what is my Focus 1.6 transmissiony type noise?

[Blackpuddin]

Evenin all, I've just joined the merry throng of Ford owners having just bought an '03 Focus 1.6 manual as a runaround. Car feels generally great, it hasn't been driven much lately by the previous owner. i'm noticing a funny noise that I can only describe as a gentle howl, exactly like a noisy steering pump, which I thought it was at first, as i only noticed it when driving slowly in first, but it's not the steering pump. The noise only happens when you're pressing or releasing the clutch, ie while engaging or disengaging a gear or when you're creeping along slowly in first when the clutch is neither fully in or fully out. Once the gear is fully in and you're not touching the clutch, there's no noise. Nor is there any noise when you depress the clutch in neutral. The clutch action itself feels fine.

Any thoughts from the experienced Forders? All input very gratefully received.

That apart, what a great little car.

[dilateous]

A noise when depressing the clutch sounds a bit expensive. Anything from a worn or damaged thrust bearing, damaged clutch or a moving crankshaft.

Knowing the car's history might give a clue. Like has and the clutch been replaced by the previous owner? When and by whom?
And chances are if it hasn't been replaced it's probably a knackered clutch. And with the no noise in neutral whilst depress you report, perhaps the shock absorber springs might be suspect.

Edited by dilateous on Monday 5th August 11:09

[Blackpuddin]

I'm thinking (hoping) it is the clutch as the gearshift is a bit slower than I recall from the last Focus I drove, is it a dual mass flywheel on these engines?

[Viperz888]

If it's a petrol, then no.
Sounds like clutch release bearing to me