It's been a while since I've been on here, good to be back. Question for 'yall...

I have a '97 XLT, 5-speed. I just noticed tonight that I have a slight whirring noise when the truck is in 3rd and 5th gear. It's more pronounced in 3rd gear. It's not too loud... I barely noticed 3rd over the radio. But it's new and considering I have 175k miles, a bit scary.

I checked the tranny fluid through the fill hole. Had some drain out when I got the filler bolt off, so I don't think it's a fluid level issue. I did note that the fluid was almost black (though it wasn't exactly a bright sunny day under the truck... I'm in the dark with a flashlight here).

Any thoughts on what it could be? I got the truck at 115k mi and never had the tranny fluid flushed/replaced. Don't know if the prior owner ever did that. I don't have any particular inclination on flusing/not-flushing, but I've read a lot of "if it's never changed, never change it" when it comes to tranny fluid.

 

with a manual transmission, there is no such thing as flushing.

probably due for a fluid change but, as far as the noise, it could likely be the synchros on their way out. take it to a trans shop and let them drive it, see what they say.

i don't konw if you are inclined to have someone else remove, rebuild, and re-install the trans, or if you'll do the remove and install, but get the trans done at a shop. if you take it back to them after you re-install it, and let them check it over, they'll usually give warranty just the same.

good time to install a new clutch too!

 

It may run a long time like that, but it's on its way out. I milked a 93 like that for a few months, but it finally died. 4th will stay smooth, so use that as much as possible. Plan for a tranny replacement/rebuild.

 

Mine did the same thing when it ran out of fluid ha ha ha, then on the highway one day I lost the big ol' first gear you need. Chewed right through it.

 

Ugh. I was hoping not to hear something like that. Thanks for the replies guys. I'm hoping this truck will last me a few more years until I can get enough saved up to get a new one.

 

Hey mines been making that whirring noise for a while now (like 2 years) and the trans shop said it wasn't my synchro's it was just the noise of the trans and personally i have never had any problems with my trans not doing what its supposed to do.

 

mileage I'd suspect both mainshaft bearings, particularly the input brg. These sit high up in the trans hsg. and are very sensitive to lack of lubrication. Not that I am saying that you've neglected the oil level, it's just that this shaft and brgs. do not have the luxury of being submerged in gear oil like the counter and reverse idler shafts do
I have a bud who ignored this noise until the inevitable happened on his Mazda B-2300 truck, the bearing seized at 60 mph, destroyed his entire trans
Look into it ASAP