Whirr when clutch depressed ? gearbox bearing

[mr g]

I've got an Audi A4 B5 2.8 quattro 1997. Had it for 7 years and not really had any problems. She's getting a bit long in the tooth now though (148K)!

For the past couple of days there has been a whirring noise, louder when I depress the clutch. Worse in low gear, and inaudible in top.
No loss of power, still changes gear okay, just worrying extra whirr.
Does this sound like a dying gear box ? ? dying clutch. Anyone else had same problem? I'm hoping it might be a loose bearing or something but I'm worried it is going to be an expensive job.
The car is probably only worth a couple of grand now and has done a lot of miles , is it going to be worth a gearbox repair?

Anyone know who might be good to sort this out near Cambridge?
I've previously been to audi specialists in Burwell and they seem okay.
(http://www.audi-specialists.co.uk/)
Thanks for any ideas.

[Boardboy]

It could well be the clutch release bearing. Does it do it when you are stationary and in neutral?
Regards Boardboy

[RickT]

is it more of a brrr sound... if so.. clutch release bearing... you may as well just put a full new clutch in rather than just the bearing depending on where and while it's out..

RicKT

[mr g]

Thanks guys!
It's more of a high pitched whine, doesn't happen in neutral at the moment. Could it still be clutch?

G

[mr g]

Ah, I did a google on 'clutch release bearing' from the below it sounds like that may well be the problem..

http://www.drivetrain.com/clutcharticle.html

Step 1 With the engine running and the transmission in neutral, if the noise occurs it is in the transmission, most likely the front bearing supporting the input shaft.
Step 2 If that is not the problem, place your foot on the clutch pedal and begin to depress the pedal. If you begin to hear the noise at this point, the problem is the clutch release bearing. If not, proceed to the next step.
Step 3 Push the clutch pedal all the way to the floor. If you hear the noise at this point it is the pilot bearing or bushing. If you do not hear any noise during this test, the problem is not in the clutch system. Identifying these conditions early before removing and replacing the components goes a long way toward preventing a recurrence of the problem.

Cheers,
G

[RickT]

nice little bit of info there.

RicKT