Mine did the same noise 2x in the last couple of weeks. 103K on original clutch. Its very sporadic, but I did have the tranny/diff oil changed at its last service 8 months ago at 95k. Yet, the noise started about 2 weeks ago. I was thinking more towards alternator starting to go, or perhaps water pump, but I'm no mechanic.

 

Is the throw out bearing really not spinning? I would figure it would.


Yes when it gets warm but it can still show up while the cars warm. It'll end up having short irregular whistles

Done that and the noise was still there.

I first thought it was something in the back but after chasing it a little more I realized it was coming from the point where the tranny and engine meet.

 

I would post the video also on renntech.org. The moderator is pretty good on diagnosing.

 

I think water pump.

 

But the noise would go away if the belt is removed. I tried one of the idler pulleys earlier and got shot down.

Rick
99 996C4
87 944S

 

Changed it.

I didn't shoot you down....I wrote that I removed the belt in the first post!
The only way help on here works is to keep posting possible symptoms. If I shot you down, I apologize. I appreciate your input.

 

Did you ever figure out the source of the noise?

 

No,(as I type this at the airport bar waiting for my flight!) I've been travelling and haven't taken the car out, except once where I went to get my no front plate violation corrected at the CHP. I'll probably change the tranny fluid out over Christmas. I'll keep you posted. I'm still researching types of oil, Swepco or Mobil?????.

My hearing for the speeding ticket is today too, fingers crossed! I hope it's going to be good news.

 

Well obviously it could be several things here, but one other consideration, and one which you probably do not want to hear about is, it could be the pinion bearing starting to give up.

This is pretty common as these are sealed units and do tend to go bad. They unfortunately require a complete teardown of the gearbox to replace this bearing, I would replace the other sealed unit on the main at the same time.

If it does seem like this might be the issue and you would like some help with this, please do not hesitate to contact me. These are pretty tricky gearboxes as the gears are pressed on with a 40 ton press. I hope that this is not it, but I thought I would share this possibility just the same.

Erik Johnson
GBox Performance Transaxles
(303) 440-8899 work
(303) 895-4828 cell

 

Great well it will give me something not to look forward too if it is. We'll know at spme point. If it fails will it become something that will grenade the tranny? Any way of checking if its that?

 

Don't worry, if you can hear the sound at idle it's not the pinion shaft bearing--the pinion (output) shaft only rotates when the car is in motion.

I'd still say your most likely culprit is the throw-out bearing. Can't really tell from the video but a throw-out bearing has that similar sort of noise, and goes away after a bit of driving. The part is $80 but would have similar labor times to replacing the clutch, if you take it to a shop may as well do the whole deal.

 

Any further on this one...

as a side note, mine took a year off...... and is back

couple days this week it was back, then gone again - mine is (IMO) exactly the same thing you have from the vid clip

Ed

 

I'm going to pull that tranny but I might wait since there's another car run in Feb that I want to go on and after some time the whistle disappears, so I'm betting that it'll take another 100 miles of abuse. OORRRRR I pull it this week end and see what's going on. I'm not a good planner when it comes to these things.

 

yea, I understand.... its easier to talk about than do....

then once done, you do get that satisfied feeling
FWIW - my has gone more than 100 miles

 

As the release bearing gets worse the clutch action will feel weird and it wears the bearing guide so you'll want a new one of those when you replace the bearing.

I can't say for sure but I don't think it will cause any serious failures if you ignore it for a while. I've heard of people driving around for a couple of years with constantly noisy release bearings, but an old Toyota is not a Porsche so take that with a grain of salt.