Help - Horrible noise

[simonriley11]

Help- Whilst driving home in my S130/5 there was a sudden loud medium pitched squealing noise that seemed to be coming from the gearbox area. I was cruising in fifth at 75-80 mph and had been doing so for about 1 hour. As I slowed down I changed down to fourth and the noise stopped (I think) and as it was dark and very wet I carried on at 40mph. The whole episode seemed to last about 5 seconds and all the instruments read normally. The noise did nor re-occurr for the rest of my journey (about 20 miles) and I tried fifth again and it was fine, in fact as I got closer to home I tried all I could do to make it re-occur and it didn't (including going back up to 80mph). The only fault I know of in the gearbox is that the synchro has gone on third. It allegedly had a rebuild 9000 miles ago but there is no detail as to what was done and the company who did it were not Lotus or gearbox specialists. Oh and I recently changed the oil to Redline MTL which improved the gearchange but not the third gear synchro!
Any ideas anyone?

[rgh0]

The clutch throwout thrust bearing can squeal if it lightly contacts the clutch due to insufficient clearance. This can occur intermittently depending on engine speed, temperature, vibration etc

Rohan

[john.p.clegg]

Has anyone seen my "timmy",a tortoiseshell neutered pussycat,she goes out to play most nights but hasn't returned since the other night when I saw Simon going out for a spin.......
John

[elansprint]

I agree with Rohan i guess it is clutch release bearing squealing. Sorry john you will have to look elsewhere for the cat

Ian

[types26/36]

Help- as it was dark and very wet

I realize you said the noise appeared to come from the g/box but could it have been a slipping alternator belt due to the water?
Just a thought.
Brian

[types26/36]

Simon,
Just had another thought, you say it was raining, were you using the heater fan (demisting) and the wipers?
My heater fan motor sometimes screeches if it has not been used for some time, or could it have been the wiper motor?
Brian

[trw99]

John

I do not live in a +2 gearbox. I am not neutered (four kids). I am not a pussycat. I am lightly tanned. I saw Simon going for a spin and kept out of the way.

Tiger Tim