Citroen Xsara (1997 - 2004) - 99 1.4 noise under trailing throttle

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Fri 14 Aug 2009 11:59
99 1.4 noise under trailing throttle - Andy_r
The car has a bizzare noise from somewhere at the front of the car. We can't work out which side it is coming from. It sounds like some sort of resonance. The noise is not present when the engine is under load. If cruising along in neutral, the noise is likely to be there, and is sometimes affected by steering. engine speed does not affect the noise. It is only present above about 35mph. The noise is a fixed frequency, i.e. it doesn't vary with speed changes.
There is very slight play in the inner n/s cv joint, and the boot has a pin prick leak of oil. Is this joint lubed from the box? Could the cv joint be the cause of the noise? Is the box running low on lube? If yes to either of these scenarios, why is the noise constant and not speed dependant?
Any other suggestions for the cause of the noise?
Many thanks!
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Fri 14 Aug 2009 12:51
99 1.4 noise under trailing throttle - RichardW
The MA gearbox fitted to the 1.4 engines in these is known for lunching the final drive causing the sort of noises you are hearing.... not sure why it wouldn't be speed related though!

Edited by RichardW on 14/08/2009 at 12:52

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Mon 17 Aug 2009 14:50
99 1.4 noise under trailing throttle - Andy_r
Hmmmmm final drive maybe? Any suggestions on how I could confirm/disprove that theory? trasmission feels ok while driving.
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