Whine noise in neutral and other gears

[Radix Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Radix]

There is quite a bit of a whine coming from underneath the car, when the engine is spinning in neutral. The pitch varies with engine idling speed, and when I depress the clutch pedal, you can hear it winding down and disappear. Also when driving I think I can hear the noise amidst all other driving noises.

Makes me think it is something either clutch or gearbox related. The clutch was just replaced, so gearbox has been out and back in again. Any thoughts on what the noise could be? Is it bad?

[Brett1979 Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Brett1979]

Without knowing exactly what the noise sounds like, I guess one process of elimination would be to check your power steering, air con and alternator drive belt tension. If they're a bit loose (have a bit of slack) they whine and change sound pitch according to the revs typically during idle and make your car sound like something's seriously wrong. But that wouldn't be related to the sound disappearing when the clutch pedal is pressed in I wouldn't think. Which would also eliminate what else I thought it may have been which was idler & tensioner pulley bearings being on their way out (some of what the timing belt wraps around). The drive belts would also squeal upon start-up if they were loose though. Just thinking out aloud. I hope it's nothing serious or time consuming to fix.

[Rusty62 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Rusty62]

I too have a whine coming from the passengers seat. Only audible when i have passengers.


LOL.

If the whine disappears with clutch depressed it will be in the gearbox. Try with transfer case in neutral and main box in gear (s).
Also try when hot. Could be just gear noise.

[Radix Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Radix]

Try with transfer case in neutral and main box in gear (s).
Also try when hot. Could be just gear noise.

Whining passengers.

Yes, tried with transfer case in neutral, and gearbox in gear. Makes no difference, whine audible just the same. Hot or cold doesn't seem to make a difference either.

Would renewing the gearbox oil make any difference? I don't believe it has ever been changed over >250,000km.