Grumbling noise at idle

EPM

Need a bit of advice,

I noticed last night when the car was idling that theres a grumbling noise coming from the engine. Popped the bonnet and there is definitely something not quite right. When I hit the clutch it disappears though and idles without any noise. The noise isn't very loud but still noticeable (by me anyway).

Anyone have a clue what it could possibly be? Something that should be brought to a garage ASAP or can maybe drop it in for an early service? Just will be covering a thousand km's in next couple of days and am in two minds...

Car is 2006 Seat Leon 1.6 with 78k km

DublinWriter

Did you check your oil level?

EPM

Oil levels fine, checked her at the weekend. I'll do a double check next nicotene break!

Tipsy Mac

Did u have the air con on, could be that. Is it happening when the engine is up to temperature or cold, could be the fan kicking in to cool it.

Discodog

As it disappears when the clutch is disingaged it sounds like gearbox. Maybe the oil level in the gearbox is low.

EPM

Tipsy Mac wrote: »

Did u have the air con on, could be that. Is it happening when the engine is up to temperature or cold, could be the fan kicking in to cool it.

Air con was on alright, but noise is still present when disengaged. Is there a seperate clutch on this system? Had a suspision it might have something to do with it but not the best mechanically

Happened after a 5 min drive last night from house to gym (car was up to temp but only just)

gyppo

Sounds like a clutch release bearing to me.

EPM

gyppo wrote: »

Sounds like a clutch release bearing to me.

Just off the phone from where I bought it for advice and thats his hunch too!

Bugger sh1t fcuk

gyppo

Well, a lot of people would live with this, and its something that might not get any worse. My missus's fiesta had the same complaint for the last 18 months, and it hasnt got any worse.

If you do decide to get it done, get a new clutch fitted while you are at it, as the labour costs involved will be much the same - ie its not going to csot you much more anyway.

Ferris

My grandfather had a honda civic with a rumbling clutch release brg for two years. It eventually turned from a rumbling to a howl. We just scrapped the car in the end. Although that was more down to him not really being able to see properly and taking a traffic island out with the car

EPM

Thats what the garage suggested alright and I'd probably go along with it. I depend on my car so might be best to preempt it failing. I'll see how it goes for the next week or so. It's def a bit noisier this morning I think so may not be much time left in it.

How do these actually go? The car isn't thrashed and I dont ride the clutch at all. Is it just one of those things?

Ferris

EPM wrote: »

How do these actually go? The car isn't thrashed and I dont ride the clutch at all. Is it just one of those things?

Just one of those things really, probably a manufacturing fault in the bearing, not that you could prove it. Did you try contacting your Seat dealer to see if they would do something out of goodwill, since its only a 3yr old car?

On the noise issue, once you become aware of an problem its likely that the noise will appear louder to you because you listen for it more.

EPM

Ferris wrote: »

My grandfather had a honda civic with a rumbling clutch release brg for two years. It eventually turned from a rumbling to a howl. We just scrapped the car in the end. Although that was more down to him not really being able to see properly and taking a traffic island out with the car

:eek:

EPM

Ferris wrote: »

Just one of those things really, probably a manufacturing fault in the bearing, not that you could prove it. Did you try contacting your Seat dealer to see if they would do something out of goodwill, since its only a 3yr old car?

On the noise issue, once you become aware of an problem its likely that the noise will appear louder to you because you listen for it more.

I might give it a try. It's got a FSH (not all with Seat as it was supplied new by a non Seat dealer) and always been done ahead of the time too. All receipts and everything in the folder:o

BrianD3

If you leave the clutch pedal fully pressed in for long periods while stopped in traffic AFAIK it can wear the clutch mechanism. If I'm going to be stopped for more than ~10 seconds I put the car in neutral and take my foot off the clutch. Current clutch has 199k miles on it

EPM

I'm the same, never leave it in gear. Usually neutral and handbrake up. Only takes a split second longer to get moving! Main dealer said 500-750 for clutch there...said they'd do a free inspection so i'll take em up on that

Ferris

EPM wrote: »

I'm the same, never leave it in gear. Usually neutral and handbrake up. Only takes a split second longer to get moving! Main dealer said 500-750 for clutch there...said they'd do a free inspection so i'll take em up on that

Thats a reasonable price. Cost my da 1k to get an Audi A6 tdi clutch done in an independant recently.

Edit: Get a written quote if you can

EPM

Ferris wrote: »

Thats a reasonable price. Cost my da 1k to get an Audi A6 tdi clutch done in an independant recently.

Edit: Get a written quote if you can

Good advice that! He wasn't mad keen to give an exact price for the job (obviously without seeing it) but in fairness he said he'd cut a deal if I get a service done at the same time

EPM

Holy Fook

Clutch:
420 - Labour
10 - gearbox oil
227 - Clutch
59.98 - Release bearing
96.79 - VAT
813.77 - Total

Full service 220, 4xpads 215.75

Total spend due €1249.52

Fair enough on serive and pads but I'll def be shopping around on that clutch because it's getting noisier:rolleyes: