Grinding in the engine bay

[AKKY]

Hi all, just wanted to ask if anyone has also had this issue or can help me with it.
Car was driving along perfectly and when I slowed down to a stop all of a sudden there was a noise that sounded like a grinding like a metal on metal noise.

From what I could guess it sounded like it was coming from underneath the drivers and forward of that towards the engine bay. The sound is heard when the car is in drive, I tried placing it in neutral and I didn't seem to hear it but when in drive at a stand still I can be heard.

Also during low revs around 1900 - 3000rpm and at during low speed driving say 30kph and lower, when it reaches normal driving speeds say 60kph the sound seems to lessen if not go completely but my guess would be that it blends into the engine noise.

It was cold this morning but I did let it warm up before heading off, if anyone has had similar issue's or know what this is I would greatly appreciate your feedback.
Cheers everyone.

 

[UTE042_NZ]

If it was a manual transmission I would suspect the clutch throw-out bearing.
You mention putting it in "drive" so I guess yours has an auto trans and I would suspect the torque converter (maybe needle roller bearings).
Your members ride is listed as a VE SS, can I assume it is a V8, or are you referring to a different car? (you have a few posts in the VF sub-forum).

Around 500 MY13 VE SIDI V6 utes had to have faulty torque converters in replaced (shuddering).
MY06 - MY 12 VE SS with 6L80 developed cracks in automatic transmission clutch housing (slipping or selection).

Australian Car Reviews: VE Commodore Recalls & Faults

https://www.mistertransmission.com/what-are-the-symptoms-of-a-bad-torque-converter/
"#5 – Noise
When a torque converter goes bad, there are many different kinds of noises that can be made. First, there may be a whining noise that sounds like a power-steering pump with little fluid in it.

The assembly’s motor contains a mechanism that has clutches. When this mechanism goes bad, a rattling noise can be heard. This noise might not be so loud when the vehicle’s in park. However, once the transmission is put into gear, the frequency and volume of the rattling noise will increase, which spells trouble for your converter."

I've had a couple of screamers and it's much less expensive to replace a faulty torque converter than to keep driving and have to replace the whole transmission AND converter.

 

[AKKY]

My apologies it is a vf I need to update that. Yes it is an automatic and an 8 and an MY14.

The long and short I'm guessing is to bring ot back to Holden and cross my fingers that it's going to be covered under the warranty or it doesn't blow out the wallet.
What would those fixes look like money wise? What would should I look to pay if those things do need replacing?

If it was a manual transmission I would suspect the clutch throw-out bearing.
You mention putting it in "drive" so I guess yours has an auto trans and I would suspect the torque converter (maybe needle roller bearings).
Your members ride is listed as a VE SS, can I assume it is a V8, or are you referring to a different car? (you have a few posts in the VF sub-forum).

Around 500 MY13 VE SIDI V6 utes had to have faulty torque converters in replaced (shuddering).
MY06 - MY 12 VE SS with 6L80 developed cracks in automatic transmission clutch housing (slipping or selection).

Australian Car Reviews: VE Commodore Recalls & Faults

https://www.mistertransmission.com/what-are-the-symptoms-of-a-bad-torque-converter/
"#5 – Noise
When a torque converter goes bad, there are many different kinds of noises that can be made. First, there may be a whining noise that sounds like a power-steering pump with little fluid in it.

The assembly’s motor contains a mechanism that has clutches. When this mechanism goes bad, a rattling noise can be heard. This noise might not be so loud when the vehicle’s in park. However, once the transmission is put into gear, the frequency and volume of the rattling noise will increase, which spells trouble for your converter."

I've had a couple of screamers and it's much less expensive to replace a faulty torque converter than to keep driving and have to replace the whole transmission AND converter.

 

[UTE042_NZ]

My apologies it is a vf I need to update that. Yes it is an automatic and an 8 and an MY14.

The long and short I'm guessing is to bring ot back to Holden and cross my fingers that it's going to be covered under the warranty or it doesn't blow out the wallet.
What would those fixes look like money wise? What would should I look to pay if those things do need replacing?

I don't have any real idea about costs, sorry. If it isn't covered under warranty, the Holden dealership should supply a quote if you ask for one. You could then shop around for a cheaper quote from other mechanics and/or transmission specialists. Cheaper than Holden is probably very achievable but cheapest is is not usually the best.

