Please help identify transmission noise

[MrClutch]

After cold start up there is a slight metal scraping noise when in drive or reverse. The noise seems to get stronger with increased engine load and fades away as the engine/trans warms up.

A quick search seems to point to a transmission issue but I could not find a concrete answer.

Car: 2010 Mazda 6 - 2.5L 5 speed auto trans

 

[simple_gifts]

The obvious question is "have you checked the fluid level?"

 

[MrClutch]

I'll check again tomorrow.

I check the trans level every oil change and it was good a few months ago. There are no leaks on the driveway.

 

[spasm3]

Does the noise occur when moving or while sitting still in drive or reverse?

 

[JMJNet]

When was the fluid changed last time?

 

[dbias]

Hopefully its a heat shield rattling.

 

[charbaby]

Since we're not there to hear your noise, it's difficult to determine exactly where your noise is being generated from.
This could be anything from a rattling heat shield, sticking brakes, a half shaft or low ATF level.

FOR EXAMPLE:
My daughter's Civic in my signature was screaching ONLY when going in reverse with the steering wheel turned in either direction, like when backing out of a parking spot.

Once I determined which side the noise was coming from(it didn't sound like brakes), but I tore into the brakes and found that the noisy side's brakes were almost completely frozen in their brackets. So, I started there.

I removed the stuck pads and cleaned the area & ground the rust out of the grooves in the hold down bracket, lubed everything including the slide pins and all is well. So, I did the exact same thing to the other side even though that side was not making noise...and found that these brakes too were quite stuck in their bracket...just a matter of time.

 

[MrClutch]

Thank you everyone for your input. Issue appears to be resolved.

It turned out to be low on fluid. Added half a quart before cold start and the noise was gone. This is interesting because the driveway is oil free, did the fluid evaporate over time? Now I need to figure out why the level was low.

I did transmission fluid changes every 40k, last one done at 120k. Last time I checked the level is when I was doing the oil change and I figured the reading would be off a little due to the car being on ramps and on an incline, but did not think much of it.

 

[charbaby]

Thanks for your feedback, something we don't often get.