i posted an earlier thread on this noise and suspected brakes but they checked out fine yesterday.

 

when i got this 99 ob 7 years and 140k miles ago there was a barely imperceptible noise that rose and fell with engine speed.

 

it has been getting louder over the years. it sounds like a dragging sound that goes up and down with engine speed.

 

however, you can still hear it if i put it in neutral and glide down hills. it still goes up and down with engine speed even in neutral gliding.

 

the funny thing is this. if i push on the accelerator in just the right way the sound almost disapears????

 

i know how hard it is diagnosing a problem without test driving it but i would like to get a couple ideas before taking it to a mechanic.

 

the mileage is about 250k. manual tranny. all fluids have been checked and fine. new clutch 60k miles ago.

can you hear it idling with the hood up? maybe a waterpump or alt. bearing is going bad.

 

is it a buzzing sound? that could be heat shields.

 

Looks like you might be due for a TB change too. Look for rubbing inside the covers, maybe the TB belt is flopping around from a weak TB tensioner?

i'll get right on checking those things. the tb was changed 6ok too when the headgaskets were replaced.

 

i do notice a very slight knocking noise from the front of motor that goes away after the engine is warm. it goes away after just a couple minutes.

 

thanks for the advice.

Possibly long overdue for a timing belt. Check that asap as it can cost you an engine.

can you hear it idling with the hood up? maybe a waterpump or alt. bearing is going bad.

 

is it a buzzing sound? that could be heat shields.

 

Looks like you might be due for a TB change too. Look for rubbing inside the covers, maybe the TB belt is flopping around from a weak TB tensioner?

 

 

don't hear it at all when idling. hear it when car is rolling whether in any gear or even when in neutral going at any speed. the sound increases or decreases with the speed of the car.

 

the sound decreases slightly when i push in the clutch pedal but i am confused since i hear it in gear or gliding in neutral.

so, it doesn't really change with engine RPM but rather speed of the car?

 

Or , at the same speed, does it change with different gears?

throwout bearing. i a was assuming an MT by the symptoms and then you mentioned clutch.

so, it doesn't really change with engine RPM but rather speed of the car?

 

Or , at the same speed, does it change with different gears?

 

 

correct. it changes with speed of car and NOT engine rpm. it does not change with different gears. and as i mentioned before the sound is the same even gliding out of gear.

 

fyi. i have new tires with only about 6000 miles on them. the brakes checked out fine. the sound seems to be coming from somewhere in front not back of car.

 

the clutch was done 60k ago . thanks

Front wheel bearing? If not sure, then just wait a few months. It will grow louder to resolve all doubt.

correct. it changes with speed of car and NOT engine rpm. it does not change with different gears. and as i mentioned before the sound is the same even gliding out of gear.

 

fyi. i have new tires with only about 6000 miles on them. the brakes checked out fine. the sound seems to be coming from somewhere in front not back of car.

 

the clutch was done 60k ago . thanks

 

well, you said it changed with engine (not car) speed about 3-4 times in your original post.

 

yeah, could be wheel bearing, kift front of car, try grab tires at 12 and 6 oclock positions and try to sigt up and down, ANY detectable movement requires further inspection for bearing or balljoint or other problem, even a millimeter of movement. Also, if one hub feels hotter after driving thena the opposite side, could be wheel bearing or brake problem.

 

Of course, there are axles and the front differential that can make noises.