Annie,
Does applying slight pressure to the clutch pedal affect the noise in any
way?
Ken Lewis
http://neksiwel.20m.com/
in statu viae
----- Original Message -----
From: "Annie" <lsandrsn@GMAIL.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Thursday, May 27, 2010 4:29 PM
Subject: [VANAGON] Troubleshooting a noise

> I've had my van back from the mechanic for about a month now. All has been
> fine and everything has been operating smoothly. I've made a few longer
> trips than normal (about three 100+ mile trips) so I've put about 750-ish
> miles on it over the past 4 weeks. Normally, I drive about 450 miles a
> month.
>
> Anyway . . . a couple of days ago, I began hearing a noise once I got
> above
> 30 mph. It sounds like a turbine engine or something! Very loud rubbing
> type
> of sound and makes things kinda vibrate. The noise is definitely louder in
> the back of the van than in the front. When I step on the brakes, there is
> a
> bit of shudder initially but then it goes away.
>
> The first day I noticed it, when I got home, I put it in park, and revved
> up
> the engine to see if would make any noise and the sound wasn't there. So,
> I
> ruled out an engine issue. After everything had cooled, I checked the oil
> as
> well as the transmission fluid. The oil was fine but the tranny fluid
> seemed
> a bit a low so I followed the procedure in the Bentley for that and ended
> up
> adding about 1/4 of a bottle.
>
> I went online and searched the archives here as well as on the Samba and
> from what I read, it sounded like perhaps the seal in the final drive of
> the
> transmission might be bad. I'm not entirely sure, though, because it
> shifts
> well - no odd noises when shifting (it's an Auto trans, btw), it shifts
> smoothly and seems to operate as it should.
>
> So, last night after my mom and I went for a drive so she could hear the
> noise, we called the mechanic (who happens to be my Uncle) and he said
> perhaps it could be something else with the wheel bearings. He told me to
> let it cool down and then this morning to check the air in the tires (they
> were a bit low - 29 to 30 psi and recommended is 35 so I filled them to
> 33).
> I then drove to town on the highway as he recommended to see if there was
> any change in the noise at higher speeds.
>
> What I found is this - when I'm starting from a dead stop, there is no
> noise
> in 1st gear - everything sounds normal. If I take it nice and slow, the
> noise doesn't begin until I hit about 26-27 mph and am in Drive. BUT - if
> I
> start from a dead stop and proceed at a normal accelerating speed, the
> nose
> starts immediately after the tranny shifts to 2nd gear - regardless of
> what
> speed I'm going. At this level, though, it is not as loud but it is
> beginning.
>
> I also noticed that the sound is loudest between 26 mph and up to about 45
> with the absolute loudest being right around 30 to 35 mph. Once I get
> above
> 45, it's still there but the rumble isn't quite as reverberating and loud.
> It seems to kind a mellow out some at about 50.
>
> There is no loss of power what-so-ever and like I said, the tranny shifts
> nice and smoothly. Also should note that it has 2 brand new axles on the
> rear as well as all bearings and what-not. There is no weird feelings or
> thumping noised when turning or anything either.
>
> If anybody has any idea what it could be, please let me know!!
>
> Thanks!
>
> Be blessed,
> ~Annie
>