OPDA Scream

[Ken Perkins]

watch this, see if it gives you any clues
after chasing a belt squeal and squeak, and much internet searching ...I bought a continental " ELITE" belt and my noises are gone. This belt is the old Goodyear gatorback..its supposed to be the best for slightly misaligned pulleys, although I could not prove any of mine were out of line.

 

[BuildBreakRepeat]

Okay! So I did a super in depth listen to the sound (all of the sudden today it won’t go away no matter how long I drive). And i don’t think it’s coming from the belt! It’s coming from the oil pump (OPDA) - I still have good pressure and changes it about 2,000 miles who but now the pump is screaming. Totally explains why I thought it was the alternator (they are really close). Really thankful I figured out what the sound was coming from - credit to y’all. But now I’m stuck with how to replace an oil pump and how bad is it to drive with it screaming even though I have good pressure? @Chris

 

[Chris]

Okay! So I did a super in depth listen to the sound (all of the sudden today it won’t go away no matter how long I drive). And i don’t think it’s coming from the belt! It’s coming from the oil pump - I still have good pressure and changes it about 2,000 miles who but now the pump is screaming. Totally explains why I thought it was the alternator (they are really close). Really thankful I figured out what the sound was coming from - credit to y’all. But now I’m stuck with how to replace an oil pump and how bad is it to drive with it screaming even though I have good pressure? @Chris

I'd stop driving immediately. The moment that oil pump fails, boom goes your engine.

I've never replaced one before, but once you get the pre-cats off, it's not hard. You just drop the oil pan and it's right there.

The procedure is detailed in the FSM which you can download for free here:
Jeep Wrangler TJ Factory Service Manuals (FSM) & Technical Documentation

 

[Chris]

Okay! So I did a super in depth listen to the sound (all of the sudden today it won’t go away no matter how long I drive). And i don’t think it’s coming from the belt! It’s coming from the oil pump - I still have good pressure and changes it about 2,000 miles who but now the pump is screaming. Totally explains why I thought it was the alternator (they are really close). Really thankful I figured out what the sound was coming from - credit to y’all. But now I’m stuck with how to replace an oil pump and how bad is it to drive with it screaming even though I have good pressure? @Chris

Wait, wait, wait... yours is an 05, right?

If so, I doubt it's your oil pump, it's your OPDA!

Check this out: How to change your OPDA

I'd bet money that's what it is. They are notorious for making this noise when they go out, and this is an issue with the 05s.

Don't drive it at all until you fix it, period. You will blow up your engine, no question about it.

That thread has all the information you need. It's very easy to replace (which is detailed in that thread).

 

[BuildBreakRepeat]

Wait, wait, wait... yours is an 05, right?

If so, I doubt it's your oil pump, it's your OPDA!

Check this out: How to change your OPDA

I'd bet money that's what it is. They are notorious for making this noise when they go out, and this is an issue with the 05s.

Don't drive it at all until you fix it, period. You will blow up your engine, no question about it.

That thread has all the information you need. It's very easy to replace (which is detailed in that thread).

Yep that’s exactly what mine looks like - it’s a 2006 but pretty much the same! Son of a ***** I’ll have to bum a ride from my buddy or get around to fixing up the truck. I’ve heard it’s a super common issue in my deep dive to diagnose the problem. I’m just surprised I didn’t see a change in oil pressure at all? Is that just a looming failure? I won’t drive it all until I throw a new one in. Well, at least we figured it out....just empty every pocket aka my savings

 

[Chris]

Yep that’s exactly what mine looks like - it’s a 2006 but pretty much the same! Son of a ***** I’ll have to bum a ride from my buddy or get around to fixing up the truck. I’ve heard it’s a super common issue in my deep dive to diagnose the problem. I’m just surprised I didn’t see a change in oil pressure at all? Is that just a looming failure? I won’t drive it all until I throw a new one in. Well, at least we figured it out....just empty every pocket aka my savings

I don't know if it's super common (I've owned two 2005 models and neither of mine did it), but it was an issue on 05-06 models enough so that they had a TSB back when they were newer. The replacement part (which is in that thread) is around $90, and it takes less than an hour to change (very easy).

