Just bought a 01 Prelude recently and it is making a weird sound. The first time you start the car up and release the clutch to get into gear (either 1st gear or reverse), I will hear a moaning, buzzing sound for about 2 seconds.

After that, no more sounds until the next time I turn off the car, and turn it back on. The clutch feels fine, the shifter feels fine. The car drives and shifts perfectly at all other times. There is no slipping at all. No other clutch sounds or chattering. No sounds when the car is in neutral or when I press the clutch or release the clutch.

It only happens when I first start the car and the first time I go into gear. Any ideas??? My mechanic friend is a bit stumped as well.

 

My first thought was fuel pump, is the car an auto or manual?

 

Manual. I'm not even sure if it's clutch-related...that's just when I hear the sound.

Another observation is my rear brake pads are worn down to 2mm. I plan on changing them in a few days. Do you think the sounds might be related to that?

 

Brakes shouldn't have anything to do with it, unless the abs pump is pumping air?

Check fluid in the brake master reservoir, and the abs reservoir to be sure.

Can you narrow down where the noise comes from?

 

ABS