I have had refurbished/reconditioned torque converter replacements fitted by transmission outfits in the past. I would hope that a torque converter could be replaced for under a grand (assuming there has been no damage to the transmission itself). Gone are the days when you could tempt a few mates with a slab to help you pull a car apart and put it back together in a weekend. Specialist knowledge is often required and every other thing has a bloody computer in it now.

I would try to avoid driving it until I had it diagnosed. I would also crawl under it and have a good look with my phone light on and look for any leaks or obvious damage to the outside of the transmission (rocks and lumps of steel on the road can crack or bend things) taking pictures if I found anything.

 

[Skylarking]

@AKKY if the vehicle has been serviced according to Holdens recommendation then your gearbox should last much longer than 6 years. Trans fluid is also replaced at (I think) 150,000kms which for many is 7 & 1/2 years of driving at 20k per year.

So if it’s been looked after and serviced as recommended, then the gearbox should be OK with no odd noises. If Holden play hard ball and won’t fix it under their manufacturers warranty, I’d read up on Australian Consumer Law which provides everyone with a statutory warranty on Ye stuff they buy (with no end date specified).

You can read lots about ACL viewpoints and what you can do on this thread which is related to power steering issues. Read the thread should give you the ACL background you need to better handle this specific problem.

Having said that, I assume you have looked under the car and checked that you haven’t run over and picked up some crap that is struck beneath the car scraping along as you drive (seen it a few times)

 

[AKKY]

Awesome info, the car has always been serviced as per Holden requirements and on time by the previous owner.
He even had engine mounts replaced 30,000kms ago from memory.

The car only has 87,000+ kms atm and I've bloody had the thing in Holden work shops longer then I've owned it .
I haven't had the chance to have a look at it and see if anything has cracked or gotten caught underneath there as it was otw to work.

I just parked and walked away crying and thinking what a pain , I'll have a look today when I get back to see if any fluid has leaked underneath, but yes I'll just drive it home until I can take it back to the dealership and get it looked at.

@AKKY if the vehicle has been serviced according to Holdens recommendation then your gearbox should last much longer than 6 years. Trans fluid is also replaced at (I think) 150,000kms which for many is 7 & 1/2 years of driving at 20k per year.

So if it’s been looked after and serviced as recommended, then the gearbox should be OK with no odd noises. If Holden play hard ball and won’t fix it under their manufacturers warranty, I’d read up on Australian Consumer Law which provides everyone with a statutory warranty on Ye stuff they buy (with no end date specified).

You can read lots about ACL viewpoints and what you can do on this thread which is related to power steering issues. Read the thread should give you the ACL background you need to better handle this specific problem.

Having said that, I assume you have looked under the car and checked that you haven’t run over and picked up some crap that is struck beneath the car scraping along as you drive (seen it a few times)

 

[AKKY]

Ok so there was no leaks of any sort under the car when I got back to it. During warm up, car being in park there was no noise when I left to head home noise came back this time it happened during take off and crawl speeds of 25-40 kph.

I attempted to record the sound hopefully yall can make out the sound I'm trying to highlight here.
Sound happened after a stand still basically eased off the breaks and this time is sounded like a vibration rattle, not sure if it was just me but it seemed like the exhaust got more droney and felt more sluggish under load.

Still drove ok and gears shifted fine, its a crap video but it was the only way I could think to capture the sound at the time.
Video captured from the passengers side, sound seemed to come from the passenger side.

 

[Skylarking]

@AKKY it's hard to tell what noise is and I'm not an auto expert so don't know what your issue could be.

But being that the car has done 87,000kms and almost certainly has not had the trans fluid flushed in its life, I'd go to a transmission specialist and get them to first have a listen and then do a full transmission service (new filter, seal and gasket) and full trans fluid flush. Holden can also initiate maintenance cleaning of solenoids via their diagnostics system but not sure of trans shops can do the same). Some say you also need to initiate adaptive shift relearn (transmission adaptive pressure relearn) when changing fluids, others say its not needed.

In any case, a full trans service is worth doing and the amount of crap in the oil and around the magnet may be telling to the experts at the trans shop and it can resolve issues where some may think their torque converster is failing.

Whatever you do, don't simply ignore odd noises as continuing to drive can quickly turn a cheap maintenance task into an expensive repair.

 

[426Cuda]

That sound reminds me of a worn crank thrust bearing. Hope you get it sorted.