Whistling noise heard mainly from inside the car

sleeptec · Postby **sleeptec** » Tue Nov 19, 2013 10:26 pm

Hi guys lately its been getting a bit warmer in Melbourne and I've been driving to work with the windows down (too lazy to take hard top off).

And since a couple weeks ago, I've noticed a high pitched whistling sound that kinda sounds like its belt/fan related. The sound is constant I'm sure while driving, but heard best when idle at the lights or whenever stationary.

I can pretty much make the sound disappear if I press my foot on the clutch maybe going in about 2cm, and then when I let off the clutch the sound will return and persist.

Any ideas on what I should be looking for to fix this? I hope the solution isn't to just constantly keep my foot on the clutch :lol:

.

93_Clubman · Postby **93_Clubman** » Wed Nov 20, 2013 10:47 am

Sounds like clutch thrust bearing - if so, it's fairly common on NA6s, but I guess as NB8As get older this will become more common. However, a bit of lubrication might fix the noise - see about a third of the way down for clutch in following for more info: http://www.miata.net/garage/noises.html

sleeptec · Postby **sleeptec** » Wed Nov 20, 2013 12:03 pm

Thankyou. That does sound like it might be related. I will give this fix a go.

hks_kansei · Postby **hks_kansei** » Wed Nov 20, 2013 12:06 pm

By the way, don't drive, or sit, with the clutch partly in. It will wear the clutch a lot faster.

I agree with Clubman, sounds like the bearing. Getting to it is difficult without removing the gearbox, and if you've gone that far you may as well replace the clutch (new clutches usually come with a replacement bearing as well)

But it's not usually a cheap excercise if you aren't doing it yourself.
Unless the clutch is due for replacement as well, I'd just live with it.

sleeptec · Postby **sleeptec** » Wed Nov 20, 2013 12:41 pm

Haha yeah I wasn't actually going to constantly have the clutch pressed in. I have no other mechanical complaints, so I might just wait til my next service which is 7,000 kms away. Might just replace the clutch then.

Any suggestions on what to get?

hks_kansei · Postby **hks_kansei** » Wed Nov 20, 2013 12:58 pm

Unless you're racing etc jsut get an OEM replacement, no need for heavy duty clutches.

I've heard good things about the Exedy clutches, and the one in my girlfriend's NA6 is quite good.

I was left a bit wanting with the Valeo clutch in my car, but I think that may be more other issues than the clutch itself.