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Marbles in a can!

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Old Oct 19, 2006 | 09:41 PM
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Default Marbles in a can!

I just purchased a 2001 with 18,000 miles.
The previous owner told me that there is a noise know as marbles in a can when shifting from 1st to 2nd.

He told me this is normal.

I am not familiar with this term since I am a previous c4 owner.
Any comments or help would be appreciated.
Thanks.
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Old Oct 19, 2006 | 09:43 PM
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He's absolutely correct. Nothing to be concerned about.
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Old Oct 19, 2006 | 09:45 PM
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What is it???
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Old Oct 19, 2006 | 09:47 PM
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when you shift at high rpm? if so it might be detonation, which is bad. What kind of gas do you use?
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Old Oct 19, 2006 | 09:48 PM
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Always premium!
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Old Oct 19, 2006 | 10:35 PM
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The noise you are refering to is usually at it's worst when the car is in neutral with the motor running and clutch out. Then you really get the marbles in a can noise. Is this the case?
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Old Oct 20, 2006 | 01:22 AM
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Please read this thread.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1525871
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Old Oct 20, 2006 | 03:16 AM
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Originally Posted by photoguy
I just purchased a 2001 with 18,000 miles.
The previous owner told me that there is a noise know as marbles in a can when shifting from 1st to 2nd.

He told me this is normal.

Never heard this noise or talk of it when shifting from 1st to 2nd gear.

The term "marbles in a can" means the noise you may here when the car is in neutral and idling, or more specifically when the engine is shut off with the tranny in neutral.

If you don't want "marbles in a can" noise when you shut the engine off, then put the tranny in first gear and shut the engine off while the clutch pedal is still depressed.
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Old Oct 20, 2006 | 03:18 AM
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Originally Posted by ZeeOSix
Never heard this noise or talk of it when shifting from 1st to 2nd gear.

The term "marbles in a can" means the noise you may here when the car is in neutral and idling, or more specifically when the engine is shut off with the tranny in neutral.

If you don't want "marbles in a can" noise when you shut the engine off, then put the tranny in first gear and shut the engine off while the clutch pedal is still depressed.
Correctomundo....
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Old Oct 20, 2006 | 10:38 AM
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This could also be the belt idler pulley noise. Most noticeable on 1-2 shift. Due to pulley bearing loosing lubrication after a few thousand miles. Sounds like a rattle/clatter when you shift, then it disappears.
Solution; lossen drive belt, remove main belt idler pulley. Remove the bearing seals on pulley and apply lube to bearings. Re-install seals and re-install pulley assembly. Or remove and discard the pulley assembly, buy the re-designed pulley assembly and install.
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Old Oct 20, 2006 | 01:34 PM
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Originally Posted by photoguy
I just purchased a 2001 with 18,000 miles.
The previous owner told me that there is a noise know as marbles in a can when shifting from 1st to 2nd.

He told me this is normal.

I am not familiar with this term since I am a previous c4 owner.
Any comments or help would be appreciated.
Thanks.
I'm thinking he's talking about the noise the trans makes in first gear when starting out - often referred to as marbles in a can because it sorta sounds like marbles rolling around in a can. It's a known sound with the T56, my friends Camaro did it too - see the link that Dan_the_C5_Man posted.

-Rich
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Old Oct 20, 2006 | 02:00 PM
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Originally Posted by vizette
I'm thinking he's talking about the noise the trans makes in first gear when starting out - often referred to as marbles in a can because it sorta sounds like marbles rolling around in a can. It's a known sound with the T56, my friends Camaro did it too - see the link that Dan_the_C5_Man posted.

-Rich
This is correct. I am surprised that so few C5 owners here know what this is.

It is the noise when accelerating slowly in first gear. The video that comes with your new C5 even mentions it. They explain that it is nothing to be concerned with and that there was basically nothing they could do to about it.
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Old Oct 20, 2006 | 02:42 PM
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Again, I have a high-quality DVD of the owner's manual video, just PM me if interested. Thanks.
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