Car: 96 EX 5-speed

There is this loud whine that happens occasionally. It is most noticeable in 1st and 2nd gear. It usually 'kicks-in' as the engine is revving up. What I mean is that most of the time it doesn't start making the noise with the initial throttle, I'll be pressing the throttle and it will sound normal and then all of a sudden I'll hear this loud whine. It reminds me of what people say vtec kicking in sounds like. I can't personally say I have heard vtec kick in but this is what I imagine. What do you think it could be? The mechanic said it sounded like a bearing in the transmission when I took the car for another issue. He said he would have to open the transmission to see. The car shifts fine though.

 

At what RPM does it occur?

 

Are you sure it's not a wheel bearing ?

 

rpm varies. If it was a wheel bearing I would think it would do it in all gears. The mechanic said it sounds like a bearing in the transmission. Does anyone know exactly what it would be?

 

If it's the wheel bearing the sound would be slightly proportional to rpms...meaning it would make a louder sound the higher the rpms. Can you narrow it to one side or the other.

Rather than spend 1200-1500 on a transmission overhaul that may or may not be necessary I would first replace the transmission oil first.

Also, transmission mechanics seem to always hear noises coming from the transmission.

 

It's not just him I've heard it too. I just changed the oil like two months ago. No I can't tell if it's from one side or the other.