BSM139

I've started to hear some strange noises come from my car (no it's not the VTEC kicking in :LOL ).

Background
MY00 car, one owner from new, never been tracked, fed only with 97Ron or higher.
Has had 8 annual services, all in September with Honda dealer.
Mileage is 34K
No engine mods except K&N filter.
All recall work done, and clutch is a '55' clutch.

Noise
Easiest way to describe it is like a metallic whining / clackety sound, faint but definitely there.
You can hear it only in gears 2, 4 & 6.
You can't hear it in 1, 3 or 5.
Don't know about reverse, as I've only just thought of it !
Press the clutch, and freewheel, the noise disappears.
Engage 2, 4 or 6, noise appears, engage 1,3 or 5, it disappears.
You can't really hear it at very low revs (2-2.5K), but as you go up the rev range, it becomes more pronounced. After VTEC, it gets more difficult, because of the noise from the exhaust.

Any thoughts anyone ?
Is it clutch, or gearbox, or do I have to visit the Dealer (& big bills).

Sorry for the poor description, but it's the best I can do at the moment. Can't get any sound clips at the moment because, I'm not sure you'll be able to hear it.

Thanks
Bharat

aldfort

What happens if you keep hold (lightly) of the gearshift?

Nick Graves

IIRC, very early cars (like Bharat's) did have an issue with the ball detents on the gear selectors. It was a fairly simple fix, but I thought they'd all been done in the first year.

Aldfort's right; try moving the lever around its freeplay, to see what happens.

If you can make it go away, it's probably the selectors.

Worst case is a second hand box, but if it's just springs & balls, it's easy.

RISLAR

Could also be the Synchromesh!! its a mine field without seeing and hearing it at hand!

BSM139

Thanks for the info - will check it out at the weekend & post findings.

Why does it make the noise in 2,4 & 6, but not in 1,3 & 5 ??

Is there more than one synchromesh ? or am I missing something really obvious ??

Bharat

Nick Graves

Bharat,

If it's all the 'back' gears, I think it's unlikely to be your balls, more likely your knob!

There have been cases where the gear lever unscrews from the box, usually indicated by a floppy change.

If you take off the centre console, you'll find there are three bolts that hold the gear lever flange into the box. Check they are secure.

BSM139

Makes no difference at all.

Bharat

BSM139

Nick,

I'll try & check that very soon.

Failing that, I'll visit my mechanic and see what he has to say.

Gear change is still as tight and precise as ever, not floppy at all

Will keep you all informed.

Thanks.
Bharat

atomcrusher

This symptom sounds like the thrust bearing is shot

aldfort

Yes -except it should be true in all gears if that was the case.

The thing that's common about gear 2,4, and 6 being engaged is that the shift rod is pushed forward.
This rod moves in a tube that's sealed with o rings at either end it sits between the main box and the rear extension.

The other end of the shift rod engages the shift lever assembly in the guts of the gear box. It's entirely possible that one or more bits of this assembly are chattering when in contact with each other.

So if it's not loose knob syndrome as suggested by BSM 139 then it's probably something in the guts of the gearbox which is not the easiest thing to take out.

I'd spend time on all the cheap and easy to look at things first.