so my 97 2.2l sunfire makes like a whining noise when the clutch is in. this only happens when in neutral or first, once you get a little speed it doesn't happen (ie shifting into 3rd, etc.). i first noticed it probably 2 months ago, the first time i had my window down when the snow started to melt. i hadn't got it checked out yet when one day i remember it didn't make the noise. it just went away, so i didn't think any more about it.

then the noise came back again. so i took it to the dealership. they tell me that when the clutch is engaged, the crankshaft is moving. this is wearing the crankshaft bearings, which they say is basically a $2200 (cdn) job.

my question is, does this make sense? if this is the case then i don't understand why the noise happened only some of the time. also, this is a pretty major problem, so shouldn't driving it like this for 2-3 months have ultimately caused more damage by now?

i should also mention that in the 2 or 3 months of this, the car has been completely driving and shifting fine. if i hadn't had my window down and radio off, i never would have noticed.

i just don't wanna commit to $2k on a $5k car unless i'm sure that's the problem. i'd appreciate any help you can give me. thx.

The person who told you that "when the clutch is engaged the crankshaft is moving is an idiot." The crankshaft is moving once you start you motor. He possibly ment the Main Input Shaft Bearings on your tranny, and if so the most costly part of the repair is going to be labor since you have to drop the tranny and crack it open to replace the bearings. To further answer your question, bearings gradually wear out over time...a set of bearings could be very worn before they actually begin to make any noises hence the almost instantaeous noise. It sounds like the culprit of your noise is definetly your Main Input Shaft Bearings.

Wait...don't tell me its the "bolts in a coffee can" problem where it sounds...well....like its namesake.