So I'm coming to grips with the whole VW ownership is a journey not a destination concept. I've knocked over the list of must do's to get the car roadworthy and took it out for a decent drive today. Now I have something new to look at.

When changing down gears it makes what I would best describe as a short sharp shrieking sound, higher pitched than a whine, for want of a more technical term to use. It tends to be worse if I'm going a bit quicker.

Aside from going slower what should I be looking at?

1975 L - 1600, tired stock.

Cheers, Dean

When does the noise occur? When the clutch is in? When decelerating only? All the time?

Check your gearbox oil. If it gets low you start to hear the gears make whining noises. Also check your clutch play. You may have to adjust your clutch as it may not be fully disengaging if the noise happnes with the clutch in.

Rear tyres a bit old? What speed do you call "a bit quicker"?

Could also be an intake manifold leak. Sort of a bit like a whistling noise or something?

Is it the fan belt slipping when the engine revs suddenly change?

Thanks as always for the feedback all.

II may just be being a bit hopeful but if a slipping fan belt is an option I'd pick that. It doesn't really sound like anything awful disintegrating. When I say a bit quick I'm talking in relative terms 3rd to 2nd at 40 odd from memory I'll pick up a replacement and see if it solves it. I don't have one on hand as I haven't yet put my 'essential replacement' kit together as it's been off the road.

Fan belt done. Noise stopped.

Cheers all.

New noise for the last couple of days. Would desribe it as a metal clanging. Only seemed to be there when moving slowly. Spent ages checking tin-ware, squeezing my fat arse under the car and driving slowly down the road leaning out the window.

Amazing how hard it is to find a wheel nut that has come lose and is banging around in a hub cap if you don't know what you're looking for!!!!!!

^^^ anuva lesson learned, or is that another learned lesson ?

I just hate them all.... lol

a few nights ago travelling down the highway and My Wife said what's that "clicky click"?? noise

I said I can't hear anything....

coming back home I said is the noise still there?
She said Yes, so I turned the CD player on... lol

LEE

yep, noises are annoying especially when you either ignore them or can't find it and then you do eventually find out when something bad happens.

most I have experienced is with "new" parts failing to do their job properly. So its genuine or NOS everywhere if possible regardless of the make of car.

My mate Stumpy was towing his boat back from a days fishing, A large truck slowly passes him and Stumpy hears the loud grinding noise from wheels bearing and says to him self, hey that truck sure is going to have some dramas down the road soon! Stumpy gets home and spots one of the boat trailer wheels is just hanging on by the calipers!!!!!