OK, quick recap of my situation:

Bought an 84 GSL-SE for $500 that was exhibiting a wierd noise seemingly from the transmission. The car drove just fine, however, and ran like a champ, considering the price I paid.

The noise is a whining sound coming from the front of the car that rises in pitch along with engine RPM. HOWEVER, the noise is completely absent with the clutch engaged or the car in 4th gear. The only way I can describe the way it sounds is like a dogbox tranny from a WRC car.

From that info, I am 95% certain it is something to do with the transmission. My first thought was that the tranny fluid was low or bone dry. So I went and picked up some Redline synthetic fluid for both the tranny and the rear diff. Both were full of fluid, albeit filthy fluid. I used 1.2 US quarts of 75W90 gear oil for the rear and 0.9 quarts of MTL and 0.9 quarts of MT90 in the transmission.

After changing the fluid, I went for a test drive and shifts are much crisper and the diff seemed happier when flogged. However, the sound is still there clear as day.

Sorry for the ramble, but does anyone have any other ideas? If it is something inside the tranny (i.e. expensive) or something harmless I won't worry about it. This car is going to take over duty as my daily driver so I don't want it to fall apart on me on my way to work. Thanks in advance for any ideas or help

 

if it rises with engine rpm... check your belts, your alternator, and your waterpump.... and anything else belt related. can you hear it when it's parked? when you blip the throttle at standstill? don't know much about transmissions, but i'm hoping that it's something easier like one of those i mentioned.

 

Belts are all fine as far as not being cracked or frayed. The alternator makes good juice and recharges the battery well. I don't know how or what to check on the water pump, but it seems okay since I have had no overheating problems.

 

i've had my transmission for almost 2 years now and it's whined since i put it in. it's held up...

it's probably worn gears or something. you should be able to find a good tranny for $100-$250. but i wouldn't worry about it..

 

Transmission / Differential Trouble Shooting

 

I have the exact same problem, the car has done it since i baught it, the transmission was even rebuilt... so i don't know, i figured it was normal but maybe someone could correct me?

 

Thanks for the help guys. I guess it must be a bearing. I won't worry about it for a while, then.

 

Sounds like the throwout bearing. Not a big deal. Cheap part. Just gotta seperate the trany to do it.

 

thats what i was going to say.

 

does it have power steering still in it?

 

Yes, it does have power steering.

 

My car makes that noise if I have a fat girl in the passenger seat.

 

I don't think I want to know how you determined that having a fat girl in the seat causes the problem, but from what he's describing, it sounds like the throwout bearing.

If it whirs until you push the clutch in at idle rpm, that you will hear it 'spin-down', and then go silent. Once you release clutch, it will start whirring again. That's the Throwout bearing - about $13 at any auto-parts store, but you might as well put in a new clutch while you're there, and a new front cover seal set, and...

 

WHY do you have fat girls in the car?!?!?!?! have you read the load capacity in the door jams?!?!!? LOL