change if idling, driving routinely or under load
That indicates it may well be something else, but you really should get it looked at by a good independent mechanic. There's only so much we can do from a distance without having the vehicle accessible to us.
I would check the engine bearings- they may be worn out.
The only way to "check" them is to pull out the engine and tear it down. At that point, you will be paying somebody close to the value of the vehicle.
I can do maintenance but that level of repair is beyond me. Thanks though
Is there other possibilities or is it most likely engine bearings?
If so is there a rough timeline I could expect it to last (6 months? 6 years?) or no clue? Love to hear how critical this is since the used car market is crazy and new cars have wait lists