Whining noise in 4th and 5th when accelerating

[96defender]

Hey guys and gals!
Just joined this forum as I have just purchased my very first Defender (96 model).

I am in love with my new Defender and it is in just about immaculate mechanical and cosmetic condition for its age since the previous owner had it since new and it has always been garaged, serviced and generally cared for sparing no expense.

There is one problem however. I am noticing a whining noise when accelerating (in 4th and 5th gear particularly) and stops once I take my foot off the juice. When first test driving the vehicle I thought it was just the sound of the quite large cooper tires but have since diagnosed as above. It seems to come from the left side of the engine bay and when driving. I haven't tested whether it occurs idle in neutral as I only purchased it last night.

Any help on the situation would be greatly appreciated and thankyou in advance. I'm super stoked to join the defender tribe. :D

[hans]

More than likely that you snap a manifold bolt. Normally number4-5.

[bcj]

Hi and welcome,
It's not just the turbo is it?
Just 4&5th could be gearbox I'd think- might pay to check all your oil levels, if you don't know when they were done . I'd be changing all fluids and filters first up. Also if you don't know when the timing belt was done I'd put that high on my to-do list

Brett

110 300tdi

[96defender]

Thanks guys!

No it isn't the turbo, I'm not overly mechanical but I've driven a lot of tdi's and it sounds fine. It's more of a deeper winding-up type whine in 4th and 5th gear starting at around 60kmph as far as I can tell.

I've stopped driving it and am going to get all oils and filters done this weekend. I'll also get timing belt checked although the previous owner said it was done at 200k (218000 atm).

I've also checked a few other forums and have found other people who have had the same problem. Some suggesting that it's the Spigot bearing? Anyone familiar with this problem?

Thanks again!

[djam1]

It cant be the spigot bearing as its not turning when you are in 4th and 5th gear.
If you were saying 5th gear I would suspect the bearings on 5th gear but 4th gear is just straight through so it may not be that.

[steveG]

Possibly the transfer case if its related to road speed. Have a close listen to it at the same speed in third and see if there is a hint of it (above the engine noise at that speed)

Steve

[BilboBoggles]

If you keep a constant speed say 75kmh does the tone (frequency) change if you are int 4th or 5th?

If you run it in low range - does the noise now appear at a much lower speed?

Might possibly be the front diff?

[96defender]

Thanks for your input guys! I will perform a few tests this weekend and get back to you. I appreciate the help!

[96defender]

Ok so I haven't been able to take her to get looked at yet but I've performed a few tests and made a few more discoveries.. In low range the sound doesn't appear at a lower speed, the sound appears in 3rd also at higher speed(around 50kmph) then continues in frequency the higher the speed especially in 5th however I haven't been able to go past 80kmph on local roads. I've also discovered a slight oil leak in what I think is the transfer box, I'll try attach some
photos. Due to her been garaged for 6-12 months prior to been sold and with this leak, I'm thinking she could been low on gear oil, could this be the cause of the noise?

Either way I'm getting all a full service and inspection early this week and will not be driving her until then.

Thanks guys!

[djam1]

Is the transfer case full of oil ?

[Summiitt]

My 130 had a similar sound only bad in 4th and 5th..ended up being low on transfer case oil, other suggestions were a buggered main shaft in the gearbox...lucky it wasn't!!

[Jode]

Possibly the transfer case if its related to road speed. Have a close listen to it at the same speed in third and see if there is a hint of it (above the engine noise at that speed)

Steve
That would also be my guess.

[Jode]

And welcome to the forum!

The leak at the t-box could be the bottom cover gasket but is probably the output shaft seal (either front or rear output shaft), these are a common fault.

If you don't have a good set of spanners, sockets, screwdrivers and a torque wrench - buy one! One of the great things about landies is you can get at just about everything (especially if you have the arms of a chimp - here I'm thinking about the exhaust manifold bolts on a 300 TDI...), and as a mate has said - a landie is basically an agricultural implement, which makes it suitable for farm-yard repairs.

The sound, as suggested, could be low oil in the t-box but could also just be bearing wear. But check the level - take off the filler plug 1/2 way up the rear left-hand side of the t-box and if nothing drips out, stick your finger in the hole and try to sense where the level is. If you can't feel the oil the level is definitely low.

[96defender]

Once again thanks for all the input guys! So I took her to the mechanic today to check the oil levels and fill the transfer case. He said topped it up but said it wasn't significantly low. And the whining noise has not gone away. He also pointed out a few other problems which I would like to get a little info/advice on if possible..

These were:
- Whine in gearbox/diff area 3rd 4th and 5th
- Oil leak between gear box and transfer case
- Passenger side front axle seal leaking, brakes coated in oil
- Front rotors worn below min thickness
- P/steer low pressure hose
- Ball joint on top of diff worn

I guess I'm a little disheartened that she wasn't in as good nick as I thought :confused: and would like to know if these are common problems AND roughly how much I'm in for?

Thanks for the help guys, I appreciate it.

[uninformed]

Once again thanks for all the input guys! So I took her to the mechanic today to check the oil levels and fill the transfer case. He said topped it up but said it wasn't significantly low. And the whining noise has not gone away. He also pointed out a few other problems which I would like to get a little info/advice on if possible..

These were:
- Whine in gearbox/diff area 3rd 4th and 5th
- Oil leak between gear box and transfer case
- Passenger side front axle seal leaking, brakes coated in oil
- Front rotors worn below min thickness
- P/steer low pressure hose
- Ball joint on top of diff worn

I guess I'm a little disheartened that she wasn't in as good nick as I thought :confused: and would like to know if these are common problems AND roughly how much I'm in for?

Thanks for the help guys, I appreciate it.

#2 = rear main seal on gearbox most probably.

#3 front hub seal. Quite easy to replace, worse case stub axle/spindle oil seal surface is no good = new stub axle/spindle or speedy sleave.

#4 brakes wear out, new rotors will fix that.....

#5 you can repair your own return line hose. Cut off the crimps carefully and get good new hose and hose clamps.

#6 these wear out also. You can get new ones that are greaseable and adjustable for wear. The MD units are not cheap but are good. M R Automotive make them.

[Jode]

Once again thanks for all the input guys! So I took her to the mechanic today to check the oil levels and fill the transfer case. He said topped it up but said it wasn't significantly low. And the whining noise has not gone away. He also pointed out a few other problems which I would like to get a little info/advice on if possible..

These were:
- Whine in gearbox/diff area 3rd 4th and 5th
- Oil leak between gear box and transfer case
- Passenger side front axle seal leaking, brakes coated in oil
- Front rotors worn below min thickness
- P/steer low pressure hose
- Ball joint on top of diff worn

I guess I'm a little disheartened that she wasn't in as good nick as I thought :confused: and would like to know if these are common problems AND roughly how much I'm in for?

Thanks for the help guys, I appreciate it.
No real worries, these are common wear isues on defenders. Landies work best if kept religiously maintained, if they're not then you get accelerated wear in various bits. But all of the above are DIY-able, if you've got the time (my biggest frustration), tools and interest.