[CorsePerVita]

I swear lately this car is wanting to test my patience. However, I refuse to give up on the car. I've fixed so many things and it's been so much fun to drive. It performs well now, hesitation is gone, I fixed the exhaust, new O2 and she purrs like a kitten. This car finally runs like it should.

But I've developed a new issue.

A few days ago when leaving work I heard a strange rattling sound coming from behind me. I thought I was crazy so I turned my stereo down to listen, but it went away. I pulled up to the stop sign and pushed in the clutch. For a moment I heard a really strange whirring noise. The engine rpms had not changed, but there was an odd rattle/whir sound.

I pulled over, put the car in neutral, popped the engine lid and manipulated the throttle. I could not hear the sound, it was gone.

I got back in and the sound was still gone.

I drove home and about 2 blocks from my house at a stop I heard it again. Another rattle noise. I pulled over again, popped the engine lid to listen and manipulated the throttle. I absolutely could not hear it from the back of the car. I got in but I could hear it a little bit.

Oddly enough, I just got back from the exhaust shop and the sound hasn't at all presented itself to me until /after/ this was done. But I was there the entire time watching the car worked on and checked it out after they were done, nothing was changed, damaged, hurt, scratched. So I figure this must be an odd coincidence.

This morning again as I left from work I came to the same stop sign and hear the sound. This time, however, I brought the throttle up a little more and the sound became VERY evident to hear. 2500-3000rpms was this horrible metallic grinding noise (mind you I'm now stopped, clutch in, 1st gear). I put it in neutral and tried to see if the sound went away by letting out the clutch (suspecting perhaps a throwout bearing) and the sound changed a little bit, however, I could still hear it ever so slightly, not as bad albeit, but still hear it.

I'm starting to lean towards a throwout bearing that is making contact with the guide tube. However, the clutch feels fine, I feel no grit, I feel no bad response.

The sound appears to get better once the car warms up. However, I'm still very baffled. The car has started to make the sound a little bit and slowly has become worse until this morning it had me worried.