I've saved a kitten and done a search but while there's plenty of threads on gearbox whine, all the whining seems to be constant for others. My problem is that sometimes when I change from 2nd to 3rd, there is a short whining noise from somewhere under the car when I give it gas. :confused: It goes away as quickly as it happens - it's probably more of a squeak than a whine but it's definitely there. It doesn't happen all the time and only seems to happen in 3rd gear (either going up 2nd to 3rd or down 4th to 3rd). Does anyone think it might be anything to worry about or does it maybe just need a touch of lubrication (oooh errr!)? Cheers to you friendly folk. Mike

i think it needs lubrication on the ball under the gear stick mine was bit sticking going into 1st to 2nd

took it to the garage they took the ball out and lubed it up and it stop sticking

so that could be the case

Cool, thanks man. It doesn't feel like it's sticking, but might be worth a try.

This could be a very slightly mis-aligned gear change cable(s). The whine might be the selector fork running on the syncro hub sleeve for third gear. Can be diagnosed by a passenger equipped with an engine stethoscope held onto the top of the gear lever.

It could also be a simple transient high frequency vibration, such as exhaust heat shield, or aux drivebelt, alternator clutch, tension pulley.

Only worry if the gearbox starts to howl

Yet again your advice is excellent my friend. The whine sounds like it's coming from somewhere in the middle or slight rear of the car - could this be heat shield from exhaust? I think my missus might worry about my sanity if I asked her to hold a stethoscope to the gear stick!

Yet again your advice is excellent my friend. The whine sounds like it's coming from somewhere in the middle or slight rear of the car - could this be heat shield from exhaust? I think my missus might worry about my sanity if I asked her to hold a stethoscope to the gear stick!

Heat shield vibration is pretty common. The spring clips they use to hold the shield onto the studs in the bodywork, have a tendency to corrode and fall off. Can be tricky pinning down a source of a random noise.

Just tell the wife she is training to be a doctor