High-pitched Gear Whine

[Katapl]

I bought an S13 with a CA swap and as I drove it 20 miles home, I noticed it had a really high-pitched whine when I went through gears. Just getting it to 3k rpms in 1st was like driving it at 5k rpms in reverse. It was a damn loud whine noise. I figured it was low on transmission fluid, and it was. I filled it full, but it still makes a high-pitched gear whine in all gears. I'm not sure why. Any help?

It also makes a vibration noise with the car in neutral, but when I push the clutch in, it stops. I'm guessing that's a bad throw-out bearing.

[90nissan240sx]

r u shure its coming from transmission and not the rear end? it might be diff. or a bearing...

[Katapl]

My father and I had both agreed the noise meant it was low on transmission oil. As we drained it, less than a quart came out! I filled it with 2 1/2 quarts (which is basically what the CA FSM said was pretty close to). The noise still persisted. It comes in at as low as 2k rpms, and gets louder as I bring the RPM's up higher.

I'm quite sure it's coming from the transmission, but I could always be wrong.

[Katapl]

[MomentumGT]

Had the same problem a few years ago when my sr transmission went out. I swapped the bell housing to the used ka transmission which had the high whining noise. 2 months later with infrequent driving the ka swapped transmission went out also. Drained the oil and there was nasty metal shavings with the oil. From your description your transmission might be on its way out.

-Jon

[Katapl]

That makes sense. Being that it was driven 20 miles and who knows who long before that on about 1 quart of gear oil. Rather than the recommended 2.4

[98s14inaz]

Anyone consider that the turbo may be going out?

[Katapl]

Anyone consider that the turbo may be going out?

I doubt it. It just doesn't seem like something that comes from the turbo. I can keep it in neutral and give it a bit of gas, and there will be no whine at all. It's definitely gear-related.

[rogoman]

I bought an S13 with a CA swap and as I drove it 20 miles home, I noticed it had a really high-pitched whine when I went through gears. Just getting it to 3k rpms in 1st was like driving it at 5k rpms in reverse. It was a damn loud whine noise. I figured it was low on transmission fluid, and it was. I filled it full, but it still makes a high-pitched gear whine in all gears. I'm not sure why. Any help?

It also makes a vibration noise with the car in neutral, but when I push the clutch in, it stops. I'm guessing that's a bad throw-out bearing.

The transmission input shaft bearing is shot; pushing in the clutch pedal disengages the transmission from the flywheel, so the transmission input shaft stop turning.

[pr240sx]

Well, basically ANY bearing inside the transmission could be shot.Could be any. Open,check and replace.

When my first transmission blew, I ran and ordered the front input mainshaft bearing from Courtesy. 2 days later and 90 bucks less and the faulty bearing was the main COUNTERshaft bearing in the center carrier.

I scrapped the transmission and bought a used one instead.

[98s14inaz]

I doubt it. It just doesn't seem like something that comes from the turbo. I can keep it in neutral and give it a bit of gas, and there will be no whine at all. It's definitely gear-related.

There is no load on the turbo while you are in neutral, not building boost, so there will be no whine. It is worth a check before you start ripping your transmission apart.