[Transmission] Gearbox/Clutch rumble

[Yamato 41]

Hi all, quick question concerning my 2014 B9 1,6hdi with 187k kilometers on it. Recently I've noticed at Idle with the clutch disengaged (neutral, foot off clutch pedal) I have a rumbling sound which disappears once the pedal is depressed, am I correct in assuming that this is a bad bearing in the gearbox itself and not the clutch release bearing? The clutch was replaced at about 125k kilometers 4 years back including pressure plate and release bearing. 
I was hoping to hang onto the Berlingo for another 18months or so when it will no longer be permitted in our ULEZ zone and look to replace it then.
How likely will it hold out another 20k or 18 months ? Or is it still worth fixing?

thanks

[OMG]

Sounds like the thrust bearing to me. Bearings in the box usually whine all the time and the noise escalates with speed . Would thought it would last a while if it’s only just started being noticeable.

[geoff]

I'd have thought the release bearing ...... lifespan ??

Making it last could involve a change in driving style, eg :

Not holding the clutch down / in gear when stationary in traffic or indeed at any time ( do you do that ? )

Flicking the box out of gear before you stop, ie coast the last few yards

Change from 1st to 3rd when possible, similarly 3rd to 5th etc  

Move off in 2nd on a downhill

Going down the box - let the box stay in a higher gear and use the brakes more rather than going through all the gears

Esentially any method of not / never pressing the clutch pedal down and when you do just minimise the time the pedal is held down to an absolute minimum

[Gryffindor]

In the last few months before the ULEZ ban comes in, a lot of people will be selling off non-compliant vehicles, so the sales market will be saturated and prices will crumble. Sell yours before then.

I suggest you put it right soon, ready for sale in say 3 or 9 months (I would have said 6 but winter is not a good time to sell cars), and then use that time to save up for and source its replacement.

[Gryffindor]

I'd have thought the release bearing ...... lifespan ??

Making it last could involve a change in driving style, eg :

Not holding the clutch down / in gear when stationary in traffic or indeed at any time ( do you do that ? )

Flicking the box out of gear before you stop, ie coast the last few yards

Change from 1st to 3rd when possible, similarly 3rd to 5th etc  

Move off in 2nd on a downhill

Going down the box - let the box stay in a higher gear and use the brakes more rather than going through all the gears

Esentially any method of not / never pressing the clutch pedal down and when you do just minimise the time the pedal is held down to an absolute minimum

There speaks an experienced driver.

[Yamato 41]

In the last few months before the ULEZ ban comes in, a lot of people will be selling off non-compliant vehicles, so the sales market will be saturated and prices will crumble. Sell yours before then.

I suggest you put it right soon, ready for sale in say 3 or 9 months (I would have said 6 but winter is not a good time to sell cars), and then use that time to save up for and source its replacement.

In the meantime we've had a "stay of execution" for Euro 5 diesels, it's now been moved to Jan 1st 2026 probably due to the general election next year, might hang onto it for a while longer.