Hi all,

I've got a 2015 fabia mk3 with 67k on the clock. It had a new clutch and flywheel at 20k miles in 2021 due to a factory fault. However, I've noticed the following issue lately:

 

Taking off in 1st gear, if I lift my foot off the clutch, at the midway/biting point I hear what's best described as a "whine" or deep pitched horn sound from the transmission area. It isn't always present. I've noticed once the car is warm and been driven a bit, the noise isn't there either. I also haven't noticed it present in all gears, though I took off in 2nd when the car was cold and heard the noise in that gear too.

 

The noise isn't enough for someone to notice outside the car, but you can clearly hear it from the inside when it is present.

 

The clutch itself feels smooth still and I've no issue changing gears. 

 

Would appreciate any advice on the issue though.

 

The garage I took it to are hesitant to go changing parts as they feel they would simply be guessing at this point until the issue becomes more noticeable or permanent for that matter as it is currently intermittent. 

 

Thanks!

Edited 24 December, 20241 yr by CReese123

What type of clutch and gearbox is on your car?

 

I assume it's a 5-speed manual but assuming is often where things start to go wrong with diagnostics, you're assuming it's a clutch issues, which it very well might be, but it could be another source or combination of sources.  A neighbour's SEAT (another VW brand) had a very intermittent slipping clutch IIRC turned out to be some oil gasket leak nothing to do with clutch but his was standard clutch and flywheel set up and not the 'clever' other sort(s). 

 

Perhaps a sound recording of this noise might help.

 

When taking off in 1st you could try with more and then less revs to see if either makes any odds to the sound or feel, particularly from a steepish slope.

 

That's me out of thoughts.

 

18 hours ago, CReese123 said:

Taking off in 1st gear, if I lift my foot off the clutch, at the midway/biting point I hear what's best described as a "whine" or deep pitched horn sound from the transmission area. It isn't always present. I've noticed once the car is warm and been driven a bit, the noise isn't there either.

Can we confirm, this is a manual gearbox and conventional clutch (single or dual mass flywheel) and not some form of DSG? If so, I have a possible fault, which a decent mechanic should be able to confirm.

Does this 'whining' noise happen just as the clutch starts to engage - I.e. before the vehicle actually starts to move?  

On 25/12/2024 at 12:04, Paws4Thot said:

Can we confirm, this is a manual gearbox and conventional clutch (single or dual mass flywheel) and not some form of DSG? If so, I have a possible fault, which a decent mechanic should be able to confirm.

Hello, thanks for the reply. It's a 5 speed manual gearbox, with a solid flywheel conversion (dual mass flywheel was a common fault on these cars - hence why dealers do the conversion).

On 25/12/2024 at 12:12, Warrior193 said:

Does this 'whining' noise happen just as the clutch starts to engage - I.e. before the vehicle actually starts to move?  

Hello, thanks for the reply. It happens only on startup, and when I lift my foot off the clutch to the biting point whilst in gear (the point where the car starts to move a few mph without revs). It is rather intermittent though and not noticeable from outside the vehicle itself. And as said, it doesn't do it in neutral or really in any other gears. Though, I have tested the waters by pulling off in 2nd and it's done the noise in the same fashion. Oddly enough, once driven a bit the noise isn't there at all (even on startup). I'll get a video uploaded when I have a moment. 

Edited 28 December, 20241 yr by CReese123

26 minutes ago, CReese123 said:

Hello, thanks for the reply. It's a 5 speed manual gearbox, with a solid flywheel conversion (dual mass flywheel was a common fault on these cars - hence why dealers do the conversion).

 

23 minutes ago, CReese123 said:

Hello, thanks for the reply. It happens only on startup, and when I lift my foot off the clutch to the biting point whilst in gear (the point where the car starts to move a few mph without revs). It is rather intermittent though and not noticeable from outside the vehicle itself. And as said, it doesn't do it in neutral or really in any other gears. Though, I have tested the waters by pulling off in 2nd and it's done the noise in the same fashion. Oddly enough, once driven a bit the noise isn't there at all (even on startup). I'll get a video uploaded when I have a moment. 

Ok, I can't definitely confirm this myself without a test drive (and I live near Glasgow) but this is sounding a lot like a misaligned thrust bearing.

Just now, Paws4Thot said:

 

Ok, I can't definitely confirm this myself without a test drive (and I live near Glasgow) but this is sounding a lot like a misaligned thrust bearing.

