Topic: underfill of tranny fluid lead to bearing noise?

[21Rouge]

My Pontiac Vibe is an '05 5 speed. It now has just under 12,000 miles. I have noticed in the past couple of mornings (first start-up after sitting all night) that the transmission makes 'scratchy' slightly 'marbly' sounds while the shifter is in neutral with clutch *not* depressed. The noise goes away immediately when I depress the clutch (while still idling). Isnt this symptomatic of a throw out bearing? After 5 minutes of driving the sound disappears completely at idle. And as far as I know never reappears the rest of the day. I have no trouble shifting gears at anytime. A couple of weeks earlier I had someone do a tranny fluid drain and fill. Would I get the symptoms I describe if it was under filled...even slightly?

[wing]

I'm not expert, but what you describe does sound like the throw out bearing.... but I don't think that has anything to do with tranny fluid

Some cars are noisier than others as well....

[exserviceguy]

Hi Box...
Wing is correct, the throwout bearing is not affected by then trans oil level because the bearing is not 'inside' the transmission oil bath area, it sits 'outside' on the transmission input shaft.  The noise you describe is usually related to a throwout bearing.  To determine whether or not it's 'normal', check out a few used units with similar mileage on a dealer's lot to see if they make the same noise.

[articsteve]

Its not your release bearing going bad if that is what your concern is.  Maybe a brief noise off a vibrating fork under no load. You just gotta cold start winter noise.  Come and listen to my Saab start and run on a cold morning.   You got the warranty.   If something is not right in that area then it will show up sooner than later.

Lack of tranny fluid will result in hard and grinding shifts.