Trying to diagnose a worrying noise.....

[Shaft]

Hi all,

I've just bought a 206 SW XT, 1.4 petrol which i knew needed some severe TLC as a project to keep me busy and out from under the wife's feet.

Right then, the problem (well one of many!) There's a very strange noise whilst driving, no matter what speed, what gear or engine temp etc. It's a rotational type noise is the best way i can describe it, but a severe mechanical one rather than something catching if you get my drift.
If i press the clutch it vanishes instantly, if i coast in neutral it vanishes.
If i drive trying to match the revs to the road speed (no load on the engine and any gear), again, it goes.
The noise is in time with road speed, but revs make no difference and the faster i go the worse it is. Around 60 mph it's almost unbearable to listen too.

I've had the car up on axle stands today and with the wheels driving tried to pinpoint it, but too no avail. It is audible everywhere.
I have now stripped out the gearbox to check the clutch, bearing etc and all is in good order. Slightly worn on the fingers of the cover and the bearing isn't as new, but is by no means noisy or loose.
I've checked the diff and all seems good, same with the input shaft, no play or backlash is evident. I stripped out the splined centre of the friction plate and welded it to a 10mm bolt which i put in my drill to spin the box up. All seems ok??

I hope thats enough info for somebody with far more knowledge than me to hopefully assist.
I'm at a loss at the minute Am going to pull the engine out tomorrow after work so i can renew the front crank oil seal and do the timing belt / aux belt etc. I'll probably pull the sump off also to clean it out and see if the end of the dipstcik is in their?
If i find anything wrong with the timing belt / tensioners as i go, hopefully i might just of found the problem?

Many thanks in advance,

Nick.

[nige65]

Hello

I am not a mech or anything but sounds clutch related does the starter motor stay engaged on your model just a thought .

[davidireland]

Whats the driveshaft bearing like?

[Shaft]

"I am not a mech or anything but sounds clutch related does the starter motor stay engaged on your model just a thought"


I'm not convinced it's the clutch? but i could be wrong? it's getting a new one anyway as a matter of course.
Starter motor? pass, I'm afraid.

"Whats the driveshaft bearing like?"


It seems ok to be honest? if anything it's perhaps a tad tight? I had to drift it out of its housing though! god it was tight. I used a blunt ended air chisel rather than trashing it with a lump hammer!

Can i replace the bearing or is it the whole driveshaft only?

Regards,

Nick.

[davidireland]

You can replace the bearing seperately.

[Shaft]

Thanks for the replies guys, i'll have a good look at the diff.

[Gibbo]

I had a petrol 306 a few years ago that did this. It was the driveshaft. Local garages wouldn't change it because it wasn't knocking when full lock was on.

[Shaft]

All sorted now.

After stripping the gearbox, as i was convinced it must be the problem after checking every thing else, i found the output shaft bearing next to the final drive pinion was completely tatered!
Ordered a full set of new bearings & seals and also a new set of Planet gears for the diff, so should be good as new once rebuilt.

I took the opportunity to also whip the engine out whilst waiting for the bearings etc to arrive. Gave it a good clean, flushed out the water and oil ways, removed and cleaned out the sump (found the broken dipstick end!) and fitted a new front crank oilseal, timing belt, tensioner and water pump.
Just waiting for the aux belt and tensioners to come now then its rebuild time.