Gearbox/Whining Woes

[zhong]

Hello All,

I thought I'd ask the better of the community to share their knowledge for the S2000 gearbox/engine whining issues...

I had my S for about a year now, and I have changed out majority of the parts (purely wear and tear and a bit of no lovin from previous owner). But I still haven't managed to eliminate something that really annoys me, and somewhat makes it a bit embarasssing..

Basically, I have this HIGH PITCH WHINE, which is 100% dependant on the REV (higher the rev, higher the pitch) - Initially, I thoguht it could've been one of the bearings up front being noisy... I replaced most of them, tested all of them and it didn't make a difference. Tried spraying them with silicone bla bla you name it, I've tried it - NO EFFECT.

Recently read up on the secondary (rear?) output shaft bearing being worn (due to oil starvation?) As it seems it's quite common with the AP1s... Has anyone else ever had this problem and fixed it? Because I would like to hear about it. Can I change the major culprit without opening the box, removing it from the car etc.. basically whatever is easier!

I wanna know what parts I need to fix it, and how much labour is involved (to determine whether I want to do it myself or have a mech do it).. Mainly due to time/tool restrictions..

Your information would be greatly appreciated!

P.S. I also heard this new whine develop (only on cold start ups) probably from the air pump, but I'll post a video on that later.. It's not a high pitched whine, but more of a WHURR.. it sounds like a piece of ribbon stuck halfway inside a vacumn cleaner, just flapping or something...

Peace.

[jrstyles]

Hello All,

P.S. I also heard this new whine develop (only on cold start ups) probably from the air pump, but I'll post a video on that later.. It's not a high pitched whine, but more of a WHURR.. it sounds like a piece of ribbon stuck halfway inside a vacumn cleaner, just flapping or something...

Peace.

lol not being a smartalloc or anything but are you running an aftermarket intake? Because i am and during my startup it gets pretty windy down there! Or maybe you have something stuck in the filter? ;S

[zhong]

lol yeah I am.. but that's not causing the noise, as the intake was the first thing I changed when I got it... It only developed recently.. And it goes away, after the air pump stops.... :P Thanks for your input though.

[AusS2000]

It goes away when the air pump stops? Ever considered it might be the air pump? Pumping.

As to the secondary bearings, they can be changed without opening the box. Just drop the rear section off and disassemble. I recently did this. Requires some tools and some heating and is probably best left to your mechanic. You need the three (IIRC) bearings in the secondary housing and the rear seal.

Turned out to be my diff however. :banghead:

See this thread for all the details:
http://www.s2ki.com/s2000/topic/7948...#entry19066562

[zhong]

^ Thanks for the reply Aus, I read it up on s2ki.. Was your noise more of a WHINE or was it more of a CHATTER? I have this annoying high pitch "ring" that can be heard when I drive next to a wall, noticeable when decelerating in gear (when rev > 1000).. I don't really hear it on idle... Could anyone guess what it could be?

I initially thought it was my tensioner/idler pulleys, but i replaced them and the noise persists.. Could it be other pulleys? ie. Aircon compressor/waterpump? Doesn't really affect the performance or driveability, just very whiney... I think 3AM on here also has the same problem, he has a clip somewhere on youtube. I'll link it.

EDIT: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GY-8XDzxhfs

P.S. How much did those bearings cost ya Aus? I might just change it anyway to try to eliminate that factor...

Peace.

[AusS2000]

$2-300 iirc.

[zhong]

What is IIRC?

[AusS2000]

If I Remember Correctly

[zhong]

KT (Okay, Thanks.)

[zhong]

Okay, so it seems that it's not my gearbox that is making the noise... Here's what I discovered. Please note that I am talking about 2 different "whines/whurrs"..

1. Cold start Whirring - During coldstart (like early morning cold), my secondary air pump would engage with the high pitched jet sound (normal).. But whilst this occurs, I notice a WHURRING that is consistent with my RPM.. It goes away after the car heats up (not when the secondary air pump stops), so if i were to drive straight off the start, it will be WHURRING - but when it heats up, it goes away. I recently serviced my car, so it isn't oil levels nor any vacumn leak (ill need to double check this one)

a. Can the thermostat make such noises if it becomes worn? Maybe it's leaking, and coolant passes through it, causing it to whur because it's not COMPLETELY open at cold start?
b. Is it related to my TCT? Or its guides etc? The whur sounds like when you running a remote controlled car, and it's on its last legs of battery life, a very lazy WHUUU - sort of sounds like something is flowing through something, it's not a smooth whurr, it's more like a rumble whur.
c. Could it be my alternator causing such sound? Although it stops after it warms up i don't think so.

2. The high pitch whining noticeable whilst down gearing.... More like a ringing (constant throughout rev) - definately audible from the engine bay, and not the box.

Any help would be appreciated.

[MrJohn]

hey i was browsing around s2ki and i found this
http://www.s2ki.com/s2000/topic/6814...ons-1999-2009/
might help u abit

[zhong]

Thanks for that, but no, it didn't help me with my problem.

Mind due though, I drove next to another S yesterday, and his engine sounds like mine... I'm not alone afterall.. LOL