Using mechanics stethoscope

[Traveler74]

On another thread, someone suggested that I buy a mechanics stethoscope to help diagnose a noise coming from my engine. I looked on youtube and I watched several videos. They both said that it takes a certain amount of experience to use one. I don't mind buying one but not if I would have no idea of what I'm hearing.
Currently, the noise SEEMS to be coming from the front of the engine, but it's very hard to pinpoint.
Any thoughts on this subject would be greatly appreciated, especially from those who have much experience using one.

 

[itskohler]

You can use a long screwdriver and accomplish the same thing, sorta. Put the head where you think the noise is coming from then put your ear against the butt of the handle. Only had to do it once on an old cb500 I was bratting out, took some fiddling but it worked for me.

 

[TimGFL]

+1 for a long screwdriver, or even a long socket extension bar. I used that method to track down a sticky injector before.

 

[pelantire]

I use my stethoscope surprisingly often. When I buy a new vehicle I just go around listening to various components so that when I inevitably hear something gross I know what things "should" sound like.

Most recently I had a cylinder not firing on my 88' 4Runner, it was getting spark, compression was ok, so I put my stethoscope on the injectors and sure enough it was clicking faintly - much quieter than my other injectors. New injectors on the way!