Whiny Screechy Noise when in 1st-4th Gear

madaz

Hi everyone, my first post here. I recently bought a 2009 Z Touring w/Nav 6MT in March with about 43K miles on it and I noticed that when I'm driving in 1st - 4th gear there's a little whiny, screechy noise faintly behind the engine noise but still noticeable. The noise is pretty much gone in 5th or 6th Gear. Is this normal and if not, what is causing it? My buddy and I can't seem to figure it out.

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My 2009 Nissan 370Z Touring w/ Nav Pearl White 6MT
Tints 17% Front, 5% Back | Plastidipped Emblems | JDM Rear Fog Light Installed

FuTuRe is Z

My car has a bit of gear whine, I notice it in 3rd and 4th a bit, not sure what the cause is, or if it's normal.

madaz

No one else has experienced this? It makes the city drive kinda annoying, I only hear it above 3000 RPM.

__________________
My 2009 Nissan 370Z Touring w/ Nav Pearl White 6MT
Tints 17% Front, 5% Back | Plastidipped Emblems | JDM Rear Fog Light Installed

TreeSemdyZee

I'd change the tranny oil as a first step. If the previous owner didn't you're overdue.

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madaz

Thanks. I'll look into that. Any other things that might cause this?

__________________
My 2009 Nissan 370Z Touring w/ Nav Pearl White 6MT
Tints 17% Front, 5% Back | Plastidipped Emblems | JDM Rear Fog Light Installed

Haboob

I don't recall hearing anything. I'll try driving w/o music tonight to see, but it doesn't sound like it's normal.

Is it coming from the gearbox area? Or maybe it's related to the ECU whine that's been going around?

dislimn

Have you been violently launching the car? After I launched my 5.0 Mustang about 20 times it whined like an eaton in 1-4

forza370z

ECU whiny?

whining

Had FIXED HIGH PITCH NOISE (ECU)

Whining Noise - UPDATE!!!

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onzedge

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madaz

Yeah I've read about the ECU whine, I just want to make sure it's not the gearbox or something more serious. It just happens in 1st-4th gear and is obvious after 3000 RPM, I don't have to launch the car to hear it. How can I differentiate that its really from the ECU and not the gearbox?

__________________
My 2009 Nissan 370Z Touring w/ Nav Pearl White 6MT
Tints 17% Front, 5% Back | Plastidipped Emblems | JDM Rear Fog Light Installed

Haboob

Not sure. I think I remember reading that the ECU whine could be heard in the passenger footwell or something?

I haven't heard anything in mine, so it's def. not normal what you're hearing. Esp. if it's only in gear whilst driving.

SouthArk370Z

A passenger should be able to tell if the whine is coming from the ECM (near their feet) or the transmission (on their left side). Or pull the carpet/trim back from the ECM and see if it gets louder.

I haven't heard what the Z's ECM sounds like (mine is quiet or maybe my ears have gotten too old to hear it) but on ones that I have heard, it was a high-pitched (higher than what I associate with gear whine) "squeal." Your screechy may be what I call a squeal.

Edit: And gear whine will usually vary in frequency with speed while ECM whine is usually constant.

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madaz

Thanks for the response. In the event that it's gear whine, what should be the proper course of action?

__________________
My 2009 Nissan 370Z Touring w/ Nav Pearl White 6MT
Tints 17% Front, 5% Back | Plastidipped Emblems | JDM Rear Fog Light Installed

SouthArk370Z

I don't know. If we were talking about a Ford design four speed (AKA toploader) from the '60s, I would be in a better position to help.

The main sources of manual transmission whine that I can think of are:
* Gear noise. Check trans lube. Replace if needed. Try a different brand/weight fluid.
* Shifter vibration. Once again, I would be able to help if this were a much older car. The FSM would be a good place to start.
* Transmission mount (or other drivetrain mount): Usually a lower frequency "rumble" but might be worth taking a look at.

Those should apply to most geared, rotating equipment. Some of the members that are more familiar with the 6MT will probably have more specific advice/pointers.

__________________
Steering Lock Links - Search The370Z Bookmarklet - FSM @ NICOclub
Mankind has progressed past the need for war but we haven't evolved that far. - NachoMahma

madaz

Hey guys, here's a short clip about what I mean, Sorry about the sideways video don't know why it came out like that, but the sound is all you need.

I was in a parking lot so I was only in first gear low RPM, but the sound is similar to that and more prominent over 3000RPM. Let me know what you guys think is causing this?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bWvq...ature=youtu.be

__________________
My 2009 Nissan 370Z Touring w/ Nav Pearl White 6MT
Tints 17% Front, 5% Back | Plastidipped Emblems | JDM Rear Fog Light Installed