Alternating grinding noise after sitting for 6 months

[ricardoguitars]

Hello everyone,

After sitting for 6 months I took for a spin my 1995 Ranger XL 2.3 manual transmission, after a few miles this alternating grinding noise came up, it seems to be louder near the valve cover area. The oil is at level, it is not overheating, no error codes so far.

Any idea what could be the issue?.

Thanks.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

I'm not sure. You might be able to isolate the noise with a short (4 or 5') length of garden hose acting like a stethoscope.

 

[Curious Hound]

A long screwdriver also works as a stethoscope.

I think I would remove the accessory belt and rotate things by hand to feel for a bad bearing. Try to move pulleys side to side, up and down, in and out to feel for play. Try to put side loading on them while rotating. You might feel the grinding.

Also, look at the back of the alternator. I once had the rear alternator bearing start to walk out of it's hole in the housing.