Engine / Clutch noise

[JGoatley]

Hello,

My 81 Euro 5 speed has a very annoying noise between 2 and 3000 rpm's. Sounds like a cricket riding in the dash. It stops immediately if you hold in the clutch pedal and continue to rev the engine in that same range. I'm guessing pilot bearing. Does this sound logical? Any other possiblilities?

[Opelotus]

Pilot bearing is only under load when the clutch is disengaged, so that's probably not the source. I'm having trouble thinking of what that noise might be, throwout bearing is a possibility but in my experience it will make noise when the clutch is engaged and get worse/louder when the clutch pedal is pressed in (bearing under load).

[JGoatley]

Thanks. That has been my experience as well as far as the throwout is concerned. It is definitely a bearing squeal that you hear if you are standing looking at the engine. Inside the car, it sounds like a cricket chirping. Very strange and very annoying as my car did not come with A/C so I have to drive with the windows open.
Could it be a bearing in the torque tube? I assumed the torque tube would only be the culprit if the car is in motion. This noise will occur with the car sitting still.

[vandenham]

The transmission is in the back so the driveshaft spins when the engine is running and the clutch engaged. It would stop spinning when you depress the clutch pedal.

Rick

[Mrmerlin]

have you washed the engine?
if so then the wash water has probably gotten into the throw out bearing and its now going to fail the water will run down the release arm at the back of the engine on the top left side where the release arm connects,
The sounds you are hearing are the throwout bearing so its time to replace it

[JGoatley]

Thanks Merlin. I have not washed the engine, but I have seen pictures from previous owner where his mechanic had pressure washed the bottom of the engine after working on some oil leaks. Looks like I will be reading up on pulling the clutch assembly.