Hey guys,

Been a while since I have posted on here. I now have a 1999 Civic EX that I picked up for 2k as a daily driver. Car is dirt slow, which is expected, but since I have fixed it up and cleaned it up I cannot complain at all.

Recently I left my house, stereo off, and as I accelerate I here this almost cat purring or Chabaka like sound which sounds like it is coming from the transmission. Im not sure on how else to describe it. Maybe like the sound of when you used to put a playing card in the spokes of you bike but a softer version (that may show my age some...haha). When I push the clutch in it stops. No sound at idle, clutch in or out, but once in gear and I start to accelerate I start to hear it. I can also sit at idle and rev with no sound. Seems to be loudest in second. Any thoughts? Is the trans about to take a crap on me? Im not sure what else could be causing the sound.

Thanks

 

Hmm, a few thoughts.
Check the MTF level in the trans first, you dont want it low/dry.
It might be a bearing just starting to show damage based on your description.
You'll see in other transmission noise threads that the regulars here will say "If it makes noise with the clutch pedal down its the TOB (throwout bearing), and it if makes noise in gear, and goes away with the clutch pedal down its the ISB (input shaft bearing)."

You can also check all the normal parts that move while in gear (axles, wheel bearings, clutch...etc.) and under load for any excess play, visible damage, foreign objects, leprechauns...etc.

 

Not hearing it in neutral rules out the input shaft bearing (kind of), but it still sounds like bearing failure within the transmission.

Would it be possible to get a recording of the sound?

 

Was gonna say, my d series trans made the infamous isb sound even in neutral, BUT sometimes when accelerating, the sound would go away, and come back at different rpms.
Video would be nice

 

Thanks for the input thus far.

I tried to set my cell on the floor and drive to catch the sound but it picks up every noise and you can't hear the trans. I do have a GoPro I could probably stick to the front passenger quarter and pick it up that way. I will try that this weekend or tonight, time permitting, and get it uploaded.

 

Well crap, I think I have a bigger issue than I thought. I didn't get a chance to get a sound clip bc I was busy and away from home all weekend. I got to work this morning, parked, turned the stereo off, and I could hear that sound just every so slightly. I gave the car just a little gas and I could hear it in when parked now. Not as bad as when I drive though. I dont know what it can be. Hopefully not the bottom end. The car does have a horrible oil leak requiring oil to be added every couple hundred miles but I stay on top of it. I did, when changing the plugs for atune up, have a spark plug tube full of oil. I have the gaskets to fix it but just havent had time since I have been working on my other car. I wonder if the leak in that tube is what I am hearing.....?....just hope its not rod bearings or anything of that sort. I need the car to at least hold up for another month until my other build is completed.

 

Just throwing this out there I had a rattle/grinding sound that would only become audible when I hit a certain rpm and figured it was a clutch or tranny problem automatically fearing the worst. It turned out to be a loose bolt from the exhaust. Get it on a lift where you can give it gas and have the tech listen that way.

 

sounds like the throwout bearing...that exact issue was in my eh2...i just replace the whole clutch kit and bammm...problem went away...