*HELP* Clank, bang, *insert bad noise here* Diagnose This One Guys! HELP!!

[CROM]

So I am drving around today, I take a 75 degree sloping turn at about 60 in 2nd and then I hear a *pop* followed by a *clank* followed by the sound of something metal banging around inside something else metal. Sounded like something metal broke into pieces and was banging around. Noise goes away, I think that "maybe" my PS cap had come off and had kicked around in the engine bay. I pull over, everything seems normal. No odd noises, PS cap is fine. No leaks. So I continue to my friends house. I pull up to his driveway he opens the garage door and I think I hear a wierd noise and dismiss it for the garage door noise. I shut car off. Well we go to leave and I turn the car on and now I have a god awful noise coming from the middle of the car. Oil pressure is fine. No leaks. Nothing, just this horrible noise that sounds like something spinning and grinding against metal. I drive the car around the block, no tranny noises when shifting, all gears work just fine. Clutch is fine. But this noise still persists. So I have it towed 15 miles back to my house and the car sits.

SO, what the heck is wrong. This is what I am thinking. One of the flywheel bolts came loose or some how sheered off, and is now sitting inside the housing jammed somewhere and the flywheel is rubbing against it. Any other thoughts? This does not sound like it is coming from the engine. It is RPM sensitive sort of. The sound pulses a little when I push the clutch in and out. The sound also goes away if the car sits and cools down. Only to start making noise again after the car runs for about 30 seconds.

This noise is very LOUD and you can almost feel it.

HELP!!!

 

[Vic]

Re: *HELP* Clank, bang, *insert bad noise here* Diagnose This One Guys!

I don't reccomend the following if you aren't very dextrous- With my surgeon-like hand precision, I trust myself to do this, but again, don't reccomend it for shakey-handed people, or the easily-spooked type.

Shut the ignition off while you are coasting, but don't turn the key all the way off to lock the steering column, so you can still steer. Just turn the key far enough to shut off the engine, and leave the steering enabled. Be prepared for heavy steering since the engine is off, and you will have no power steering.

Does the noise go away? If so, its engine related, or maybe the throw out bearing or pressure plate.

 

[Supercharged Vipermad]

Re: *HELP* Clank, bang, *insert bad noise here* Diagnose This One Guys! HEL

Time to drop the T56 and have a look!

If it doesn't sound like the motor, and it happens while still....then I'd have to bet on the tranny/clutch area.

Obviously, it is hard to diagnose without hearing the actual sound.

 

[Supercharged Vipermad]

Re: *HELP* Clank, bang, *insert bad noise here* Diagnose This One Guys! HEL

PS....VIC definitely has larger....uh.....cajones than me!!

 

[Vic]

Re: *HELP* Clank, bang, *insert bad noise here* Diagnose This One Guys! HEL

Being insane helps.

 

[CROM]

Re: *HELP* Clank, bang, *insert bad noise here* Diagnose This One Guys! HEL

It makes this noise at any speed or just sitting, at idle in neutral, rolling in 1st gear or any gear. This noise sounds "out in the open" if that makes sense. It does not sound like a noise that is encased like inside the engine. The car runs FINE and the transmission shifts fine. I just mentined the flywheel issue because well it is exposed to the outside so if a noise was coming from that area it would sound like it is "outside" the car so to speak. And the noise sounds like it is coming from exactly that area.

I could also get a sound clip of it or a short video if anyone would like to hear it for themself.

 

[V10SpeedLuvr]

Re: *HELP* Clank, bang, *insert bad noise here* Diagnose This One Guys! HEL

I'm sure I'm way off, but this is just a shot in the dark...what about the possibility of it being a cat busting up? Seems as though thats been a problem a few Viper guys have had

 

[CROM]

Re: *HELP* Clank, bang, *insert bad noise here* Diagnose This One Guys! HEL

Specific sounds do sound like that yeah I would agree but it sounds way too much like something rotating and grinding. It also comes to a "grinding" halt when the engine is turned off. Seems like I am going to have to tear a lot of stuff apart to get to the bottom of it. I will try to get a sound clip in the next couple days, maybe that can help some guys diagnose. I really do not think this is coming from the engine. It seems to be coming from the flywheel/tranny area. But every gear shifts just fine and the clutch is working just fine. There is no hesitation at all.

