Hi I have the YTH2348, the problem i'm having is i'm getting a bearing sounding squeal when i have the blade clutch engaged. I noticed before it starts to squeal I'll hear a like loud click and then the squeal. I have hit all my zerk fittings with grease with no change. Any and all help is greatly appreciated.

Most bad bearings don't make a noticeable noise until they are operated at a higher rpm. Probably why when you unplug it you don't hear it and then when you plug it back in and the fan clutch engages you hear it again

Bearing noises in a clutch system are easily distinguished by running a few simple tests. Start the engine and leave the transmission in neutral. If a transmission makes noise when it is in neutral it is often a worn input shaft bearing. Now depress the pedal until the clutch just engages. This is the point where the release bearing is just contacting the pressure plate fingers. If you begin to hear a squealing sound this is likely a worn release bearing. If a whirling noise is present when the clutch pedal is fully depressed it is probably the pilot bearing.

Sound like you're going to need a whole new clutch assembly, but if the fluid level was dry you may have sucked air into the system which means that the clutch will have to be bled at the slave cylinder, just like you would brakes. The squealing sound is coming from the throw out bearing, usually when the do that it means that the bearing is frozen and cannot spin. Either way it looks like you'll be dropping the transmission to work on the clutch.

yes hydrailic and no will not affect engine. Engine problem is just more noticed when transmission not engaged.
Squealing is probably pilot bearing--not a big deal.
Tapping--maybe lifters pumping up
Engine light--get car scanned and report trouble codes back to us.
Autozone and Advance, among other parts stores, offer free scans.

it is the throw out bearing and if you go through that,you may as well replace the clutch,which must be removed to replace the bearing anyway.the clutch comes with a new bearing.

more likely if the clutch is out and its squeals, more likely it will be throw out bearing which engage and dis engage on the pressure plate. the bearing is constantly spinning along with the pressure plate and the pad itself. any good mechanics can tell you what and were the squeal sound coming from by listening to it and sound and not cost you anything.

The mower engages by an electronic clutch. If it doesn't squeal/smoke/start the mower deck when you try to engage the mower, then the electronic clutch is faulty (you may have sent shrapnel into the clutch), or the belt is cut or damaged enough not to drive the deck. If this problem is indeed associated with the mowing metal problem then you need to visually check under the engine - that's where the electronic clutch that drives the mowerdeck is located. You'll notice that there is a drive belt that goes from the engine to the mowerdeck. That's your drive belt. You should loosen the belt and check the mower deck to see if you can rotate the drive pulley and in turn this rotates the blades (of course you do this with the engine off). That would determine if it's the deck or the clutch that has issues. Your instruction manual will show you how to loosen the belt then try to spin the mower deck drive pulley. If it spins by hand then look back toward the clutch. If the deck doesn't rotate then it needs to be removed so you can flip it belly up to see what's hindering the movement. These decks clog easily, but if clogged when you try to engage the mower deck it will squeal. They're easy to remove (if you have some kind of overhead lift - if not they can be a pain). Good luck

No permanent solution, but you probably can get by once by "riding" the clutch engagement lever - pushing it only part way forward and holding onto it.

Well, most riding mowers have a "pully idler", meaning once you have the belt on there (and it is the RIGHT size), the idler automatically gives the belt tension when you engage it (in fact, the idler pully is what IS engaged when you engage the belly mower).

Couple things to check (super simple):

The Belt. Look to see if she is wore smooth out.
Sometimes....they WILL stretch on you, instead of busting/coming apart, and give you noise (when she is engaged, but wore out enough to flop around a little)

The Deck Blade Bearings. Straight away, that is what it sounds like, or bent blades.

Check your Blade Bearings (super simple):
1. Pick up your deck to the highest high setting (mower off, just sitting).
2. Reach under, and grab your mower blade (do this for both sides), and TILT your blade UP (meaning, don't LIFT the blade straight up).
Seriously, jiggle it at a TILT. If you feel some slack in the bearing, the bearing IS shot. Straight up and down is most of the time OK, IF it is VERY little play on your blade bearings. As you do it, look at your belt pulley directly on top, if you see that pully bobbing....

However, if you grab one side of the blade only, then tilt the blade up, and she moves.....
Bearings need replaced, both the upper AND lower bearings PER blade.

They are not hard to replace, and not expensive either! (Though unfortunately, most are "sealed" junk nowadays!)

Bad Bearings show up (make themselves known) in only a few ways: Tons of Noise (grinding, squealing) & Vibration.

Go check them thar Bearings!

Hello;
The throw out bearing is going oout. The reason you hear the squeal when you push in the clutch is that is when the throw out bearing spins up. Rest of the time it does not spin.It is irratating, You should replace the entire clutch assembly when you replace the throw out bearing. Hope this helps, rate me high.
Thanks;
Rich
RPM Northwest