Liquid sound from gear shift area

EDDYMORR

MEMBER
2001 SATURN SC1
4 CYL
FWD
MANUAL
83,000 MILES

2001 Saturn SC1 Manual 5 speed, 83,000 miles.

Recently started making what I can only describe as what sounds like liquid under pressure hitting the underside of the car around the gear shift area. Happens only during shifts, but I cannot make it happen at will. It is very sporadic at this time. Another way of describing the sound is to imagine fluid flowing under moderate pressure out of a hose hitting an angled surface and flowing off.

Any ideas?

2 Replies

KHLOW2008

MECHANIC
41,815 POSTS

It could be due to dry joints at the shifter linkages. Have them checked/lubricated and retest.

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Friday, May 20th, 2011 AT 11:16 AM

SATURNTECH9

MECHANIC
30,870 POSTS

Just to add to this I agree with KHLow 2008 the shift cables run inside the car until it reaches the firewall under the dash where it goes out to the engine compartment.I have heard the shifter assembly squeak and sometimes the cables but never see anything else that could make that noise in that area. Outside under that part of the car there is nothing that has to do with shifting the car or that can make a noise like that. Try lubing the shifter and cables if it bothers you that much.