 

[Tom F&L GoR]

Re: *HELP* Clank, bang, *insert bad noise here* Diagnose This One Guys! HEL

There is an inspection plate under the bellhousing. You can take it off and look for "debris."

I ran over a cone during an autocross and the aluminum plate was pushed in against the back of the flywheel. It made some interesting noises until the flywheel beat the plate back into place- sort of. Noise would still come and go with the clutch being engaged (longitude motion of crankshaft.) Good luck.

 

[PhoenixGTS]

Re: *HELP* Clank, bang, *insert bad noise here* Diagnose This One Guys! HEL

Data point" when I sheared teeth off my tranny input shaft and injured 1st & 2nd gear the car still drove but sound like the tranny was full of rocks - BUT ONLY IN 1st and 2nd. When I shifted up to 4th it was quit and I actually drove it to the shop that rebuilt the tranny. Moral to story is perhaps see if noise disappears in various gears. If so bad news.

 

[viper spray]

Re: *HELP* Clank, bang, *insert bad noise here* Diagnose This One Guys! HEL

Get under it or get a Viper tech under it, I would bet your flywheel is the source.

 

[FrankBarba]

Re: *HELP* Clank, bang, *insert bad noise here* Diagnose This One Guys! HEL

check your tranny

 

[CROM]

Re: *HELP* Clank, bang, *insert bad noise here* Diagnose This One Guys! HEL

Frank,

Could you elaborate? I have the service manual. I have lots of tools and can pull just about anything apart save rebuild a motor and transmission. Unfortunately I do not have a lift. But how do I go about checking the tranny? I guess I need to do some diagnostic tests. Pull the lower plate, check the tranny fluid. At this point it could be "anything." Go through every gear etc etc..But this does not seem to be an internal transmission issue. The car runs fine and it shifts into each gear effortlessly. Keep the suggestions rolling, I'm taking notes. Hopefully I can get a sound clip sometime this week.

Please note that the sounds I posted in the first part of my original post are gone and the nasty grinding/scraping/vibrating sound is what I am hearing now. I have only driven the car around the block since it started making that bad noise, and it seems to do it at any gear and at idle. It also seems to change its tone a little as I increase the RPMs.

 

[Tom F&L GoR]

Re: *HELP* Clank, bang, *insert bad noise here* Diagnose This One Guys! HEL

Somewhere on your list to look for things you might drain the transmission fluid. Unfortunately there are two large magnets near the drain plug hole that might catch any large pieces, but perhaps something will fall out. Or you might be able to hold a light near the fill hole and look into the drain hole with a mirror.

The countershaft and gears are always in contact; it is the sleeves that decide which pair transmit torque. It's possible that a few teeth are missing and since they are constantly engaged, make noise all the time.

When my T-56 failed, someone told me they are like razor blades (i.e. disposable.) Made me laugh at the time.

Also, if you have the bellhousing inspection cover off, rotate the engine backwards. That might unwedge the bolt between the block and the flywheel.

 

[Lee00blacksilverGTS]

Re: *HELP* Clank, bang, *insert bad noise here* Diagnose This One Guys! HEL

Crom, I just replied to your email with a suggestion.

 

[CROM]

Re: *HELP* Clank, bang, *insert bad noise here* Diagnose This One Guys! HEL

Thank you Lee.

I will shoot some emails at asap.

Im hoping this is something simple, like a gremlin is wedged between the flywheel and shield.

 

[CROM]

Re: *HELP* Clank, bang, *insert bad noise here* Diagnose This One Guys! HEL

Anyone else? With the wealth of knowledge on this board I would think more than a couple people would respond.

 

[RedOne]

Re: *HELP* Clank, bang, *insert bad noise here* Diagnose This One Guys! HEL

I would look at the possibility part of the pressure plate has let go or even a fractured disc.

