Bad bearing noise at low RPM when releasing clutch

[jdsande3]

I have a manual transmission, and I have started to notice there is what sounds to be a bad bearing noise as soon as I release my clutch at low RPM. This is the only time I can hear it. I have 70k on the car, and it has the original clutch components. The noise is more pronounced when taking off on a steep incline, and today, I noticed the noise when I was pulling the car on some ramps to change the oil. The interesting thing, I can hear the bearing noise as soon as I release the clutch and when I got to the top of the ramp and depressed the clutch I could hear it spinning down (as in the car stopped and something spinning down). I had Audi look at it (still under CPO warranty), of course they heard the noise but had no idea but pulled the tranny and fixed a leaking input shaft seal.

Could it be the release bearing? (though I do not hear it in neutral at all)
Dual mass flywheel?
Clutch getting ready to go?

Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

[Allowencer]

I would lean towards possibly the throwout bearing, but you would only hear that usually on engagement and then disengagement. Is that where you are hearing it? Or is it only on the disengagement?

[jdsande3]

When the pedal is depressed, I don't hear it at all. I can usually only hear it when the engine is at low RPM (so not much engine noise) as I start to engage the clutch, then I can hear it for a little bit after that (especially up a steep hill) then don't hear it at all (perhaps too much road/engine noise). The weird thing is, going up the ramps (to change my oil) I could he it spin down when I pressed the clutch pedal, so I guess in that instance, I heard it engaging and disengaging the clutch. When I heard it spin down, the clutch was pushed in all the way, after is spinned down, no noise again until I try to engage it.

[jdsande3]

After more trouble shooting, I thought it may be coming from the turbo, because it only happens at low RPM and under load. I was able to replicate the sound by loading the motor while the e-brake was engaged. I was able to capture the sound of video below (happens about the 1-2 second mark):



Doing some more research, I found the following thread:

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...n-driving-away

seems to be the same sound, however, he says Audi finally stated it was normal. Is this really normal? Any of the 6MT guys ever notice this?

Thanks for all the help!

[jdsande3]

By chance any more thoughts about this being normal? Thanks!

[STA4]

If it kind of sounds like a vacuum and it happens when you're applying gas, then releasing, it may be the diverter valve. I have a GFB DV+ and this sound is much more pronounced. Perhaps try mounting your camera near the turbo and do some more recordings.