Funny whistle sound

[126bis1997]

Hi again
Its been a while since I asked something on here.
Lately I've been noticing a particular whistling sound as I accelerate between gears,
Oil level is checked regularly and I've never seen a drop of oil or anything under my BIS even after 24 hours being parked.
I am very curious about this sound and above all , this BIS (1995 make) never gave me a
bit of trouble and last may passed the mot with flying colours'
Any ideas of what is making this noticeable and yet a bit funny noise are more than welcome.
 
Thanking you in advance and hoping to hear from you.

PETER from MALTA.

[ciaoflyer]

Could it be the clutch release baring?  Also did they make the BIS in 95?

[Pete126]

Hi Peter,

My bis also has a high pitched whistle After some investigation the noise was coming from the distributor, this only has happened since i replaced the points and condenser, If you lift the engine lid and wave your hand over the distributor you should be able to ascertain if the noise is coming from there.

I have just left it and after covering 1800 miles the car has never missed a beat and is still running well (Touch Wood)
So if yours is running well I would not worry about it [-/

[dajwid]

Turbo? Supercharger ??

[Rusty's Uncle]

I was talking to a guy last week who had a strange noise from his motor. Turned out to be a small fragment of a crisp packet that had got caught in one of the airways 
If it is running OK then I would say just turn up the radio and enjoy the drive  [-/
As for me my 1972 motor has never had a radio fitted so I just have to suffer 

[Amateb8]

Come to think of it, my 126 Bis also makes a whistling sound, though it is quite faint. I happened recently and I was starting to get concerned. Like Pete's 126 Bis, mine too is running just fine.

[bis13]

its not the kettle starting to boil? sorry i just couldnt help it!

[gsxr126]

Mine has a funny whistling noise but only in second gear. I think ciao maybe right but not sure. Mine definately comes from the gearbox. It also started making some orrible bearing noises on downshift. Went check the oil and it was OK but filled it with 2.6 litres of synthetic and the noises went away completely. Check your gearbox oil as they start to get noisey when they run low on oil. No leaks doesnt neccesarily mean that your not losing oil. Mine doesnt leak but runs low on oil every 5k klms or so.
BTW the manual states 1.1 litres of oil, but Fiatorque uses 2.6 litres of oil in the gearbox. I think this helps lubricate the driveshaft bearings which, in my experience are the first things to go.

[126bis1997]

Thanks for responding.
As pete said,, since the car is running well I should let it as it is but on the other hand
checking the oil level of the gear box is a good option and it makes sense as well.

Now where was that topic about the gearbox regards the tap that lets you fill the gearbox??

[Amateb8]

I am with you on this. On the safe side, I'll check the gearbox oil as I tend to check eveything else except the gearbox. How do you check the gearbox oil? How often does the gearbox oil need changing?

[ciaoflyer]

Don't check it just drain and refill.  You can get the correct oil from Fiat but is a bit pricey!  I then took mine to my local garage and they drained it and then refilled all for £10!  Saves you getting messy!

[gsxr126]

If you fill with oil up to the filler plug you will get @ 1.1 litres in with the car on level ground. I tend to jack the car up so I can get more in.  [-/ I use a 1/2" socket extension with a shifter to undo the plug - works well for me.

I've tried using the bolt that the other thread mentions but i couldnt get any oil in that way

I use synthetic oil cause i rekon it has a higher film strength so should protect better and possibly last longer

The manual states an oil change every 60,000 klm and to check every 10,000. I change mine every 5,000 - might be overkill but dont prefer the alternative.

[Aaron]

GSXR126,

How much do you get out after the 5000 km?  I query this as I've posted a question about overfilling the box here before and was informed that it would all leak out from the axle sealing boots.  I tend to lean to the idea of ovefilling due to my experience with the other old fiat designs (Lada) and oil starvation of bearings.  But if I'm going to end up with a pool of gear oil on my driveway, I don't see the point.

Aaron

[gsxr126]

I've changed my gearbox oil three times since getting it on the road. The first time it dumped about a litre out. I replaced with 1.1 litres as per manual and when dumped was about a litre. I replaced with 2.6 litres and when dumped it was about 2 litres. Have replaced again with 2.6 litres.

I hear your point about the boots. I think the 2.6 litres gets the level to just under the axle and shouldnt leak. If it looks like oil is coming out of your boots then its more than likely seals. Mine did leak from the seals but since replacing them its been sweet.

[Amateb8]

I thought I'd ressurect this thread. It was a lovely evening, so took my Bis for spin. The whistling noise has become louder though it does not seem to affect performance. On idle, I could hear some hissing noise (sounds like steam escaping) as well. Temp gauge looks fine and there is no evidence of overheating. Got out of the car to find out where the hissing noise was coming from. Standing behind the rear bumper, it seems the hissing noise was coming from the radiator / alternator area. It was dark so did not check it though I shall have a look tomorrow morning. What can it be? Any thoughts?