What will happen if you keep driving it is the shaft on the end of the OPDA will eventually explode and shatter into your engine (leaving metal pieces everywhere) and the gear on your camshaft will be damaged, not to mention your engine will lose oil pressure. It will be catastrophic and destroy the entire engine from what I've seen.

Hopefully yours isn't bad enough that it's already worn the cam gear with it, otherwise you'll have to replace that at well, which involves taking the engine apart I'm pretty sure.

They call this the "barrel of monkeys" when it starts whining like that. Or sometimes people call it "angry sparrows".

 

[BuildBreakRepeat]

I don't know if it's super common (I've owned two 2005 models and neither of mine did it), but it was an issue on 05-06 models enough so that they had a TSB back when they were newer. The replacement part (which is in that thread) is around $90, and it takes less than an hour to change (very easy).

What will happen if you keep driving it is the shaft on the end of the OPDA will eventually explode and shatter into your engine (leaving metal pieces everywhere) and the gear on your camshaft will be damaged, not to mention your engine will lose oil pressure. It will be catastrophic and destroy the entire engine from what I've seen.

Hopefully yours isn't bad enough that it's already worn the cam gear with it, otherwise you'll have to replace that at well, which involves taking the engine apart I'm pretty sure.

They call this the "barrel of monkeys" when it starts whining like that. Or sometimes people call it "angry sparrows".

Okay just ordered the part - I’ll read up on the install forum and get it done! Thank you for saving my jeep's engine lol it’s a good thing it didn’t go for too long

 

[Chris]

Okay just ordered the part - I’ll read up on the install forum and get it done! Thank you for saving my jeep's engine lol it’s a good thing it didn’t go for too long

No problem. Glad you figured it out before it was too late!

Keep us posted how it goes!

 

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Alright I’ve got a lot of pieces for this replacement taken off to make it easy once the crown part arrives. Just to clarify the engine rotates clockwise when looking from the front correct? As in I turn the pulley clockwise to reach TDC if I’m staring at the Jeep from the front?

 

[JeepZilla380]

Yes, you have to rotate it clockwise.

Did you try removing your belt and starting the engine to see if the sound goes away. I could swear I had an OPDA issue on my 05, it would squeal momentarily when the motor was cold (after sitting all night). When I removed the belt, I couldn't recreate the noise over the several mornings I tried back in Nov/Dec. Still trying to find which belt accessory is causing my noise. Here is what I hear on startup:

 

[BuildBreakRepeat]

Yes, you have to rotate it clockwise.

Did you try removing your belt and starting the engine to see if the sound goes away. I could swear I had an OPDA issue on my 05, it would squeal momentarily when the motor was cold (after sitting all night). When I removed the belt, I couldn't recreate the noise over the several mornings I tried back in Nov/Dec. Still trying to find which belt accessory is causing my noise. Here is what I hear on startup:

Okay I have my belt off so I’ll give it a little bit of run time to see if the noise is there. That would be amazing if it wasn’t OPDA (last thing I need is a new camshaft). But I have the new one ordered anyways to prevent future failure. Can’t hurt! Thank you for the insight my sound is very similar to yours so I’ll see if it goes away with the belt off.

 

[JeepZilla380]

Replacing the OPDA on a 05/06 is always a good idea. Just make sure you use the original sensor with the new Crown OPDA.

Let me know if you find the sound. I've replaced the tensioner pulley and idle pulley one mine. With the belt off most of mine spin pretty good as well, without alot of noise. my next step is to get an automotive stethoscope and listen carefully while its running.

 

[BuildBreakRepeat]

Replacing the OPDA on a 05/06 is always a good idea. Just make sure you use the original sensor with the new Crown OPDA.

Let me know if you find the sound. I've replaced the tensioner pulley and idle pulley one mine. With the belt off most of mine spin pretty good as well, without alot of noise. my next step is to get an automotive stethoscope and listen carefully while its running.

Got it. Sounds like If i start it and no noise comes from the engine (I’ll do it in the morning when it’s the worst) then we are in the same boat. Part of me hopes it’s the OPDA and I can drop in the new part, part of me hopes it’s the same as yours and I haven’t damaged anything important. I’ll get back to y’all on what I find in the morning!

