Over the last couple of months my car has developed transmission whine. It is happening in all gears and is loudest when being held at a constant speed.

From my limited description can anyone suggest what the problem may be and is it expensive. The car is a 1998 Tdi estate with 140,000 miles just clocked up.

Could try a fluid change. Cheapest thing to tick off for starters. Any time after 100k should be a benefit with new fluid, depends how bad it is though. Use gen fluid only.

That is on my list of things to do (along with the brakes), never been done as far as I know, but if it is a major bearing on the way out will it be economic? The only other info is that there is a slight flutter on the off side wheel when moving slightly to the left (e.g. following the curve of the road) when driving at speed.

 

Had it done for the wife's Fabia today. Hope they put G70726A2 in.

From #1 I'd have suggested new gear oil as well, but with the extra info in #3 I suspect you need a new OSF wheel bearing.

Agreed with the above.  When my wheel bearing went it was pretty hummy in a straight line let alone when turning, and the wheel in question had zero play in it.  For future reference a transmission oil change will only cost you the oil, and from that mileage onwards can pay big dividends...smoother changes, reduced noises etc, and would always be worth trying before you put a reconditioned gearbox on your shopping list.

is best fluid oe? G060762A2 as i used comma 75w90 in mine and does seem noisy :( 

Yes mate get genuine. I believe Bowders found a decent alternative as described in his how to change the fluid post. If I used any other it would be that only, sorry can't remember what it was called.

less than £15 from dealers so genuine going in next week

Thanks for the replies. Checked the invoice and they put G060762A2 in the Fabia. Will ask them to check the FOS wheel bearing.

Keep us posted

All done. Brakes were the most expensive. Traced to a leaking drum brake plus contaminated shoes and rotting brake line.

The gear box oil was replaced. Can't say gear changes are any easier. Possibly a little worse.

The whine turned out to be the near side wheel bearing. A bit expensive as they only supply a stub hub now.