Strange noise

CHRISTINA SMITH2

MEMBER
2006 VOLKSWAGEN GTI
2.0L
4 CYL
TURBO
FWD
MANUAL
70,000 MILES

I have a noise coming from under the car. It is something that spins, and it does not make the noise when the clutch is in. It sounds like a tin can clinking when I start from a stop and when slowing, regardless of whether or not I am applying the brakes. The sound stops when I get to about ten mph and above. Occasionally I "feel" a clunk right in the center of the floorboard, like under the gear shifter.

1 Reply

CARADIODOC

MECHANIC
33,879 POSTS

Well, I've been thinking about this for over a day! You need a live person to listen to this and as a start, identify the area of the car the noise is coming from. One thing to consider is there should be a stamped steel inspection cover in front of the transmission. Sometimes they are not installed exactly right and a corner can hit on the flywheel and make a variety of noises. That by itself won't hurt anything other than your pride.

The "throw-out" bearing for the clutch could be making the noise too. Typically they make a growling noise when you have the clutch pedal pushed down, and that is due to a worn / rusty / pitted bearing assembly, but they can also make a high-pitched rattle when they get sloppy and all the grease is gone out of them. Your "tin can" description would match that.

Also, loose exhaust heat shields can rattle at various times and be quiet at other times. Those have also been described as "something rotating".