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Engine and gearbox vibration/noise

To: jonb@oasis.icl.co.uk (Jon Bradshaw)
Subject: Engine and gearbox vibration/noise
From: paisley@cme.nist.gov (Scott Paisley)
Date: Wed, 9 Oct 91 10:12:09 EDT
Jon Bradshaw writes:
 >      As I accelerate in any gear I start to get excessive vibration
 >      from the engine/gearbox/steering wheel.  At about 3500 revs the
 >      engine note becomes noticably harsher and the gearstick starts
 >      vibrate, it feels like the car is going to shake its self to bits!

I would try to isolate the problem a bit, by:

1) rev the car up in the driveway to 3000 rpms.  Any harsh noise or
vibration?  That might point to an engine problem / flywheel.

2) Get up to speed on an open road without other cars/noise.  Put the
car in neutral and let the engine idle down to 1000 rpms.  Steering
wheel still shaking?  Hear nasty noise?  That would lead me to believe
that your tires are out of round, or brake rotors, or suspension
problems, but the engine/trans may be ok.  If the car shakes in
neutral at speed, I would get my tires balanced, and a front end
alignment, which is a cheap solution! 

3) To find out about gearbox noise, put the back end on jack stands
and start your car.  Put it in gear, let out the clutch, and listen to
the trans.  I wouldn't crawl under the car unless it's on a lift, but
if you should be able to hear some not so good noises from the trans
if you have a serious trans problem, like a bad bearing squeel or
something of that nature.

Of course there is no load on the engine or trans, so these tests
might mislead you.  Basically the will tell you if something is wrong,
but not if something is working correctly.

Good luck!
---
"Now what, I say what's the big idea bashin me on the noggin with a
rolling pin?  Clunk enough people and we'll have a nation of lump heads!"
                                                    -- Foghorn Leghorn

Scott Paisley        paisley@cme.nist.gov      ..!uunet!cme-durer!paisley



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