Clutch howl?

[spongo]

Hey guys,
I've been getting a dry howl when changing gear under load for the last few weeks. It does not happen during normal driving, only when either changing down when decelerating or when using higher revs than normal when accelerating. Obviously, this is my precious van and I don't drive it like a teenage caffeine freak, it gets treated with respect! I only say this to give you a realistic idea of the forces I'm talking about in the transmission. It sounds like brake howl but lower in pitch, and takes place in the gear change at the point that the plates bite, and increases from a quiet 'hoot' under gentle load, to a pronounced 'howl' under slightly more load. The problem does not seem to be worsening (as you'd expect from a worn clutch). I am wondering if my vehicle may have been fitted with a limited slip clutch which is developing a fault, as its a T4 Syncro and I've seen articles relating to Syncros being fitted with 'oiling plate clutches' to protect the transmissions. Has anyone either suffered from this themselves or come across it on other vans?
Thanks guys

[kevtherev]

reads like your clutch release bearing is worn out... were it a T25 2wd
Available from GSF
or take the opportunity to replace the entire clutch with a kit that includes the bearing, about £85 from GSF for the clutch kit.

[Ian Hulley]

as its a T4 Syncro

You may be asking in the wrong section, we tend to be T25 monkeys here ... I'd try the Syncro forum or even the T4 forum.

[spongo]

The T4 syncro is an odd beast. T4 bods tell me to go Syncro and vice versa. I'm just spread betting. I think the symptom is probably a universal one.

[Ian Hulley]

Does the noise increase/decrease or change at all when you dip the clutch ?

[spongo]

The sound literally comes in at the clutch bite and if I dip the clutch (which I do instinctively) it cuts straight away. It only sounds when I'm changing under load. It doesn't make the noise during normal driving.

[spongo]

Thanks Ian,
it's looking that way mate

[kevtherev]

thats ok happy to help

[Ian Hulley]

[spongo]

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