My car buzzes when i down shift?!?!?!

I bought my 2001 S2000 a year ago (do the math, its used) had 40,000 mi. when i got it has 55 now. Shortly after I bought it, I notice a buzzing/gargle sound when I let off the gas or down shift. The sound is there in all gears to some degree and at most of the rpm range below 5k. Its easiest to hear in 3rd gear at about 35 mph (that would start at around 4000rpm). This seems to be the loudest "buzz" for some reason. This could be because of the low noise a car makes at that speed or maybe it puts the right amount of torque on the possibly bad part who knows. As far as I can tell it has not become any worse in the past year and 15000mi.

At this point I would like you to ponder this and think of what you think or know it is....... please, cause I'm about to tell you what the the Honda shop told me it was.....

OK, i trust you have you own ideas now. the Honda place told me it was the clutch friction plate, and said it needed to be replaced and it would be a good idea to replace the pilot baring once I have it apart. grand total for parts a labor....$1500

before i spend that kind of money i would like to see what the people of s2ki think.

Thanks!!!!!!!

 

This is correct. This a classic case of the clutch buzz during deceleration.


Don't know what to tell you about this.

It's prolly safe to run it for a while.

 

This is the well known clutch "decel buzz". It's only a noise and has absolutely no affect on the mechanical function of the car. The backlash in the transmission sends a harmonic vibration forward into the clutch assembly. This vibration is picked up by the clutch disc springs and is amplified into the sound you hear. Many earlier model S2000s (and many later models as well) have this buzz. Changing the clutch disc can reduce and sometimes elliminate the buzz, only to have it come back very shortly thereafter, so having it changed is no assurance that the buzzing will go away.
To repeat, it's just a noise. If it bugs you, then do a clutch job. My suggestion is to do a clutch job when you need a new clutch and NOT because you want to get rid of the buzz.

 

Let's see umm...55k is 5k more than 50k. I think it would be safe to assume you drove 5k miles during the past year.

 

mine doesn't buzz.





*knocks on wood*

 

 

Mine buzzes like two hives of hornets. Oh well.

 

 

even if you do decide to do a clutch job, don't go to the honda dealership. 1500 to replace the disc and pilot bearing is nutty. I paid 1300 total which includes labor and the HTG clutch package (comptech flywheel, ACT pressure plate, OEM disc and new throwout bearing). my clutch was fried so this is why i had the work done. The buzz isn't hurting anything but certainly paying that much just to get rid of a noise is silly.

 

Isn't there a TSB for this?