Thanks for your input. I was suspecting a worn thrust bearing oddly enough. The issue I have is that it's intermittent and that the clutch is working A-okay and engaging gears as usual. It's whether or not to throw money at it or to monitor closely going forward. 

48 minutes ago, CReese123 said:

The issue I have is that it's intermittent and that the clutch is working A-okay and engaging gears as usual

 

Clutch would operate and gear engagement would be normal even with a noisy release bearing.

 

Your noise happens when the clutch is transmitting load whilst slipping, its most likely a resonance and is likely a side affect of the non DMF flywheel.

 

It's nothing to worry about unless it becomes acute or there are other adverse symptoms.

 

A slipping clutch will make noise, it's simple physics, the NVH engineers will do their best to ensure that its not distinguishable above the general engine noise, changig to a non DMF may solve one problem but exposes you to others, noise being the least of your concerns.

On 25/12/2024 at 12:12, Warrior193 said:

Does this 'whining' noise happen just as the clutch starts to engage - I.e. before the vehicle actually starts to move?  

Yes that's correct. Doesn't do it when in Motion.

On 28/12/2024 at 17:13, J.R. said:

 

Clutch would operate and gear engagement would be normal even with a noisy release bearing.

 

Your noise happens when the clutch is transmitting load whilst slipping, its most likely a resonance and is likely a side affect of the non DMF flywheel.

 

It's nothing to worry about unless it becomes acute or there are other adverse symptoms.

 

A slipping clutch will make noise, it's simple physics, the NVH engineers will do their best to ensure that its not distinguishable above the general engine noise, changig to a non DMF may solve one problem but exposes you to others, noise being the least of your concerns.

Hello,

Thank you for this reply. The only thing I would say to you in response is that the single flywheel was installed 3yrs or so ago. And the noises I'm hearing now are fairly recent. This is why I'm concerned with the noise. The car drives as per usual though. And it's only on initial startup and from cold (engine) that I hear these noises - once it's been ran for a bit, the noise ceases. It also does not make any noise when in Motion. It only makes the noise when moving off from 0mph.

 

On 28/12/2024 at 17:13, J.R. said:

 

Clutch would operate and gear engagement would be normal even with a noisy release bearing.

 

Your noise happens when the clutch is transmitting load whilst slipping, its most likely a resonance and is likely a side affect of the non DMF flywheel.

 

It's nothing to worry about unless it becomes acute or there are other adverse symptoms.

 

A slipping clutch will make noise, it's simple physics, the NVH engineers will do their best to ensure that its not distinguishable above the general engine noise, changig to a non DMF may solve one problem but exposes you to others, noise being the least of your concerns.

Hello,

Thank you for this reply. The only thing I would say to you in response is that the single flywheel was installed 3yrs or so ago. And the noises I'm hearing now are fairly recent. This is why I'm concerned with the noise. The car drives as per usual though. And it's only on initial startup and from cold (engine) that I hear these noises - once it's been ran for a bit, the noise ceases. It also does not make any noise when in Motion. It only makes the noise when moving off from 0mph.

Hi all,

I've attached this video. Please accept my apologies for it not being better. The droning noise in the video is x10 in person and very irritating (a quite obvious "hnnnnn" noise)  on initial startup of the engine from cold. That said, you can clearly heat it from inside the car but I wouldn't say it is to the extent you would hear it outside.

Edited 4 January, 20251 yr by CReese123

On 04/01/2025 at 16:20, CReese123 said:

Hi all,

I've attached this video. Please accept my apologies for it not being better. The droning noise in the video is x10 in person and very irritating (a quite obvious "hnnnnn" noise)  on initial startup of the engine from cold. That said, you can clearly heat it from inside the car but I wouldn't say it is to the extent you would hear it outside.

Did you find a fix for this? Also could you repost the video? I fear I’m having the same issue although it’s only when taking off and only in 1st gear.

4 hours ago, Mints77 said:

Did you find a fix for this? Also could you repost the video? I fear I’m having the same issue although it’s only when taking off and only in 1st gear.

It's a quirk for the model. I'm approaching 70 thousand mileage, and it's still going strong and without issue. The noise is there but it's a waste of money to chase a "repair" that isn't causing any issue.

Edited 18 April, 20251 yr by CReese123