Howling / Whining ZX2 - Help :)

Hi all,

I have a 98 ZX2 with about 100,000 miles on it. I have a problem that started occuring in the last few thousand miles.

It began as a shreak or whistle when the car was turned off. In the last few weeks, it has gotten worse - it 'warbles' at times and has a much louder shreak when idling. When turning the car off, it has a 'trademark' shreak - this occurs after any moving parts should have stopped moving.

The problem doesn't generally pop up until the car is warm. I have checked pulleys, belts, etc. with no improvement.

A couple garages here have suggested its a clutch bearing. While it sometimes stops when you push in the clutch, it is not consistent. I don't seem to have any clutch slippage or loss of power -- would I not have a performance issue if the bearing was going bad?

I have seen several posts here about whining noises in ZX2's, but no real solutions have been posted.

I would appreciate any help anyone can give. I need to get this fixed soon, as it keeps getting louder and is now scaring folks on the road! I also don't want to spend $500 on a new clutch if it isn't a likely cause.

Thanks,

Todd

A pilot bearing (the bearing that goes between the input shaft and the flywheel) makes a loud shreak when it goes bad. That bearing at the latest quits moving after the engine stops. I was also thinking a vacuum problem but I've never heard of a loud one that scares people. Check the PCV system. Can you tell what side of the engine it is coming from?

-Mark

Sounds kinda like a tea kettle being taken off the burner when you shut off the car?

My daughters 98 with 175,000 miles started doing that this past spring. My daughters car began to whistle and whine while running and then whould whistle for about 6 - 8 seconds after every moving part came to rest. I spent about $4 on a new PCV valve and invested 5 minutes labor and the problem went away.

Give the PCV valve a try. Cheap and easy first try!