# Strange car noise in first gear

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strange-car-noise-in-first-gear/202720>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [September 20, 2003, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strange-car-noise-in-first-gear/202720 "2003-09-20T01:08:02Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![barbitu8](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/839c29/32.png) [@barbitu8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/barbitu8)\
**Post date:** [September 20, 2003, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strange-car-noise-in-first-gear/202720/1 "2003-09-20T01:08:02Z")

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I plan to take my 94 Honda Civic to the dealer eventually, when I get around to it, but there is no hurry. The car runs fine. However, when I first start up the car and press the gas pedal still in first gear, it will make a strange noise, something between a leak in the exhaust system and a racing of the engine. It will sometimes repeat this noise during my driving, but only while I’m in first gear and got my foot on the gas pedal.

I had a new exhaust system put in recently, so I don’t think that’s the problem, and the noise is from the engine area. I still have my original clutch, and I suspect it may be related to that. Does anyone have any ideas?

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**Author:** ![Reeder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c6cbf5/32.png) [@Reeder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reeder)\
**Post date:** [September 20, 2003, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strange-car-noise-in-first-gear/202720/2 "2003-09-20T01:28:58Z")

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It does sound like the clutch is slipping. That would make the engine race.

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**Author:** ![Jake4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/bc8723/32.png) [@Jake4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jake4)\
**Post date:** [September 20, 2003, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strange-car-noise-in-first-gear/202720/3 "2003-09-20T01:42:00Z")

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Clutch slipping is most noticable in higher gears usually (at least in my limited experience) so it might not be that. But a 10 yr-old-car with original clutch is indeed suspect. Have it checked out, the repair should be in the $300-400 range.

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**Author:** ![Una\_Persson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/una_persson/32/346_2.png) [@Una\_Persson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Una_Persson)\
**Post date:** [September 20, 2003, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strange-car-noise-in-first-gear/202720/4 "2003-09-20T02:01:32Z")

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> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by barbitu8 \*  
> \*\*I had a new exhaust system put in recently, so I don’t think that’s the problem, and the noise is from the engine area. \*\*

Ah, but you could still have a loose exhaust or exhaust bracket that is rattling. This happened to my car after the transmission was replaced, and the exhaust not installed quite as tight as before. Plus, a loose exhaust rattle can sound like it’s from a different area than the immediate repair. Ask yourself - did the noise start immediately after or soon after the exhaust work was done?

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**Author:** ![barbitu8](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/839c29/32.png) [@barbitu8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/barbitu8)\
**Post date:** [September 20, 2003, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strange-car-noise-in-first-gear/202720/5 "2003-09-20T02:19:26Z")

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Well, actually it has been a couple of years, so I doubt it was a sloppy exhaust repair. I had the exhaust and muffler replaced, but is it possible that there is a leak further up the system, towards the engine. However, with 95,000 miles and 10 years, I guess it’s time for a new clutch.