Whirring noise

[Tim]

I just got back in town, and picked up my '91L from the ranch where it sat for 2 months.

Over the summer it seems to have developed an unpleasent noise.

When I go upwards of 35 mph in any gear, I can hear this loud whirring, sort of like that a bearing would make when it's on its way out.

The noise will go away in neutral or when I push in the clutch. It will also die down if I take my foot off the gas, but starts back up as soon as I push on the pedal. Revving the engine does not produce the noise - only when the car is in gear do I hear it.

My first guess was the accessory drivebelt, which I replaced and tightened, but that didn't help.

My uncle thinks it may be the alternator or water pump going out, but if it were then wouldn't I hear the whirring noise at certain RPMs, whether the engine is in gear or not?

I can't really tell where the noise is coming from - it is not specific to any side of the engine compartment (at least from what I hear in the car).

My guess is that it's something in the transmission going out, which is unfortunate for me because I just got the damn thing replaced.


Any ideas?


Regards,

Tim

[mechanicaldj]

first check the fluid in the transmission

then jack the front end up , with jack stands, test drive the car with a brick on the gas pedal(because we all know you have no friends )

and check the noise yourself

[Tim]

I finally got around to jacking the car up and it's the transmission. There's plenty of fluid in it.

I've driven the car about 2500 miles since then with no problems, and since I have a backup vehicle I might as well drive the Festiva until something blows out.