Hi All,
On my Polo, the transmission makes a clattering noise - whether the car is moving or its stationery with the box in neutral.
The clattering fades away when the clutch is depressed.
The car has done 52,000 miles and currently does just 30/40 miles a week on lots of very short journeys (which are pretty wearing).
Any views on the cause? The clutch isn't slipping. The clattering only became audible after a 100 mile motorway run a month or so ago....
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Edited by Dynamic Dave on 30/06/2008 at 11:06
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1) Change the gearbox oil
2) Check the engine for misfiring
3) Are the valve clearances set manually or hydraulically? If manually, make sure the clearances haven't closed up.
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Sounds like a noisy clutch release bearing, probably worn out at 11 years old.
Very common on Fiestas also.
Think you have to remove the gearbox to get to it, so quite expensive, the part is quite cheap though.
Could also be worth getting the gearbox oil changed or the level checked.
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Thanks. Tne engine is fine - no misfires and the clutch release bearing sounds like the most likely candidate.
I'll check the gear box for oil levels but don't really to spend much money on the car unless I have to. Car isn't due for a service until next Spring, so I propose to check/top-up gear oil now - but leave gear oil change until the service.
I'm not sufficiently practically to do anything major on the car - and gearbox out sounds pretty significant. I suspect the labour costs could be eyewatering....
I think I ought to be budgeting to change the car in the next 18 months....
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Does the clattering stop as soon as you put any pressure on the clutch pedal, or only when you have pressed the pedal beyond the biting point?
If the latter, is the noise worst at idle, and then goes away at higher engine speeds?
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It only goes when I press the pedal beyond biting points - tends to "fade out".
The noise is worse at idle and less audible at higher engine speeds - not sure if this is because the noise of the engine masks it.
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Look very carefully at the engine - seriously! - it might not be fully misfiring, but I suspect it isn't running as smooth as it ought to. A tight tappet clearance if these engines are adjustable is a possibility.
The gearbox oil change need not be particulalry expensive - certainly much less than the cost of replacing a release bearing.
It probably isn't the engine sound at raised rpm masking the rattle, it's just that at speed, the engine will, torsionally, smooth out, and the viscous drag in the gearbox will be increased.
Your problem **definitely** isn't the release bearing.
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Just to follow up on this:
- the box has a slight leak. It has been topped up with just over a litre of oil, with no difference in noises from the car.
- the car still makes the clattering noise at tickover, which fades completely when the clutch is depressed
- on motorways runs the box jumps out of 5th gear - after the car has been running for a while.
Evidence from the forums on "Club Polo" is that transmission problems are a standard issue for a vehicle of this type, age and mileage. 50k+ miles is quite often when problems seem to occur.
I have not checked tappet clearances. The problems therefore could well be related to these.
The saga of replacing the vehicle is discussed on "Replacing Ye Olde Polo" thread in the discussion board.
Edited by LondonBus on 19/12/2008 at 13:25
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And finally...
After several days of use, the clattering has faded. You can only hear it faintly at tickover.
Well worth checking your gear oil levels on cars of this age regularly, particularly if there's evidence of leaky oil seals....
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