Chrysler Repair: Chrysler 2004 Town & Country Touring, smog station, wheel bearing

Question
Hi Roland, I have a 2004 T&C 3.8L with 145,000 miles. Overall the van runs great but lately while idling, accelerating slowly or driving at low speed where I can hear the engine, it sounds like a deep growling/whirling almost knocking sound from the engine. Power steering is new, air conditioning is off, all belts fine, no leaks. I get 23 miles to the gallon and little oil consumption.  If I didn’t know better it sounds like the bottom end. Could the crank bearings going or just some gaskets need to be replaced?

Answer
Hi Attila,
I am not very experienced in diagnosis by sounds. The only idea I have would be to go to a local smog station where they have a dynomometer set up where you can operate the vehicle on a stationary treadmill sort of device and listen and look while the vehicle is not in motion. It could also be a wheel bearing or a cv-joint so don't overlook the rest of the powertrain, particularly if the sound varies when you turn the steering wheel.
Roland