Grinding gravely noise on start up 4.7

[swapmeet]

I used the search, but I can't seem to find the info I need even though I know it exists.

Went off-roading yesterday. Water up to the top of the bumper. Some mud.
Dust. Etc etc.

This morning, it's cold (30's) and when I crank it over the first 3 seconds of cranking it sounds like there are rocks in the mix or some awful grinding noise. It's new, it sounds bad. It does it even after the truck has warmed up. After those 2-5 seconds of bad noise, it sounds normal.

I can't find it now, but I thought I found a thread where [MENTION=66389]BlackWorksInc[/MENTION] suggested this might be caused by a bearing.

I'm basically looking for confirmation from the tribe before I go out and buy parts and blindly replace them.

Thanks in advance.

 

[BlackWorksInc]

I would try to spray the front of the engine down and the pulleys as best as possible and see if that changes the sound. Another thing you can do is take the belt off and see if that changes the sound.

From what I understand the pulley bearings are not all sealed so they can get contaminants in them if you ford too deep.

 

[28.]

I would try to spray the front of the engine down and the pulleys as best as possible and see if that changes the sound. Another thing you can do is take the belt off and see if that changes the sound.

From what I understand the pulley bearings are not all sealed so they can get contaminants in them if you ford too deep.

^^^This...
The mud/water might of froze up around your fan, pullies, ect..