Noise Troubleshooting

[Mr Mackey]

I’ve got: 2004 AUDM Lancer CH ES 5 speed manual.

Runs well, but I’ve come across a noise that I’ve just noticed in the last few days.
It’s almost like a motorcycle sound really, not one that’s sitting at 15000 RPM, but one that’s at 3000 RPM. Not loud, but.. there.

I’ve done some basic troubleshooting: Does the sound remain regardless of engine speed – Yes, it does not change between 2000 RPM, and Idle, and Engine off.
The sound does change with road speed – the faster I go, the louder it gets. The radio does mask the sound. With the radio off it’s hard to hear as I slow below 20-30kph.
I don’t recall anything that might have triggered it, i.e. no knocks that I thought were ‘hard’, or anything like that.
It sounds like it’s from the passenger side (so for you US folk, it’s on the left hand side – the transmission side).
I can’t see the rear engine mount as having an issue.
I tested full lock each side to prove no CV joint noise, and there was none (this was at slow speed, when the noise would be hard to hear, but I was looking for clicks).
It doesn’t change sound with gears, i.e. sound is the same in neutral and in 5th. I can’t hear it in 1st (engine noise in 1st is too loud for it). 2nd at 30 is sort of there, 3rd at 30+ is definitely there.

I’m thinking along the lines of any component that moves, and continues to move at the same speed regardless of clutch state (in / out).
Is the clutch continually spinning at the same speed as the wheels?

I’m not sure if it’s transmission related (I look to it as this would likely be moving at the same speed regardless of road speed), but gear changes make no difference (and it’s there in idle).
The tyres are fairly new just a few thousand km ago.
Transmission would have fluid, changed within 2 years, I think 18 months.

I’m yet to get it up on the ramps to look under – before I do – any pointers?

To describe the type of noise, I’d say motorcycle, but I’d also agree with card between bike spokes sound – Try this, but the sound is ‘slightly different’:

Thanks in advance, hope I’ve given plenty of info 🙂

Topic

[Daniel]

Glad you got it fixed.

[Author]

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