Wondering if anyone can help identify the source of this rubbing noise.

When I start the car cold the rubbing noise will be very strong. After a minute or so it will slowly fade away. I could almost swear the sound is coming from right under the gear shifter. The rubbing sound is in sync with engine speed (rpm's). After the rubbing initially fades and I begin to drive, within a few minutes it's back in all forward gears (haven't tried reverse). No matter if the clutch is engaged or not, it's there. While driving, the rubbing is soft or strong depending on what gear I'm in and engine speed.

When the car is stopped (at a light or parked in neutral) the rubbing will slowly fade away after a minute or so only to re-appear when the car is put back in gear and engine speed increased.

I'm almost positive it's coming from the area under the gear shifter as I think I can feel the rubbing while holding the shifter ****.

Anyone know what this might be?

Thanks!

 

Ok, sounds more like a knock than a rub. Definitely not coming from the engine.

 

It's probably the whirring noise of all the bearings and gears and whatnot in there, all spinning around.

Does it slow down & stop when you push the clutch in? Stop immediately if you put it in gear?