Manual transmission/clutch noise

[Hall]

Asking this only out of curiosity, but a few days ago, our son and I looked at a 2010 Accord w/V6 and manual transmission. The dealer's pictures were very well done, that is, didn't show the bent rocker panel w/ rust, the filthy engine bay, etc but we still took it for a test drive. While driving, it made a noise that I will try my best to describe: Remember when you were younger and you put trading cards in your bike's wheels to make that "flutter" noise ? Something like that.... It only did this when the clutch was released (not depressed, disengaged ?). It was actually loud enough, but not a harsh loud noise, that we couldn't hear the engine sound over this noise. I wouldn't even describe this noise as 'metal' based.

Again, only out of our curiosity, what could this be ? Too vague to guess ? If so, I understand. He's not buying it for this reason and a couple others anyway...

 

[mk378]

Noise from the transmission when idling in neutral is bad bearings inside the transmission. It goes away when you push the clutch pedal down because the transmission shaft stops turning.

 

[Hall]

Maybe I have my clutch "engage" and "disengage" terms backwards. No noise at all in neutral or when the clutch is depressed (pedal pushed in).

 

[mk378]

It happens when the car is moving then? (The only way to not be in neutral and the clutch not pressed would be for the car to be moving.) Noise caused by the car moving could be a lot of things.

 

[01rangerxl]

Originally Posted by mk378
It happens when the car is moving then? (The only way to not be in neutral and the clutch not pressed would be for the car to be moving.) Noise caused by the car moving could be a lot of things.

X2.

The manual in my 94 Ranger is a hot mess and does the "flutter" noise in neutral, foot off the pedal. It changes to a whine when moving.

A rattle/flutter noise in a FWD while in motion could be CV axles.

 

[aquariuscsm]

Every standard transmission car I've ever driven has done that,some are just more insulated than others,and the sound isn't as pronounced. When the clutch is released while the car is running,that sound you're hearing is the transmission's internals spinning.

 

[CR94]

"Released" without clarification in some above posts is confusing, because the clutch is engaged when the clutch pedal is released, and the clutch is released when the pedal is depressed. Be clear!

 

[DoubleWasp]

Could be a spring about to let go in the clutch disc, or a broken piece of the friction material. Could be badly worn in a bad way.

Remember that when the pedal is pushed in, the clutch disc is free. When the pedal is out, it's locked between the flywheel and the clutch face.

Not uncommon the find a busted spring or rivet responsible for this.

 

[555]

How many miles on vehicle?

 

[Hall]

Originally Posted by 01rangerxl
A rattle/flutter noise in a FWD while in motion could be CV axles.
That occured to me as well but why would the noise go away when the car is moving (with clutch pedal depressed or put in neutral) ?

 

[240_Ed]

Any car with a manual transmission will make a little extra mechanical noise when the clutch is engaged, since the gearbox's internals are now spinning - it doesn't indicate a fault in and of itself but it shouldn't be loud and rattly on most normal passenger cars. If it is very noisy then there are many different things that could cause it.

 

[Hall]

I drove manual cars for almost 20 years. I can assure you, this sound was in no way "normal". Oh well, the question was more for "educational" purposes anyway....

The car was for sale in the used-car lot of a local Honda/Nissan dealer and I told the salesman about it. Would be interesting to see if they do anything about it. I'm certain they're selling the car "as-is".