Whirring noise from front of car

Hi, I'm new here!
I signed up as my car has recently started causing me more problems than usual - I can handle the odd problem (there have been many...) but I've started to lose my temper a little bit on this one

Basically I have a 98 Freelander 2.0 Diesel and it started to make a kind of whirring noise from the front passenger side. I took it to a garage and they couldn't pinpoint the problem but for my own piece of mind I had the wheel bearings done. This didn't sort the issue so I had them take another look but again they weren't able to find the source of the problem. They tested the VCU and didn't think that was a problem but after reading many issues it always seems to end up back at that. I have the option to take out the rear prop but as the noise comes from the front not sure this would have any benefit and may just be throwing money at something that won't help.

Is there anything I could be missing? I could try setting the damn thing on fire but I imagine it would fail at that too

Fbh?

you could drain a little oil out of gearbox and check it

The Mad Hat Man said:

Fbh?

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I'm not sure what this means sorry

jamesmartin said:

you could drain a little oil out of gearbox and check it

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What would I be checking for? Just the condition of the oil? I don't suspect the gearbox as it happens regardless of if the engine is being used to move the car or not. The sound is the same even in neutral.

jamesmartin said:

you could drain a little oil out of gearbox and check it

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For what??

Check the VCU mount bearings.

Singvogel.

jt999 said:

I'm not sure what this means sorry



What would I be checking for? Just the condition of the oil? I don't suspect the gearbox as it happens regardless of if the engine is being used to move the car or not. The sound is the same even in neutral.

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? how with just ignition on stood still ?

Singvogel said:

Check the VCU mount bearings.

Singvogel.

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How would one check those? Is it likely to be an expensive job?

jamesmartin said:

? how with just ignition on stood still ?

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I can get up to speed, switch to neutral and coast.

jt999 said:

How would one check those? Is it likely to be an expensive job?



I can get up to speed, switch to neutral and coast.

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bearings would still be turning in g box then ,you check for metal or silvery sheen

If it makes a noise while the engine is running in neutral and the noise stops when the clutch is presses in the it's likely the gearbox input bearing which does fail on the diesel. If the noise gets worse when the clutch is pressed then it could be the clutch release bearing which also fail Nothing else is turning when the box is in neutral while the car is stationary. When was the fuel pump belt changed? They can whine too.

jt999 said:

How would one check those? Is it likely to be an expensive job?



I can get up to speed, switch to neutral and coast.

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jamesmartin said:

bearings would still be turning in g box then ,you check for metal or silvery sheen

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And if yer lucky you'll get a partridge in a pear tree.

except for when your coasting

Nodge68 said:

If it makes a noise while the engine is running in neutral and the noise stops when the clutch is presses in the it's likely the gearbox input bearing which does fail on the diesel. If the noise gets worse when the clutch is pressed then it could be the clutch release bearing which also fail Nothing else is turning when the box is in neutral while the car is stationary. When was the fuel pump belt changed? They can whine too.

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Noise is same regardless of gear/clutch position, it only varies with actual speed of the car.

Fuel pump belt - no idea! Not for a fair while. There is no noise (other than the engine noise) when the car is stationary.

Thanks for your help, I will try to have as much checked as possible, I've poured so much money into it's other problems it would be a shame to stop now...

IRD bearings? just a stab in the dark though...

jt999 said:

How would one check those? Is it likely to be an expensive job?



I can get up to speed, switch to neutral and coast.

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Checking the VCU mounts is not difficult and they are pretty cheap £27.50 a pair - and take about an hour or so to replace.

There are another 2 threads running on this so take a look there.

SV.

jt999 said:

Noise is same regardless of gear/clutch position, it only varies with actual speed of the car

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I have exactly the same noise just started this week (54 TD4) Doesn't seem to be getting any louder, but will park it up for now.
Going into the specialist for diagnosis next week, but I am suspecting VCU as I am on 120k miles and the bearings were last changed at 70k.

Will report back after they clean out my bank account!

AFAIK the VCU itself cannot make any noise at all - either when new or when it's kaput.

SV.

Ahh, I wasn't aware of that so perhaps that is good news, or at least I think it could be?

I haven't really got the facilities to get it up off the ground here at home (gravel drive and no garage) so it will be going into RCV at Maidstone soon and I have always found them to be pretty good - I am sure they will sort it, but in reading the other threads regarding this, I will ask them to look at the support bearings first.
I did wonder if one of the calipers was binding but the noise is still there under braking as a separate issue so have dismissed that.
Can't complain really as this is my first "serious" problem in almost 10k!

This took a turn for the worse today, now it's a very loud metal on metal grinding noise when the car is moved at all, you can also feel it juddering/vibrating when you are moving. Luckily I was by the garage that looked at it last time so will try to get them to look tomorrow.

Any ideas what it could be? I understand it's a really vague description so no problem if not!

yo transmission is fecked. IRD or diff.