Hi All

1st of all, I am posting this onto a new thread because I could not find similar scenario through the search.

Mine is a 1996 TE Altera 2.4 manual, has done 178k. Recently, there is a clunking sound appearing to come from the gearbox area near the firewall. (initially started about a month ago and slowly got worse)

When in neutral, the rate of the clunking sound increases with an increase of the rev and sometime goes away. Goes away over 4000rpm.

When car is mobile and is moving through gears, the clunking is louder on 1st, 2nd and 3rd (basically louder on mechanical load). But once the car is travelling at around 80kmh or more in the 5th, the sound disappears, only re-appearing on low speed during engine breaking.

The most important fact is that the sound completely disappears while clutched out during either stationary or mobile!

Any idea as to where the fault is?
Cost of repair (parts + labour)?

Please help!

possibally motor engine mount could be worn?

How long has it been since you've had the fluid replaced? and where about's are you?

which fluid? gear oil? Never, since I owned this when it was 125k on the clock. But rest of the fluids are all ok. I change engine oil + filter every 10k or less.

I am in Sydney near Ingleburn.

I get the feeling it is something between the clutch and the gears (remember when I depress the clutch all the way and stay like that, the sound totally goes away regardless of the engine rev, car stationary or mobile)

sounds like a bearing has gone inside the gearbox i had a similar sound when i blew the gearbox up in my old te 2.4 id change the gearbox fluid and see if that makes a difference

I am going to take it to the mechanic, but dont wanna get rip off.

Any other thoughts as to what could go wrong? could it just be the clutch components?

Anyways, what is likely cost involved for a reco gearbox + labour, or a clutch kit + labour?

thanks in advance.

Ok. I went to a gearbox specialist in Prestons. He checked it out. it happeded to be a busted bearing (and possibly be more than one) in the gearbox.

for $1200, he's going to reco my exsisting gearbox, new fluid, check the clutch etc. he's giving me 12 months warranty on both parts and labour.

what do you think?

I try to start simple when diagnosing weird sounds. Like, when there's a "clunk" try not to think its a sign you need a new transmission. Without hearing the "clunk" its hard to tell what it might be. It could be something simple. Look for the obvious; anything loose, broken, worn or leaking. After that, start thinking internal and big dollars.

The fact the clunk appears on upshifts and deceleration points to a dead engine mount as per pwn3d_69er's suggestion. A dead engine mount should be easy to spot. Grab a good torch and get in there, have a look.

I already gave him the job and left the car with him assuming its the bearing in the gearbox. I am pickin it up tomorrow. I would be kicking myself if it really was worn engine mounts instead.
On a side note, this magna also has a sunroof (did not look like it was factory sunroof) which lets water through on heavy rain these days!! bummer!

$1200 sounds good for a reco gear box fitted with a new clutch.

No, the price did not include a new clutch though. He reckoned the existing clutch was good. cheers