Help, harsh engine "knocking" in first gear
 

For the last few months I've noticed that my car's been making some really loud knocking noises when starting in first gear. It only happens sometimes, and a few variables have to be in place for it to do it. I was wondering if anyone knows what's up.

Usually it'll knock when:

- Starting off in first gear (a light turning green for ex) at low rpm's
- Engine is cold. It still does it a little when warmed up completely but not as often

It doesn't knock in any other gear at all, including reverse. Just first. This makes me think it's a transmission problem, but I haven't been grinding or anything. When it first started knocking it sounded like my tires losing traction on the ground and I could hear my exhaust system banging around.

Someone told me it was a flywheel problem. I don't think it is, but I'm not nearly as auto-literate as many of you on this forum.

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

if the exhaust is shaking it sounds to me like a weak motormount causing vibrations. In 1s gear vibrations and harshness are more amplified. I also noticed when I put in my front motor mount upgrade that my exhaust quit moving all together....especially at start-up.

I would check for torn motor mounts. Pop the hood and watch your engine....have someone start the car and see how much it wiggles back and forth. Listen for the 'knock" then.

actually thats the same problem i have. Its more like the clutch skips and jerks the transfer case around. What kind of tires are you running. i noticed that when i used my brothers new all season tires from his 3 sedan that it wasnt nearly as bad. If im pulling out of a drive way going up a hill, no matter how cautious i am it stil jumps. It sounds horrible, im still thinking that its clutch skippage, but tell me what you think.

ps, i have the awr front mount on and that made it worse.

Roddimus,

Motor mounts were the first thing I checked. I will check again however, thanks.

javanc,

I'm running high performance 205/40/ZR17 tires. It could be the tires, but seems unlikely. I haven't had the uphill problem, but houston has no hills or anything. I'll take a video if necessary to see if we have the same problem.

Could be the clutch chatter problem - caused by 'hot spots' on the flywheel - 2002 Proteges were affected, and covered under a TSB. Look in the Protege FAQ for details. It feels like the clutch is slipping or the tires are hopping, when starting out from a standstill on cool/cold. It will normally disappear after about 5 minutes of driving. Unfortunately, it may not be covered under warranty if the warranty period for the clutch has expired, but if you have a good dealer and speak with them nicely, you may be successful. I don't know the exact terms for replacement. I had to get mine done twice (the first time they didn't replace the flywheel).

http://web2.airmail.net/theman/protegefaq/

Good luck!

Is the flywheel the only part that needs to be replaced? What you described are the exact problems my car is having (it's a 2002 LX). I doubt they'd replace it under warranty however because of the mods I've put on (header, catback, internals).

Anyone know of a good place to buy OEM Protege flywheels?

Check the link, go to the TSB section for third generation Proteges - you should be able to find a parts listing there. As for warranty, it's probably worth a shot, but since you have some miles, they may consider it wear as opposed to the cltch chatter defect described.

Dale.

I don't know if these cars have a pilot bearing liKe the old rwd cars did, but that's what it sounds like. That's the bearing in the back of the crankshaft that stabilizes the transmission's nose gear.

As you can probably tell from my sig, I know more about old Chevys than rice rockets. Sorry if this is usless outdated info.