I finally got fed up enough to do some investigating while I had the car cold in the driveway before winter hits and jacked the car up and started it.

checked exhaust...nope
put a tube to the transmission..nothing
with the car jacked up it seemed the noise moved up more towards the front of the car. looks like the harmonic balancer is wobbling slightly so I took the belt off and no play at all.


then I decided to spin the water pump pulley....SQUEEEEEEEEL just moving it by hand. think I found my culprit even though I have never had any leaks. is this squeal normal for the water pump or did I finally find the noise that has eluded me for 4 years now..

 

You found the noise...water pump is on its last legs. Replace it, but still confirm that nothing is rubbing on pulley?

 

There is nothing running on it. This noise has only gotten worse over the last 4 years and is terrible when is is cold outside and the car has sat overnight.

 

Have you had a chance to change the water pump yet? Did it fix the noise?

 

the water pump on my 4.0 does that. idk if its the same pump or not