Symptom Chart - NVH

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2011 Mercury Milan and 2011 Ford Fusion. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

NOTE: NVH symptoms should be identified using the diagnostic tools that are available. For a list of these tools, an explanation of their uses and a glossary of common terms, refer to NOISE, VIBRATION & HARSHNESS article. Since it is possible any one of multiple systems may be the cause of a symptom, it may be necessary to use a process of elimination type of diagnostic approach to pinpoint the responsible system. If this is not the causal system for the symptom, refer back to NOISE, VIBRATION & HARSHNESS article for the next likely system and continue diagnosis.

SYMPTOM CHART - NVH

Condition	Possible Sources	Action
Clutch related vibrations	Engine component grounding against frame Accessory drive belt Clutch release bearing Flywheel bolts Flywheel Imbalanced clutch pressure plate	GO to PINPOINT TEST B .
Excessive noise	Clutch disc damper damaged Transaxle input shaft pilot bearing worn or damaged Excessive crankshaft end play Clutch release bearing worn or damaged Clutch pedal Clutch slave cylinder	GO to PINPOINT TEST C . REFER to CLUTCH -- FUSION & MILAN article. INSPECT the clutch disc for damage. INSPECT the transaxle input shaft and the transaxle input shaft pilot bearing for wear and damage. CHECK the crankshaft endplay. Refer to the appropriate Manual Transmission, Clutch and Transfer Case article for the procedure. CHECK the clutch release hub and bearing, and guide tube for wear and damage. REPAIR all components as necessary. TEST the system for normal operation.
Clutch rattling noise - occurs with clutch engaged, noise changes/disappears with clutch pedal depressed	Flywheel bolts, clutch housing bolts or clutch pressure plate bolts loose	CHECK the bolts for damage. TIGHTEN the bolts to specifications. REFER to CLUTCH -- FUSION & MILAN article.
Clutch squeaking noise - noise is heard when the clutch is operated. Vehicle moves slowly or creeps when the clutch is disengaged. Can also be difficult to shift into 1st and REVERSE gears	Pilot bearing seized or damaged	INSPECT the transaxle pilot bearing for wear or damage. REPAIR as necessary. REFER to CLUTCH -- FUSION & MILAN article.
Clutch squeaking noise - occurs with clutch pedal depressed/released	Worn clutch pedal shaft or bushings	INSPECT the clutch pedal for wear or damage. REPAIR as necessary. REFER to CLUTCH CONTROLS -- FUSION & MILAN article.
Clutch whirring/rattle noise - occurs when clutch pedal is depressed	Worn, damaged or misaligned clutch release bearing	INSPECT the clutch release bearing for wear or damage. REPAIR as necessary. REFER to CLUTCH -- FUSION & MILAN article.
Clutch grating/grinding noise - occurs when clutch pedal is depressed	Clutch pressure plate fingers bent or worn	INSPECT the clutch pressure plate release fingers. INSTALL a new pressure plate as necessary. REFER to CLUTCH -- FUSION & MILAN article.
	Contact surface of clutch release bearing worn or damaged	INSPECT the clutch release bearing. REPAIR as necessary. REFER to CLUTCH -- FUSION & MILAN article.
Clutch chatter - a small amount of noise when clutch pedal is released at initial take off	Clutch engagement	Acceptable operating condition.
Clutch chatter/grabs - in some cases a shudder is felt. Occurs with clutch pedal depressed/released	Damaged or worn powertrain/driveline mounts	INSPECT the powertrain/drivetrain mounts. INSTALL new mounts as necessary. Refer to the appropriate Manual Transmission, Clutch and Transfer Case article for the procedure.
	Binding or dragging plunger of the clutch master cylinder or slave cylinder	CHECK the master and slave cylinder operation. INSPECT the components for damage or wear. INSTALL a new master or slave cylinder as necessary. REFER to CLUTCH CONTROLS -- FUSION & MILAN article.
