Scraping noise when accelerating

[yamaha189]

Sorry if this is in the wrong area.

I have a 2003 1500 4.7L with 117,*** miles on it. Recently the check engine light came on. Sometimes when I just get gas and dont get the cap on tight it will throw the check engine light, but will go off in a day or so after re-tightening. I thought that was the issue, but the engine light has been on for about a week or so.

More recently within the last day and a half, I have noticed a scraping/grinding noise when on the accelerator. The noise is present when the engine is hot and cold. I'm not very mechanically inclined, but tried a few things I knew. I checked the oil and it was low and I was due for an oil change anyway so I went ahead and changed the oil. When I changed it, the amount of oil that came out was about 2 quarts less than what it usually is. I finished the oil change and drove it with it not fixing the problem. Next, thinking it could have been a wheel/bearing issue I put the truck in neutral and revved it up a little bit. The noise was still present.

Honestly, I'm afraid of what it could be. I'm not sure where to go from here. I guess I'll take it somewhere and have the code checked on the engine light. I'm hesitant to drive it to much though.

Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks.

 

[usaf2006]

I'm no mechanic, but if it comes and goes with RPMs, I'd check the pulleys for the serpentine belt. One could be going, causing the noise. Just my guess

 

[yamaha189]

I'm no mechanic, but if it comes and goes with RPMs, I'd check the pulleys for the serpentine belt. One could be going, causing the noise. Just my guess

I do believe it gets worse the higher the rpms. I've tried not to get on it to hard though in case it is something internally.

 

[hotkarl]

Check the heat shield on the cat.

 

[yamaha189]

Check the heat shield on the cat.

Check it for just being loose?

 

[usaf2006]

That would be what he means, but that would be more of a rattling noise imo.

 

[RonJon '06]

If the check engine light is on there should be a diagnostic trouble code. To get the code you can turn the key on-off, on-off, on without starting the engine and it will show up on the odometer display. Sounds like it could be the belt, pulley, or one of the accessories but they wouldn't throw a code and cause the check engine light.

 

[yamaha189]

If the check engine light is on there should be a diagnostic trouble code. To get the code you can turn the key on-off, on-off, on without starting the engine and it will show up on the odometer display. Sounds like it could be the belt, pulley, or one of the accessories but they wouldn't throw a code and cause the check engine light.

Thanks. I'll go out and try that.

 

[JAMMAN]

CEL and noise are probably not related but still a problem.

If it makes the noise in neutral also when accelerating....
The idler pulley uses cheap bearings and is more than likely the issue with the noise though it could be the AC idler bearing or even the power steering pump bearing.

I would take the belt off and try to turn the idler pulley by hand. It should be ultra smooth and you shouldn't be able to feel grinding or hear anything. You can spin the AC pulley while the belt is off also.

If it only does it in gear when driving then it could be a host of things between the back of the motor and any one of the 4 wheels. Too many to guess, have it looked at.