Leaky Disco... what needs attention first?

No oil on the drive but she is looking a bit sticky underneath. Engine oil level is fine. She runs well… only problems is a whining noise noticeable above 45mph and less so when coasting. Any comments/advice would be very welcome.

Starting at the rear and moving forward:

Looks about normal
If no oil on the drive I would check levels and if low after topping up check for a bad leak.
Whining noise could be low oil level in axles or gearboxes.

Looks cleaner than Big Red, I'm quite jealous (but don't tell her).

Do you notice any vibration when the whining starts and is it confined to one side? I'm wondering if you have a wheel bearing on its way out, or at least in need of adjusting?

Kicking off at 45mph+ would make sense.

Heavymetalmayhem said:

Would you expect axles to be a constant noise?

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I'd expect the noise to be progressive and if it quietens off suddenly when you de-throttle, it's unlikely to be a wheel bearing.

If it's in the centre and variable as you say, it could very well be transmission. Red has an auto box and when I hit 50ish she starts to whine a little, easing off when I throttle back, but she's done that from day 1 and seems non the worse for it.

Had the box serviced first weekend I had her and it's never sounded any different. I just put it down to Landyzheimers.

to rule out the gearbox, wack the transfer into neutral and then go through all the gears as in normal driving...

yes, with engine running and accelarating, changing through the gears... you wont go anywhere as the transfer will be in neutral.

if you cant hear the whine, then its not your gearbox, could be your transfer though.

search for molyslip, I've put some of it in my transfer box and it got a bit more quiet

[JP];1613712 said:

to rule out the gearbox, wack the transfer into neutral and then go through all the gears as in normal driving...

yes, with engine running and accelarating, changing through the gears... you wont go anywhere as the transfer will be in neutral.

if you cant hear the whine, then its not your gearbox, could be your transfer though.

search for molyslip, I've put some of it in my transfer box and it got a bit more quiet

Click to expand...

noise could be in either as t/box is still turning but center diff isnt connected to high or low gear

with leaks i wouldnt worry unless leaving more than a little drip on floor ,in which case fix relavent one, check levels regulary and change all oils at least yearly,noise sounds like it could be worn 5th gear or rear bearing a slight whine in 5th isnt necessarily anything to urgently worry about if it gets worse it will need rear bearings checking ,changing oil is a good way of seeing if somethings wearing as filings or metal sheen will show if drained into clean container

whining isnt the turbo whistle?

Na it's not turbo whistle.

I will check oil levels in gearbox, transfer box and axle this weekend and top up as necessary (change if I get time). I'll then have another listen and let you know how it goes.

Thanks for the advice.

a whining differential sounds like it is a gearbox noise as it transmits up the propshafts, and also the noise tends to change as your change up through the gears.

id check diffs forst as is most likely culprit also. check for pitted teeth.

cheers.