help, what is this noise?

[Jforce]

Whever iv'e driven for a while, and press the clutch its making this noise:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_QJzMO7FkIs

if i release the clutch and press it again its gone.

what is it, or whats causing it?

[Ryan]

The only thing that spins when the clutch is disengaged is the pilot bearing.


So, pilot bearing.

[mazdags94]

It could also be the throwout bearing (you can see here: http://www.novak-adapt.com/knowledge/clutches_etc.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;).

It only engages the pressure plate (spins) when you press the clutch pedal in. If the bearing is worn, you can tell. They have a tendancy to heat up quite a bit and even melt after they are worn out.

Now you should list how many miles you have on your engine/tranny, any work done (i.e. clutch, flywheel, etc.), year and engine size.

[Jforce]

oh yeah sry.

its an 1.8 k8 v6 from 1995

got no complete history, but the cars is imported at 118.000 KM , got the cam belt changed and some minor stuff.
I bought it at 160.000 KM and now it has run 165.000 Kilometers, so about 100.000 Miles. No clutch repairs noted. all stock i guess.

But the sound of an bearing is really differnt, another guy at the dutch mx-3 club also has a problem with his clutch.

and its sound really different :http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kp4sfDlSHBw

and the say this is the throwout bearing. much higher pitched.


- another thing is that when i release the clutch and press again its gone until i moved.

so:

clutch pressed 1st gear: noise
clutch pressed neutral: noise
clutch released neutral: no noise
clutch pressed neutral: no noise
clutch pressed 1st gear: no noise
Drive 1 meter forward: no noise
clutch pressed 1st gear: noise

- it also does happen only after i driven for like 15 minutes.

- and i smell clutch plate after a drive

- also the peddal has quite some free play, measured about 1,5 inch, manual says max 0,6 inch

-doesn't seem to shift any differt than before the noise, 1,3,4,5 smoot, 2nd has a little grind when cold mostly.


hope this is better info for a diagnose

[Ryan]

d'oh, my bad, TOB also spins...

If you're good, you can examine the TOB with a mirror on a stick and a flashlight, via either the inspection plate on the bottom, or the starter hole.


Or....


Does it make the noise if you put pressure on the clutch, but not enough to fully disengage? The TOB touches, and then pushes before the pilot bearing spins.

[Jforce]

didn't know there was an inspection plate, what i'm a looking for then? i'm really no clutch expert.


it makes the noise with full presure on the pedal.

but it could be that it not fully disengages, de noise seams to be less when im trying to push the pedal through te floor, but i can't go any further there's the carpet

if it not fully disengages, that ussaly caused by the clutch cylinders leaking right? the slave is not wet, couldn't find the master yet. (i know where to look, buts hard to see if i dont take parts out)

like i said if i clutch twice no noise, no shaking pedal. like its lost presure after driving forward a little. dont know if i lost clutch/brakefluid. The resevoir is still far above the low leven, its 3/4
between low and full.

[Ryan]

pumping the clutch twice will disengage it further, and push harder on the TOB.

my money is still on pilot bearing. If the noise happens as soon as the clutch disengages, and not as soon as the TOB presses on the pressure plate..


the inspection plate is right on the bottom of the trans, on the vertical face between the motor and trans. You'll need some talent and a 14mm wrench. Its almost easier to pull the starter and look through there. You'll need a little mirror on a stick. Even so, this will only look at the condition of the TOB.

[Jforce]

yeah probaly its almost always the most expensive fix :S

but one more thing it doesn't happen instantly, with a cold engine i can not get the car to produce the noise.

[Jforce]

so i think i'm going to replace the clutch, presure plate and bearings.

but for the mx-3 u can get different size clutches,

which one do i need? 225mm or 215mm? or do both fit?

[Inodoro Pereyra]

It's the pilot bearing.
The throwout bearing ALWAYS spins when you disengage the clutch, regardless of the tranny being in gear or not. But when the pilot bearing is seized, it will, sometimes, drag the tranny's input shaft with it when not in gear, so you will have no noise when in neutral.

Now, when you replace the pilot bearing, take a good look at the tranny input shaft. It has to fit SNUGGLY into the bearing. If your input shaft is worn out, or out of round, you will need to rebuild or replace your tranny.

[Jforce]

i do have noise in neutral.

and im not doing it myself btw, only buy the clutch set myself because it saves me 150 bucks.

i only need to order the right kit 225mm or 215mm, like i said above.