Technical Whining noise when accelerating

[Torridon1]

My 1992 Fiat Panda 999 CLX has started to whine noticeably when in medium revs in 2nd and 3rd gear. (Enough for one of my son's friends to ask if it was an electric car.)
I have read some other posts about whining noises and gearboxes but wanted to run it past the Forum before taking any action.
The facts are:

- It only whines in gear, not in neutral and not in gear with the clutch pedal down.

- It will whine as I accelerate in 2nd up to point when the whining will stop and the engine seems to accelerate through the whine (I hope that makes sense). The same thing happens in 3rd but not as consistently.

- It doesn't whine all all the time. It is whining most of the time but sometimes not.

- It started once the weather turned wetter and colder.

- I can't see any trace of a leak of gearbox oil from around the gearbox or the gaiters.

Any help or advice on what and how to investigate further very gratefully received.

Thanks

 

[Palio]

Are you sure it's from the gearbox? Silly question maybe but in the damp I have one which does something similar from a belt - tbh I haven't sorted it as it goes away as it warms up then I forget about it! It only does it under load in the lower gears - it's the noise you describe & definitely not the 'box in my case.

 

[panda1408]

Does it stop as soon as you press the clutch? Could be the clutch release bearing.

 

[panda panda]

I get a whining noise too, from the passenger seat usually

 

[Torridon1]

Thanks all.

I first thought it might be a belt because it does seem like an "outside" rather than an "inside" noise, but it only happens when in gear and so I thought I was being too optimistic!

How would I confirm or eliminate the clutch bearing as the issue?

Nobody has responded and said "stop driving the car immediately, it's about to die" (yet!) so I will keep an ear on it and keep using it, and also take it beyond the school run to see if being fully warm makes any difference.

Many thanks

 

[Dragon Man]

it is always a good thing to check and see if your panda's gear box oil is up to the correct level. it is a common thing for the inner CV boots to perish and spill the gearbox oil out, without any knowledge of it happening untill the box starts making noises.

look under the front of the car and look at the gearbox. you will see a plug with a 12mm allen key. undo that the look from the top and see if you can see any oil. if its full most of the time you get a little dribble if the gearbox has got the correct oil level in. but if not do top it up until it starts to dribble out.
the correct oil to top up with is SAE 85w/90 GL3.
for more info check this:
https://www.fiatforum.com/members-motors/299063-john-dragon-mans-4x4-sisley-6.html?p=3021451

 

[VmanC]

How would I confirm or eliminate the clutch bearing as the issue?

The clutch bearing is only spinning when the clutch pedal is depressed so this is when you get the noise if it was the problem, but you say your noise is when driving with your foot off the clutch, the clutch bearing is not moving at that time so is unlikely to be your problem.

Try holding the engine revs at 2-3000 rpm whilst stationary in neutral, if you get the noise then it would rule out the gearbox entirely and you would be looking at a possible fault with the cambelt tensioner, water pump, alternator or alternator drive belt. If you don't get the noise at standstill then gearbox bearings are favourite.

 

[Dragon Man]

could always jack the car up, put on axle stands, chock the back wheels, get a trusted friend to put the car in 2nd/3rd and rev the engine.. then have a walk around the car and see if you can hear it.. if it only does it under load, you could try to ride the brakes a little

ok its not very safe but it was something i did when i was trying to fix my 5th gear issue.

 

[Torridon1]

Thanks for the advice.
I did check running the engine in neutral at around 2000 - 3000 rpm and no noise.
I will check the gearbox oil level as suggested and then do the research around gearbox bearings.
Family, Xmas and work taking priority, but I will be reporting back as soon as I can.
Many thanks for all the help and input.