Noisy clutch (when no pressure applied)??

[nkb93]

I just picked up a '90 with 160k from my buddy who was moving cross-country and didn't want to take the car with him. The suspension is pretty much shot, and the body's not in great shape.. but for $150 I got a strong running winter car that's a blast to drive (in straight lines at least ).

Mechanically, everything seems fine (strong motor, clutch, tranny except 2nd synchro). But the other day I started hearing a strange whirring/grinding noise that matched the engine RPMs, whether in neutral or driving in any gear. It seems to be coming from the clutch, as the clutch pedal is now vibrating at that same frequency. It's pretty loud, too, easily heard over the loud exhaust (rusted out mufflers).

Strangely, the noise is only present when my foot is off the clutch. If I lightly put my foot on the pedal, I can feel the vibration through the pedal, but as soon as I put even 1 lb of pressure on the pedal, the noise and vibration quits. I thought it might be the TOB, but wouldn't that be the opposite problem? The clutch still disengages fully and takes up smoothly.

Any thoughts on what would be causing this noise?

Nathan

 

[NotSoSlowSHO]

Probably a busted PP finger.

 

[sdpatt]

Probably a busted PP finger.

...due to a worn out throwout (release) bearing.

 

[nkb93]

...due to a worn out throwout (release) bearing.

doh.. that's what I was afraid of. oh well, I guess I'll just drive it until it becomes undrivable, then see whether I want to bother fixing it. Otherwise the motor might go into my dad's '89, which is pretty solid except for the blown motor


Nathan