I purchased my 2011 Dodge Caravan as new from the dealer. The van currently has about 28,000 miles on it. A few months ago I noticed a strange knocking noise that happened one cold morning. It almost sounded like someone putting some rocks in a metal bowl and shaking them around. This noise only lasted about 5 seconds and occurred directly after cranking the vehicle. This has happened about 2 times since in the past 4 months.

The above being said, I am now hearing a noise from the car primarily when cranking and especially when giving the car gas (both in park and while driving) I took the car to the dealer a couple of weeks ago, but at that point the noise was A LOT less noticeable. While there I mentioned to them about the exhaust cam phasers, but they told me it will ALWAYS throw the CEL. They also told me since there was no CEL then they couldn't do anything . Today, not even with the engine cold and the ambient air temp around 66 degrees I took the following video and posted in YouTube. ANY HELP on identifying the noise would be helpful. The noise in the video almost sounds like a squealing and is very noticeable when giving it gas....

 

The noise sound more like an exhaust leak. Have you had any engine work done?

 

Thanks master tech. No, I have had no engine work done to the vehicle.

 

don't sound like Cam Phaser noise at all.

It sound more like exhaust leak like Master Tech said, or something in the accessory drive. Probably just a bad pulley or belt. I think you should show your dealer this video so they know what they are looking for, and leave the car at the dealer for a day or 2.

They'll probably have to take off the belt, and start the engine, see if noise can be eliminated.

 

Turns out to be the harmonic balancer. It had actually started coming apart and i was told it also tore some cover off the side of the engine.

 

Wow and with under 30k miles...