 

[CROM]

Re: *HELP* Clank, bang, *insert bad noise here* Diagnose This One Guys! HEL

Yeah, I really dont know how to explain the noise. I would almost scratch it up to an exhaust leak but the noise is being caused by two surfaces rubbing against each other. That is why I point to the flywheel. I dont know about the rest of you, but I can physically SEE my flywheel. It is open to the environment per say. I can see the wheel itself. There is a shield, then a gap, then the tranny housing. But you can clearly look up and see the exposed flywheel. Is this normal??? I am thinking something in that area broke and is now rubbing against the flywheel. I just hope that it is not something internal to the engine, but it does not sound like it and the engine runs perfectly fine. I am trying to get as much feedback as possible.

I am going to get a soundclip of it this weekend or maybe even middle of this week and post it on here for you guys to listen to.

I really need help on this. I bought this car a month ago and it was beautiful and had zero issues. I am hoping I get lucky and this is an easy fix.


Thank you!

 

[RedOne]

Re: *HELP* Clank, bang, *insert bad noise here* Diagnose This One Guys! HEL

I still say part of the clutch assembly has let go... You can have a boken disc and still have "some" clutch...

 

[CROM]

Re: *HELP* Clank, bang, *insert bad noise here* Diagnose This One Guys! HEL

I will look into it. All suggestions are open and accepted. I plan on looking at everything.

Thank you!

 

[hemibeep]

Re: *HELP* Clank, bang, *insert bad noise here* Diagnose This One Guys! HEL

Simple way to help find the source of the sound. Go to auto parts or sears and get a mechanics stethascope. has an alum. probe and will allow you to narrow down the source of the sound.

In my motor, I heard a tick, turned out to be two cracked pistons, motor ran fine....pistons were the last thing I would have thought..
On another vehicle had a cat converter "break-up"...EVERYONE said definately loose converter bolt. PULL the tranny...blah/blah/blah...just the cat after all!

Help yourself by finding where the sound is coming from, then start tearing car apart.

 

[Mr Hemi Head]

Re: *HELP* Clank, bang, *insert bad noise here* Diagnose This One Guys! HEL

If the Viper is driveable and will make it to Leesburg you are welcome to use my 4 post lift to investigate the mistery.

 

[Jim Wilson]

Re: *HELP* Clank, bang, *insert bad noise here* Diagnose This One Guys! HEL

Your flywheel cover should look like this; or at least an '01 should......

What HemiBeep said.....if you can't find it visually, try a mechanics stethoscope. If you have a gap like you said, you may have sucked something into the clutch assembly or grenaded something inside.

My $.02,
Jim

 

[CROM]

Re: *HELP* Clank, bang, *insert bad noise here* Diagnose This One Guys! HEL

All, thank you for all your help. I am going to jack it up this weekend and see if I can locate any problems.

That is what the underneath of my car looks like as well. Well without the perty tunnel plate and sweet AN fuel lines.

It just seems odd that the car would run fine if something like the clutch or pressure plate failed. At this point I don't think I have the cajones to get underneath the car while it is running and sitting on jack stands. I may also try the stethescope idea.

HEMIBEEP

Please email me or PM me how the car with the broken cat sounded? I am interested.

MR HEMI HEAD

Thank you very much for the offer, but I'm too scared to drive it with the noise. I would love to check out your GTS one day though. The car is located near Gilberts Corner actually, only about 15 mins from you.

 

[hemibeep]

Re: *HELP* Clank, bang, *insert bad noise here* Diagnose This One Guys! HEL

PM sent.

P.s. can substitute a long insulated screwdriver for a fancy stethascope.

 

[FLX109]

Re: *HELP* Clank, bang, *insert bad noise here* Diagnose This One Guys! HEL

starter gear staying engaged?

 

[CROM]

Re: *HELP* Clank, bang, *insert bad noise here* Diagnose This One Guys! HEL

I'm not quite sure what that would actually sound like. Care to elaborate?

This noise is LOUD and reverberates throughout the car.

 

[RedOne]

Re: *HELP* Clank, bang, *insert bad noise here* Diagnose This One Guys! HEL

If the starter stayed engaged, smoke would soon follow..

Been there, done that.... (not on the Viper)

 

[Vic]

Re: *HELP* Clank, bang, *insert bad noise here* Diagnose This One Guys! HEL

A broken cat sounds like someone shaking a metal box full of rocks.