Strange noise??

[DanielM]

Morning all, need a little help with something. Basically my 53 plate Megane 1.4 16v, has just started to make a strange noise when driving. Its hard to describe without actually hearing it yourself and is too quiet to record on a phone/camera.

Anyway when the cars moving there sounds like a wurring noise coming from the engine, I had a quick look yesterday and cant seem to figure out where its coming from. When you rev the car (whilst stationary) it seems to get louder and slightly faster, but when driving if you press the clutch down it stops and then starts again when you depress the clutch. I did notice the top engine mount had excessive wear on it and may have snapped but dont think this is the cause? Although one of my mates suggested this could be causing the box to move making the driveshaft bearing grind as the box moves when its in gear?

The car has done 50k and I dont think the cambelt has been done yet but cant be 100%, need to check the service history.

Anyone got any ideas?

Thanks

[AlexB]

Clutch release bearing?
https://www.carcare.org/Manual_Transmiss ... ring.shtml

[DanielM]

Possibly, but this sounds stops when the clutch is pressed down and then makes the noise again when the clutch is released. Where as the clutch release bearing is the other way round isnt it?

[AlexB]

I am sorry, I didn't read your post well. You are right, the clutch release bearing sounds when the pedal is pressed down and not the other way round.

Does the sound change when you just touch the clutch without actually disengaging it?

[DanielM]

No worries ha ha, no the clutch needs to be fully pressed down for the noise to stop.

[AlexB]

This means it is not the clutch release mechanism...

Well, if the sound was caused by the engine and transmission moving due to failed engine mount, then it would disappear at a certain position of throttle. So, it is something else.

I don't know, sorry. Gearbox maybe? Are any traces of oil on it?

[DanielM]

No traces of oil that I can see. Also I've just been out and checked it only does it when in gear.

[AlexB]

I give up. Ask Andi Stephen at Parkers. PM him as he may be not checking the Renault thread frequently these days.
https://www.parkers.co.uk/advice/forum/d ... p?CAT_ID=1

[DanielM]

Ok matey, thanks for help

[Andi Candoo]

The first reply was on the money. When the release bearing starts to wear, there is play in the bearing. When you press the pedal, the wear is eliminated because the bearings are now "tight".

Believe it or don't, but a release bearing has a life of 10 minutes garanteed, after that it can wear and it's tough titty .

Most people wear these out by resting their foot on the clutch pedal whilst driving, thus wearing the bearings and their mating surfaces.

Now you may be lucky and the bearing could go on for another year, or it'll spit the dummy and crumple, leaving you in a right state.

I would change the clutch while you are at it and have the dual mass flywheel checked out too


EDIT, I have just re-read your initial post and a though occurs. If it only does it when in gear then it's terminal I'm afraid. You may notice it is worst in 1st and 2nd, if so, it'll be the input shaft, which will get worse until the gearbox starts slipping and making hellish cracking sounds

Exactly what happened to my Laguna. I can get a recon box for £500, but the clutch and flywheel are about £1000

My plan is to buy a whole crash damaged car and use all the bits off it to fix mine.