I have a 2012 Focus TDCI that has developed (2nd time) a loud whining sound which gets louder during acceleration through all gears. The sound is coming from the passenger side of the engine.  Also, when the vehicle is idle there is a faint noise (from the same area) which disappears immediately when the clutch is pressed down. Comes straight back when I release the clutch.

This happened around two years ago too, exact same sounds/symptoms. Clutch was replaced, dual mass flywheel - no luck. I took it to Ford who diagnosed it as a gearbox fault and quoted a lot of money to strip and diagnose further. I replaced the gearbox as it was a cheaper alternative with a reconditioned one which resolved the problem! However as I mentioned above the issue has come back after two years although this this time with a completely different gearbox.  

Could it be the gearbox again? Or some kind of bearing? Any advise greatly received 

It does sound like a bearing issue, first thought would be the release bearing which is part of the slave cylinder, but if that was replaced before and made no difference then I'd suggest it's likely to be the gearbox input shaft bearing, did the recon box have a warranty, and if so is it valid?

Warranty isn't valid anymore unfortunately. I remember last time replacing and purchasing a 3 piece clutch kit which included the slave cylinder. Just cannot believe I have had two gearbox's that have developed the same fault.

Sometimes we are just unlucky with car parts, I bought a used gearbox once that only lasted 2 months before developing the same problem as the previous one.  Couldn't afford a recon so risked another used one and that survived another 4 years.

We don't know what was replaced in the recon box, if that bearing wasn't replaced then it's potentially now older than yours was when it failed.

 

 

Thanks - Just took it to a gearbox specialist for diagnosis who said the main input shaft bearing bearing is going. I'll look for another gearbox as a repair is too expensive! 

 

Thanks you for your help.

some engines have the ECU programmed when made to limit power/torque in lower gears to avoid damaging gearbox (instead of ford fitting a gearbox that can take the power/torque). some people have the map reprogrammed to remove that limitation. But I suppose the side effect of that is more likely to have gearbox failure. Did you get he car 2nd hand? and hence not know if already remapped. What engine is it ?  (I don't know which do and don't have the power/torque limtation programmed in)