2012 Chevy Sonic 1.4L 6-speed manual with 125k miles. In the past month or so its developed a squealing noise on the passenger side of the engine. No trouble codes so far and if I pull the dipstick the noise doesn't go away. Had a fresh valve cover and intake manifold put on last year so I don't think its either of those again. Up until now I thought it was the front crankshaft seal (crank pulley seal) but since it doesn't go away pulling the dipstick I don't know. Is this a squealing belt? Only happens when its hot, on a cold start its fine and only shows up after driving.
Squealing noise from passenger side of engine
- Thread starter Tinton3w
- Start date
slowion2
New member
If you pull the dipstick and it doesn't go away, it's been my experience that either the front main is shot, the valve cover diaphragm is hot, or both. I happened to do both and my tensioner since I was up there in miles around where you are now. Same symptoms too, only happened when hot out, and eventually it caused a stumble and misfire from a stop, and high in the rev range under full boost. It might not show a CEL, but you probably have pending codes in history on your ECU if you scan it.
I'll warn you now, the front main is a little bit of a pain to do, mainly because you need to brace the crank pulley and torque the TTY pulley bolt to 111lb-ft plus 60 degrees. For what it's worth, I got the 111lb-ft and maybe 30 degrees, but I see a lot of Cruze owners who just torque it and are good. Definitely buy the new bolt though, it's maybe 5 or 6 bucks, seal is all of 5 or 6 on Rockauto.com as well. Decent walkthru here: https://www.cruzetalk.com/threads/crankshaft-seal-replacement-write-up.199378/
I'll warn you now, the front main is a little bit of a pain to do, mainly because you need to brace the crank pulley and torque the TTY pulley bolt to 111lb-ft plus 60 degrees. For what it's worth, I got the 111lb-ft and maybe 30 degrees, but I see a lot of Cruze owners who just torque it and are good. Definitely buy the new bolt though, it's maybe 5 or 6 bucks, seal is all of 5 or 6 on Rockauto.com as well. Decent walkthru here: https://www.cruzetalk.com/threads/crankshaft-seal-replacement-write-up.199378/
I am also having this problem. It started two days ago. Sounds like its coming from the just under the valve cover on the left side of the engine. not above the water pump but to the right of that a short ways. New Valve cover as of 1.5 months ago. Fresh oil change. Valve train looked golden and clean, no sludge, no obvious visible damage. No cooling issues, temps all stable. No codes.
Here is a google drive link to a video of the problem. I am really trying to avoid going to the dealer over this one. anyone have any insight on this issue?
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1PsUYlhsvsQVPZBklCcBiNNk0P2IqNDPP/view?usp=sharing
Here is a google drive link to a video of the problem. I am really trying to avoid going to the dealer over this one. anyone have any insight on this issue?
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1PsUYlhsvsQVPZBklCcBiNNk0P2IqNDPP/view?usp=sharing
Found my problem. I have never. It was stupid simple.... I pulled the serpentine and ran the engine to pinpoint the noise source. Still squeaked without belt. I got curious because it sounded like it was coming from cylinder 2 area. Went to pull the spark, and turns out it was SUPER loose. I have never pulled the sparks on this car before, and it was looking quite blown out. Tomorrow i'm going to replace all of them and torque them to spec. What a super strange problem....
Tinton3w. try pulling your serpentine belt off. Just by the alternator and running the engine real quick. The tensioner is located just under the alternator and you will have to pull the bolt towards the front of the car. In my endless googling of my problem it seems the water pump likes to go on theses engines. Its located on the far passenger side of the engine and is serpentine driven. So if that's the source of your noise it would stop with serpentine removed. You will not be able to pull it completely as the engine mount will prevent that from happening. The good news, with the right tools, this is a somewhat simple job.
Here is a really good video that goes over the replacement process.
hope this helps!
Tinton3w. try pulling your serpentine belt off. Just by the alternator and running the engine real quick. The tensioner is located just under the alternator and you will have to pull the bolt towards the front of the car. In my endless googling of my problem it seems the water pump likes to go on theses engines. Its located on the far passenger side of the engine and is serpentine driven. So if that's the source of your noise it would stop with serpentine removed. You will not be able to pull it completely as the engine mount will prevent that from happening. The good news, with the right tools, this is a somewhat simple job.
Here is a really good video that goes over the replacement process.
hope this helps!
