Gang,

When in gear and dropping revs (say, coming to a stop or slowing down), my transmission is making a strange sound. It happens only when the revs are dropping. The noise starts at about 4,500 rpm and ceases below 3,500 rpm. There is no noise while accelerating, and there is none if I rev to 4,500 in neutral and let it drop. Again, it only happens while in gear, which is why it seems to me to be the tranny. The sound reminds me of the noise when you use scissiors, a type of shearing sound. It is not very loud, with no grinding sounds. Sounds a little like a belt rubbing.

Also, there are no other problem symptoms (temps normal, no leaks, no dash lights, etc.). Further, I do not have the heat or air conditioning on.

Any ideas? I'd appreciate any thoughts.

Thanks in advance!

Chris Just a guess--but it might be a good idea to check the tranny mount(s). Failures have been noted before, and the combination of no support and a mechenical resonance at some speed/load condtions could produce the kind of rubbing noise you describe. Maybe its the infamous shifter rattle? Took the car out again for a bit. Paid a bit more attention to the sound and I'd say it sounds more like a whistle/squeak. It sounds very much like brake squeal when you get to the last bit of pad material. Alternatively, it sounds like a fan belt squeal. It does not sound very metallic, with no rattle. Very high pitched.

Would a tranny mount issue make that sound? Perhaps the clutch?

Thanks,

Chris Oh - and this is different than what's been described in the "bloody metallic rattle" thread.

My squeak/squeal is not coming from the interior or the dash.

It does not seem to have any relationship to the shifter cables.

The sound seems to be coming from the engine compartment on the driver's side (from what I can hear in the cockpit).

Thanks...

Chris Another thing I've noticed is that it only occurs once the car is fully warmed up (over ten miles of driving). Also, it only occurs once I've been on the cams. For example, if I rev to 5,500 and let it drop, it will only make the sound if I've been on the cams previously in the drive. If not, it won't make the sound.

Chris Sorry, Chris, but I have no clue. British, lucas card carrying, don't feed them after midnight or get them wet, Gremlins.


Honestly, No clue. Chris, it sounds to me like the beginning of the weld breaking on the Stage II exhaust. If it is, don't worry, it will get worse. Try hitting the exhaust pipe tips with the side of your fist and listen for a buzzy vibration. At the beginning, you'll only get it when the engine is warm and everything has expanded. Thanks Terry. Doesn't seem to be the exhaust. It is not a resonant or buzzy sound. Much higher pitched. Chris,

I take that back. My Elite (I know, it has nothing to do with the Elise other than it was built in the same place) has a similar issue where at certain speeds it makes a droning sound. It's the differential. I had it serviced but it continues to occur. I've been told that "they just do that". Take this for what you will. I get the same thing, exactly. When your moving, it sounds like a belt slipping, but if you're in the garage revving up to +/- 4500 rpm it sounds more metallic. Not in the cockpit, definitely in the back. Don has the fix, he just won't tell.

While there is some noise from or transmitted through the shift cables I still believe most of this is tranny noise and is normal. Don has the fix, he just won't tell.

While there is some noise from or transmitted through the shift cables I still believe most of this is tranny noise and is normal.

A report has been made, I have a protocol I'm stuck with. Sorry I wish I could help more. All the best, Don. Don has the fix, he just won't tell.

While there is some noise from or transmitted through the shift cables I still believe most of this is tranny noise and is normal.
Unfortunately, it is definitely not normal. I have two Elise - one runs great. The other makes this wicked noise. Still trying to find a day to get it to the shop. Will report once I hear what it is. Gang,

When in gear and dropping revs (say, coming to a stop or slowing down), my transmission is making a strange sound. It happens only when the revs are dropping. The noise starts at about 4,500 rpm and ceases below 3,500 rpm. There is no noise while accelerating, and there is none if I rev to 4,500 in neutral and let it drop. Again, it only happens while in gear, which is why it seems to me to be the tranny. The sound reminds me of the noise when you use scissiors, a type of shearing sound. It is not very loud, with no grinding sounds. Sounds a little like a belt rubbing.

Also, there are no other problem symptoms (temps normal, no leaks, no dash lights, etc.). Further, I do not have the heat or air conditioning on.

Any ideas? I'd appreciate any thoughts.

Thanks in advance!

Chris
I think I had a similar problem... a very annoying metallic buzz that seemed to be produced by the resonance created when decelerating from around 4000 rpm to 3000 rpm while in gear. It also occured at other times. After 2 trips to Newport European, they found, and corrected, 2 problems: A crack in the Stage II tip bracket and a sheer panel that was in contact with the fuel tank. The latter (sheer panel), was what I believe is the problem with a LOT of Elises because it is a design flaw (hard to diagnose, but EASY to fix!). They reshaped the sheer panel to move it away from the gas tank and problem solved!! My Elise sounds smooth and tight... FINALLY!! Oh yeah... see this thread for more info:

"Stan: fix found for the 'metallic rattle'?" Gang,

Update...

Stopped by Rothrock last night on the way home and took Shawn out for a quick spin to show him what's been happening. He seems to think it might be a pulley. The idea is that one of the pulleys on the motor might be shifting when I go to the second cam, and once it's out of place, it's out of place the rest of the drive. The pulley might be loose, shifted, etc. That would explain the beltlike screech. Sounds plausible to me. Going to leave it there for a day as soon as I can get a day to drop it off.

This seems to be the only instance of this problem I've seen on eTalk.

Also, it's definitely not the metallic rattle listed in the other thread.

Chris

A breakthrough! Hopefully the fix will be quickly here. Doug,

Yeah, Hopefully this is the problem. Didn't strike Shawn as a big deal - probably just an adjustment.

He said I just missed you yesterday. How about all the Elise on the lot? Two COs, a yellow, and a ST. They seem to be having a lot of difficulty moving them. The CO's apparently have been there quite a while.