 

[BuildBreakRepeat]

Replacing the OPDA on a 05/06 is always a good idea. Just make sure you use the original sensor with the new Crown OPDA.

Let me know if you find the sound. I've replaced the tensioner pulley and idle pulley one mine. With the belt off most of mine spin pretty good as well, without alot of noise. my next step is to get an automotive stethoscope and listen carefully while its running.

Okay, so I started it this morning when it was 28 degrees for about 10 seconds (don’t like it running without the belt) and I didn’t hear any of the usually screaming....so not OPDA? I’m gonna go ahead and throw it in this weekend as I already ordered it and it still have the original poor design in. Shoot I’m in the same boat as you...maybe alternator bearing?

 

[JeepZilla380]

Okay, so I started it this morning when it was 28 degrees for about 10 seconds (don’t like it running without the belt) and I didn’t hear any of the usually screaming....so not OPDA? I’m gonna go ahead and throw it in this weekend as I already ordered it and it still have the original poor design in. Shoot I’m in the same boat as you...maybe alternator bearing?

Or luck of the draw and its didnt scream. Does it usually make a ton of noise first start of the am in the cold? Thats my condition. Bet I could go down to the garage now and fire her up and get that noise right now. But if I remove the belt, nada.

Pulling your OPDA and checking for wear is a good thing to do on a 05/06. I might have accidentally jumped the gun on my 2nd Crown OPDA, but that just means I have a good spare now if needed.

 

[BuildBreakRepeat]

Or luck of the draw and its didnt scream. Does it usually make a ton of noise first start of the am in the cold? Thats my condition. Bet I could go down to the garage now and fire her up and get that noise right now. But if I remove the belt, nada.

Pulling your OPDA and checking for wear is a good thing to do on a 05/06. I might have accidentally jumped the gun on my 2nd Crown OPDA, but that just means I have a good spare now if needed.

Mine has the exact same symptoms as yours, I watched your vid and the sound is similar too - mines just a lot louder and nerve racking lol. Every single morning since it started I’ve fired the Jeep up at 0500 for work/army PT and it’s screamed without fail. Then this morning for the first time I got nothing. Could be lucky or random chance that it didn’t. But after I throw in the new OPDA I’ll see how it sounds. If that doesn’t fix it then who knows.

 

[JeepZilla380]

Well this thread renewed my interest in finding the actual cause, and the fact that work is forcing me back into an office more often. So Ill be hunting here on my side too!

 

[BuildBreakRepeat]

Okay everyone...it was the OPDA. Pulled the cover off the OPDA, here you can see shaving present from the upper bushing seizing up due to the oem terrible design....should be illegal for them not to recall all of them. After I then placed an Allen wrench in alignment hole to ensure the engine stays at top dead center - cranking the balancer until the holes lined up. I then removed the retaining bolt and the OPDA slid right out. THANK THE LORD the camshaft doesn’t show any wear while the gears on the opda are slightly worn. Camshaft seems to be doing okay. Hard to rotate the assembly by hand once it’s out because of the seized bushing and it makes the same exact screaming sound I had heard every time I started it up by rotating it in my hand.

 

[Chris]

You caught it just in time! You're lucky the camshaft doesn't show any signs of wear, as that involves taking the engine apart.

It's weird how this works. I've had two 2005s, and neither of them ever did this, yet some people get it. It's just hit and miss really. I always keep a spare around though just incase.

 

[BuildBreakRepeat]

You caught it just in time! You're lucky the camshaft doesn't show any signs of wear, as that involves taking the engine apart.

It's weird how this works. I've had two 2005s, and neither of them ever did this, yet some people get it. It's just hit and miss really. I always keep a spare around though just incase.

Probably a wise thing to do! Honestly a massive relief that the cam gear wasn’t worn...I’ve done cams, heads, lifters and all of that on my 1968 F250 camper special 5.7L V8 (my daily driver while this project is underway) and I would never wish the pain it was to replace a cam on anyone. crossing my fingers installing the new one tomorrow. I’ll keep y’all updated.