Engine Tranny screaming..or so I think

Tranny screaming..or so I think

Its been a while since I've posted a "Problem" since I've been enjoying a pretty smooth almost new car after I got a new engine installed few months ago. I've got a killer 160K on my 01 Prizm now (new engy came in at 151K) and few days ago, I started noticing a weird scream/grind/chatter like noise every time I accelerate. Its very distinct when taking off from a complete stop and at those in between gears shift speeds (like when its about to shift a gear up as you're speeding up). What could be causing this, tranny? flywheel? clutch? I wanna find out before I take it in somewhere and I know of no better place to ask than here. Any and all help is appreciated..

So you got a new engine and didn't replace the clutch? The flywheel is just a piece of metal. I don't think it can go bad.

It can actually. After normal wear, teeth from it can break off.

well the flywheel should be able to last for at least 2 resurfacings or 200K.

It could be that the clutch is not being released all they way.. so master cylinder? slave cylinder? clutch fork? or release bearing? Have someone push the clutch while you watch the slave cylinder to clutch fork contact points to make sure everything is functionng properly.

the hydraulics won't hold the pressure plate back (ie not being released all of the way) unless there's a problem with how the fork is installed. The hydraulics should always return back to normal -- both the slave and the master have springs that make it do this, along with the pressure plate should push on the fork to allow the hydraulics to release.

if you're hearing chatter it could be from a leaking rear main and the clutch isn't grabbing, or it could be from the engine getting too hot and there are hot spots on the flywheel.

its gotta be your tranny gone or clutch breaking into pieces slowly while you drive.

Dunno if this helps but mine is a 3speed auto. I hear the scream every time I accel. and it stops for a few secs, then I hear it again and I feel it shifting to the next gear. So am I looking at a dying clutch or the whole tranny?

When I got my new engine, I got a full tranny drain and new fluid filled. Although I havent checked the level lately. I'll do that today before leaving work and post back. Hope its just this simple..and not a big prob

So is this car an auto or a 5 speed?

Hope that helps.

FYI, if you have an auto you do not have:

clutch
flywheel
pressure plate
clutch hydraulics

so none of those can be a problem.

You have a flexplate that has the torque converter bolted to it.... the flexplate cannot be the fault.

just an FYI.

Checked tranny fluid, looks good, so one hypothesis eliminated.

Didnt know any of that, a lot of hypotheses eliminated.

So what could possibly causing the screaming? Should I be paranoid and take it in ASAP?

Take it in - either have a competent mechanic/dealership look into it or have the people that installed the replacement engine check to make sure they didn't mess the transaxle up.

post up a vid or something so we all can hear the problem