Gear Whine when on throttle, gone when in neutral
#1
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Ok so let me start out by sating I have a 1993 1.6 5 speed. Im pretty sure it still has the 1.6 diff with VLSD (which still works surprisingly decent). At least im pretty sure its the 1.6 diff, it has the fins and funny looking ears on the halfshaft flanges but not rubber isolator on the driveshaft. I got the car about mid August and absolutely love it. However it has had a gear whine since i took ownership. It hasn't really bothered me seeing as how it doesn't affect driveability but as I've been fixing everything else on the car I've come back to the whine.
To give you a description it isn't noticeable until about 25 mph and is present in gears 3-5. The noise changes pitch as I accelerate and almost sounds like a turbo spooling up which wouldn't be an issue if it was actually a turbo spooling! But anyways whenever I push the clutch in or take it out of gear the noise is gone. And the noice seems to get louder if i get on the gas. For example if im cruising the interstate at a steady 70mph, its there but not too loud. HOwever if I get on it it gets louder. Now I know the 1.6 diff is not known for its strength but it sounds to me like it is coming from the transmission since the noise is only present when in gear. Also the previous owner said the clutch had just been replaced before I got it. It seems to engage smoothly and without incident but could the problem lay in a botched install job? In addition the diff and tranny both have fluid. I haven't checked the driveshaft and ujoint so can't rule them out, but honestly don't know what i'd be looking for anyways.
I've tried to include all the details I could for an accurate diagnosis. Perhaps someone on here has had the same issues.
To give you a description it isn't noticeable until about 25 mph and is present in gears 3-5. The noise changes pitch as I accelerate and almost sounds like a turbo spooling up which wouldn't be an issue if it was actually a turbo spooling! But anyways whenever I push the clutch in or take it out of gear the noise is gone. And the noice seems to get louder if i get on the gas. For example if im cruising the interstate at a steady 70mph, its there but not too loud. HOwever if I get on it it gets louder. Now I know the 1.6 diff is not known for its strength but it sounds to me like it is coming from the transmission since the noise is only present when in gear. Also the previous owner said the clutch had just been replaced before I got it. It seems to engage smoothly and without incident but could the problem lay in a botched install job? In addition the diff and tranny both have fluid. I haven't checked the driveshaft and ujoint so can't rule them out, but honestly don't know what i'd be looking for anyways.
I've tried to include all the details I could for an accurate diagnosis. Perhaps someone on here has had the same issues.
#4
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All gear whine is going to sound like its coming from the transmission, whether its the transmission or the diff. I had a girl ride in my trunk once (long story), and she said it was loud as **** in there. If it was the diff, the noise would be present under the same conditions, just because it does it in gear doesn't necessarily mean it can only be the transmission.
I'd check the diff/trans fluid for anything odd looking, this sounds a bit more severe than the average gear whine, I've never had it under acceleration, only on decel.
I'd check the diff/trans fluid for anything odd looking, this sounds a bit more severe than the average gear whine, I've never had it under acceleration, only on decel.
#9
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If you do a search on the tranny whine you should find a few threads about it. Mine has done it for quite some time now. Some say its what it does before it breaks.
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#10
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I've gone out longboarding with my buddy and his girl before, both in the passenger seat. I wouldn't feel safe putting someone in the trunk, esp a chick. You may be the best driver in the world, but you get rear ended by the right car/truck/suv and that could end up ugly.
If you do a search on the tranny whine you should find a few threads about it. Mine has done it for quite some time now. Some say its what it does before it breaks.![Dunno](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/smilies/dunno.gif)
If you do a search on the tranny whine you should find a few threads about it. Mine has done it for quite some time now. Some say its what it does before it breaks.
![Dunno](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/smilies/dunno.gif)
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#11
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1/4mile? She didn't have legs? That's why she was so tiny? ![facepalm](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/smilies/facepalm.gif)
For some reason, the Miata wears out shifter boots pretty fast. It is very common that they are worn to shread on older cars. The result of this isn't anything that damages the car, but it does let noise and heat from the tranny into the cabin. The shifter turret is supposed to be filled with oil, which are often missing if the boots are gone.
It is an easy fix. Lift the center consol and have a look.
![facepalm](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/smilies/facepalm.gif)
For some reason, the Miata wears out shifter boots pretty fast. It is very common that they are worn to shread on older cars. The result of this isn't anything that damages the car, but it does let noise and heat from the tranny into the cabin. The shifter turret is supposed to be filled with oil, which are often missing if the boots are gone.
It is an easy fix. Lift the center consol and have a look.
#14
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For some reason, the Miata wears out shifter boots pretty fast. It is very common that they are worn to shread on older cars. The result of this isn't anything that damages the car, but it does let noise and heat from the tranny into the cabin. The shifter turret is supposed to be filled with oil, which are often missing if the boots are gone.
It is an easy fix. Lift the center consol and have a look.
It is an easy fix. Lift the center consol and have a look.
#18
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Damn, really not what I wanted to hear
. I was hoping it wasn't nearly as bad as it sounds..The thing is theres no vibration or grinding, clunking or hard shifting. I can shift into all gears smoothly without a problem. Well if worse comes to worse is there an oem upgrade? Is the 6 speed a stronger option or would I be better sticking to the 5 speed?
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#19
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