Transmission / Engine Sound (whine)

So, I just picked up a 1999 C2 wtih 105K miles. Well maintained and good condition. I'm the third owner. But I have noticed that there is a bit of whine to what I think is the transmission, especially in the lower gears going down the street at 30 mph. I'm trying to determine if this is normal or if this is a sign of something that needs attention, and if so, what... I know it's hard to know from a video, but I'd like to get some thoughts and options on it. Here's a couple of videos. The "whine" is louder in person than here on the video, so crank up the volume. Transmission Whine 2 - YouTube 996 Transmission whine 1 - YouTube

weird, i used the Youtube tags but that didn't work, not it works.

Check out "996 pinion bearing noise" on youtube.

No video...

Without watching the videos, all I can say is that my '99 C2 with 87k miles doesn't whine at all at any speed. The gearbox was rebuilt while the 2nd owner (before me) owned the car, so I can't say how indicative it is of my 87k miles. But, it is dead quiet cold or hot. In general, my gearbox requires a bit more decisiveness than gearboxes in American, Japanese or Italian cars that I've driven over the years. i.e. it likes to be shifted precisely and quickly if you want it to synchronize without using the synchros themselves (presumably due to the relatively light flywheel which causes the engine to lose rpm rapidly).

I've updated the video links. Had to figure out how to NOT use the Youtube tags. I tired searching for Pinion noise but didn't find anything or anything that sounded like it. The noise sounds like the whine cars have when going in reverse. That's about my best explanation to what it sounds like. There is a similar sound to the engine itself, when I rev it, even in neutral. But its louder when driving. When I push the clutch or put it in neutral the whine goes away and the car can coast silently.

Are you sure it's from the transmission and not the engine? I've heard similar whine from other's engines. Do you get the same noise when revving the engine in neutral?

Ah, our msgs crossed. As far as I remember, no one reported they found the cause of the whine from the engine and appararently their engines are healthy and nothing to worry about. i.e., I've never seen a post that said they heard this whine before the engine blew up.

It could be the engine as it's present, but not as loud, when i just rev it. The PO had the water pump changed just before I got it so I'll take it back to that shop and have them look at it, maybe a tight belt... But the sound is there when I'm not revving but have the car in gear, when i take it out of gear it goes away.

That's good news hehe. Also, the car had the LN Engineering IMS bearing replaced a year ago (10K miles)

Check to see if that noise still exist while someone press the gas pedal for you while parked. If the noise persists then it's probably coming from the engine if not, then it could be related to your transmission.

Mine does the same thing. I plan on having it refurbished in a year or two, but I can't afford it now.

Pcst, I'm not sure I understood what you meant by "while someone press the gas pedal for you while parked." why can't I do that myself? A whine is still there but does not appear to be as loud.

I'm thinking maybe it's an engine sound. I was driving it around today and I tried to push the clutch and keeping the same amount of throttle and the sound stayed the same.

Quotes source post: 11145799

Have you tried taking off the serpentine belt and recheck? That will eliminate all the accesories and pulleys. A couple of minutes should be fine w/o water pump spinning.

I haven't tried that yet, but I will soon. I have to replace the belt as they don't know when it was last changed. I did take it to the shop today, House Automotive in Pasadena, which by the way is an awesome shop. They took it in, tested it and I sat in the car with the mechanic as he went around the block with it. The answer seems to be: this is normal. So I think I just made it louder in my head fearing that it was something serious. But I will keep searching for an answer. Now on to the next: wind noise from driver window. Need to adjust it. And the passenger seat shakes a lot, in idle around 700 rpms and going highway speeds. Odd. Need to look into that. Thanks

Check your engine mounts for pax seat vibrating. Do your tail pipes hang lower than others? Some vibration is normal though. Spark plugs have been changed?

Quotes source post: 11145095

Sorry, was typing on my phone when I left that msg. What I meant was, so that you can get close to the engine while opening the trunk lid. Glad to hear that the shop thinks it's normal, but as always I would get a second opinion just to be darn sure.

Change the trans oil at your next service....