	Grease or oil on the clutch disc facing	CHECK the input shaft seal and rear main oil seal. REPAIR as necessary. INSTALL a new clutch disc. REFER to CLUTCH -- FUSION & MILAN article.
	Clutch disc surface glazed or damaged	INSPECT the clutch disc surface for a glazed, hardened or damage condition. CARRY OUT a CLUTCH DISC CHECK . INSTALL a new clutch disc as necessary. REFER to CLUTCH -- FUSION & MILAN article.
	Damaged or worn clutch pressure plate	INSPECT the clutch pressure plate for wear or damage. INSTALL a new clutch pressure plate as necessary. REFER to CLUTCH -- FUSION & MILAN article.
	Flywheel surface damaged or glazed	INSPECT the flywheel for damage or wear. CARRY OUT a FLYWHEEL RUNOUT CHECK . INSTALL a new flywheel as necessary. Refer to the appropriate Manual Transmission, Clutch and Transfer Case article for the procedure.
Clutch chatter noise - noise when clutch pedal is released at initial take off. Clutch is hard to engage and disengage	Pilot bearing worn, damaged or not correctly aligned in bore	INSPECT the clutch pressure plate release fingers for uneven wear, clutch components burnt or a seized pilot bearing. INSTALL a new pilot bearing as necessary. REFER to CLUTCH -- FUSION & MILAN article.
Transaxle rattling/clattering noise - occurs in NEUTRAL or in gear, at idle	Incorrect manual transmission fluid level or fluid quality	CHECK that the transaxle is filled to the correct level and with the specified manual transmission fluid. REFER to MANUAL TRANSAXLE/TRANSMISSION -- FUSION & MILAN article for the manual transmission fluid type.
Transaxle rattling/clattering noise - noise at idle in NEUTRAL	Worn or rough reverse idler gear	CHECK the reverse idler gear. REPAIR as necessary. REFER to MANUAL TRANSAXLE/TRANSMISSION -- FUSION & MILAN article.
	Excessive backlash in gears	CHECK the gear backlash. ADJUST as necessary. REFER to MANUAL TRANSAXLE/TRANSMISSION -- FUSION & MILAN article.
	Worn countershaft gears	REPAIR as necessary. REFER to MANUAL TRANSAXLE/TRANSMISSION -- FUSION & MILAN article.
Transaxle whine - a mild whine at extreme speeds or high rpm	Rotating gears/geartrain	Acceptable noise.
Transaxle whine - a high pitched whine, also described as a squeal	Transaxle gears are worn (high mileage vehicle)	Result of normal gear wear. REPAIR as necessary. REFER to MANUAL TRANSAXLE/TRANSMISSION -- FUSION & MILAN article.
	Mismatched gear sets	INSPECT the gear sets for an uneven wear pattern on the face of the gear teeth. REPAIR as necessary. REFER to MANUAL TRANSAXLE/TRANSMISSION -- FUSION & MILAN article.
	Damaged or worn transaxle bearing	INSPECT the transaxle bearings. INSTALL new bearings as necessary. REFER to MANUAL TRANSAXLE/TRANSMISSION -- FUSION & MILAN article.
Transaxle growling/humming - noise occurs in the forward gears. The noise is more prominent when the gear is loaded. The problem gear can be located as the noise occurs in a specific gear position	Gear is cracked, chipped or rough	INSPECT the transaxle gears for damage or wear. INSTALL new gears as necessary. REFER to MANUAL TRANSAXLE/TRANSMISSION -- FUSION & MILAN article.
Transaxle hissing - noise in NEUTRAL or in forward gears. As bearings wear or break up, the noise changes to a thumping noise	Damaged or worn bearings	INSPECT the transaxle bearings. INSTALL new bearings as necessary. REFER to MANUAL TRANSAXLE/TRANSMISSION -- FUSION & MILAN article.
Transaxle knocking/thudding - noise at low speeds in forward gears	Bearings with damaged balls or rollers or with pitted and spalled races	INSPECT the transaxle bearings. INSTALL new bearings as necessary. REFER to MANUAL TRANSAXLE/TRANSMISSION -- FUSION & MILAN article.
Transaxle rumble/growl - noise at all speeds in forward gears, more pronounced in a heavy acceleration condition	Damaged or worn transaxle bearing or gears (high mileage vehicles)	CHECK manual transmission fluid for excessive metal particles. REPAIR as necessary.