What the hell is that noise?

[whitetiger777]

I seem to be getting a wierd noise from under my hood. It's a fast loud ckicking sount (no, it's not the lifter tick). My first thought was that iw was crank walk, because this is a 97 GSX. After playing with it using a micrometer, the crank is well withing the specified range of movement. After driving it again I relised that the sound was nonexistent in first gear, very slight in second, very loud and pernounsed in 3rd, only knoticeable in fourth when coasting, and nonexsitant in 5th. I kind of think it might be a trans problem, but not quite sure. Any opinions would be helpfull.

 

[TangNinja]

My car makes a clicking noise every once in a while that sounds kind of like what you're describing, if it is the same then it's the accessory belts, just spray a little belt dressing on them and see if it goes away. I have to replace mine shortly.

 

[whitetiger777]

But shouldn't that make the sound at all times. It seems that third gear is when it realy gets bad, and no other gears. And this is a rather loud noise. it kind of has a helecopter/lawnmower sound to it. When I had someone replace my timming belt they told me that some bering was getting wore out on the drive shaft, I didn't pay to much attention to him becuase I just figured he wanted another job to do to the car. But there again, why only third gear?

 

[whitetiger777]

Perhaps it kind of sounds more like a card in the spokes of a bicycle...

 

[rampridersrider]

Does it only do it will you are driving. If so, you could put the front on jack stands and have a buddy drive through the gears and even apply a little pressure to the brakes while hitting the gas (just a little to put the motor under a load). While he is doing this look and listen for the noise and where its coming from. Please make sure you have it securely on the stands and put a fan infront of it to keep it cool. This is just a suggestion as to try and find the noise. Be careful.

 

[97jestergst]

im assuming what whitetiger was refering to as your wheel bearings is a possibility i had min go in my 93 and it made a similar noise and it was not the gears but the speed the rpms and speed you hit in third is prime to hear the noise due to stress level theres not as much in 1st n 2nd but tons in 3rd and when you get going faster your spinning your wheels fast enough to quiet it down does it get louder the faster you go in 3rd? and to test out this theory ramprider had and awsome idea with the jack stands listen to your axel area and listen for the noise but like he said make sure the vehicle is secure befor getting under it
-Jester

 

[whitetiger777]

It only makes the sound during third gear. As of right now speed, or RPM seem to have no apparent relation. One local guy seem to think, maybe I have a chiped tooth on my third gear. However I am not that rough on my tranny, so I'm not sure how that would have happened. Any more input would still be appriated.