Knocking noise possibly coming from the transmission

Tiny
ARCHERSAM1
  • MEMBER
  • 2001 CITROEN XSARA
  • 1.6L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 86,000 MILES
Hello, my car makes a light knocking noise, almost like a rattle when it's in first gear, second gear, and very quietly in third gear. It also makes it very, very quietly when the car is in neutral but if I push the clutch pedal all the way in, the noise goes away.

It seems to get louder if I engine brake (in second gear). Otherwise, the car runs perfectly and never slips out of gear, the clutch feels good, it doesn't slip when accelerating.

I've checked the heatshield to make sure it's not rattling, and it's not. I couldn't see anything immediately that would cause the rattle.

Here is a recording of it with the clutch in and out. It doesn't sound exactly how it sounds real life, but is close: https://vocaroo.com/112N9xU7EFq1
Thursday, November 19th, 2020 AT 5:23 PM

2 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,192 POSTS
Hi,

This vehicle isn't offered in the US, but I will try my best to help.

If you notice the noise goes away when you depress the clutch, chances are it is the release bearing in the clutch system. The only way to be certain would be to take things apart and inspect the bearing.

I circled the throw out bearing (release bearing) in the pic. That bearing is what releases pressure from the clutch plate when the pedal is depressed.

Let me know if this is something you could take apart to check. It is a big job.

Take care,
Joe
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Thursday, November 19th, 2020 AT 6:12 PM
Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
It is hard to hear in that recording but with that and your description, I am confident that this is the pilot bearing or throw out bearing/release bearing that is starting to make noise. This is nothing to worry about right now but it will most likely get worse and at that point you will most likely have other clutch issues that will lead you to replace the clutch.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/pilot-bearing-replacement

Unfortunately we don't have a manual on this vehicle as it is not offered here in the USA so I can't give specific info on this vehicle but this issue is pretty common. Let me know if you have other questions. Thanks
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Thursday, November 19th, 2020 AT 6:12 PM

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