Sudden whining noise in 4th gear under acceleration. Bad bearing?

Was driving last night and suddenly starting hearing a horrible whinning noise in 4th gear. This occured only under accelleration. Other gears were fine and I drove home avoiding 4th altogether.

Last time I changed the transmission oil was only about 15,000km ago.

I'm worried this is a bad bearing. Is this right? Could it be something else?

(1993 Cabriolet 1.8lt 5 speed manual.)

15,000km since last oil change isn't too bad, but maybe it's time for another? i'm not sure if that'd fix the whining, but fresh oil never hurts. just a thought, might be way off base here.

paradym said

15,000km since last oil change isn't too bad, but maybe it's time for another? i'm not sure if that'd fix the whining, but fresh oil never hurts. just a thought, might be way off base here.

Thanks mate.

I had a look under the car and noticed the driveshaft seals were leaking a lot. Dumped the gearbox oil and there wasn't much in there. Replaced it and the problem is gone. Hopefully I haven't done too much damage already…

If you have a 5spd, then the 5th gear is splash driven, and can and will burn out if low on oil.

I have linked a how do I do that on differential seal replacement on a 010, it is about the same on a 4 or 5 spd.

Hint get a good set of c-clip pliers ones that are at 45 degree off set and Hurky (strong) some of the cost effective (cheap) usually will not hold up, or don't have the proper reach.

If your inner shaft looks peened on the end like this:


That makes getting the sprin clip-ring out a PITA, as the shaft is hammered the clip in place and you have to work it out.  

It s also a sign that your CV Joint Inner is broke, and was allowed to meet the shaft.  If the inner rubber cap is off, then that is the sign that you should probably replace your CV.

My inner shaft got hammered by a rebuilt shaft that was only on the car for about 1 hour before breaking the inner joint, which in all my years of driving MK1's never happened before.  Only buy New shafts or you find a great rebuilder locally.