Stiggywig

I fully understand that in when neutral there will be some noise from the gearbox as there are plenty of shafts/bearings/gears whirling around but what level is 'normal' and what indicates a problem?

The question arises because since getting the car in December I've spent most of the time with the top down. But recently, top up, I've noticed the gearbox noise. Today I struggled to think of a way to describe how loud it is and then hit on this - it's about equivalent to the heater blower at force 3, maybe 4. I'll assume that the blower is normal and not super noisey/quiet.

Does that level of gearbox noise sound about right?

B0ZWELL

no!



in neutral there should only be none to a tiny amount of noise . put your foot on the clutch and it should go very quiet, when lifted in neutral you should hardly hear any difference

my firt S was noisy , the second was so much quieter i could only hear it in the garage with the car door open

jakesalter

It could be that having the top down all the time that you are not used to the loudness of the gearbox.. Take it back to where you got it from for a check as a precautionary..

Expect some noise with the clutch up and in neutral.

ian_6301

Noise in neutral with clutch up = possible input bearing wear

Noise in neutral with clutch down = clutch release bearing wear

Some cars have noisy gearboxes and some don't. It doesn't necessarily mean that you have a problem.

Ultimately, the thing to do would be to get the car up on a ramp, drop the transmission oil out into a clean container and have a look at it. If it comes out looking golden and lovely, you have no probs. If it comes out looking a bit manky, but basically ok, likewise no problem. If it comes out looking like a stream of metallic silver nail varnish, you've got issues!

Having not examined my S2's gearbox in any depth, I am unaware as to whether it has a filter or magnetic plug attached. If it does, the bad signs are loads of metal flakes caught in the filter or a mag plug looking like a porcupine with a hard-on...

Equally, if you find chunks of metal in the oil, start worrying and/or saving.

Alternatively, do as Jake says and send it back. If you bought from Honda, you have at least 12 months warranty. Whilst Honda may charge you to perform the oil change and/or investigate the fault, but at best you get an oil change ahead of schedule and peace of mind. At worst, Honda will find all of the big chunks of bearing / gear teeth in the drip tray and can advise on whether your gearbox was covered by warranty.

Stiggywig

Thanks for the responses guys. Sense of impending doom has receded (a bit). Unfortunately it was a private sale so I have no warranty to fall back on. I could fund remedial work but just hope that it doesn't come to that.

jakesalter

Ian, is yours silent with the clutch up and in neutral?

Its got me thinking too (or overly paranoid) , I might take mine back to the dealer..

Xd

I recently replaced the gearbox in my03. If you can bring the car over to the next gets meet in can go out with you and say if its the same problem.

eSeM

(I think he means next Herts meet, a week on Thursday)

ian_6301

Jake,

Gearbox is quiet as a mouse... compared to the LT77 I recently removed from Landy! Come to think of it, that one did have about radial movement on the input shaft AND a clutch release bearing that was prety much shagged too...

I really wouldn't worry about it too much mate, but we can play with it in the carpark at the SHSM meet on Thursday if you like.

jakesalter

Ian, that would be great, but sadly I'm uable to make it.. Having to work late.