Odd noise from a Skoda Fabia 1.4 classic.

Sounds like it's coming from the diff.

Steve

Check to see if it's wind-related. On a windy day, does it start at a lower road speed when driving into the wind than it does when driving with the wind?

John

What do you mean by not drumming?

Droning is generally wheel bearing issues. Is the noise still the same when under varying engine loads? If it is, then it's most likely a wheel bearing.

wheel bearing probably, check by knocking it out of gear and rolling along. also a change in tone if you corner is another good indication of wheel bearing

Last couple of cars I've had with wheel bearing issues when from nothing to a "dub, dub, dub" speed related noise pretty quickly.

Yes, no change under engine speed or load, just road speed.

Doesn't seem to be different. Was pretty intrusive on at arround town speeds (30 limit no traffic), no matter what direction of travel.

I'll get her to try that, didn't notice the change on corners, but the last time I was with her in the car, they were all slow corners so below the speed it kicked in.

Hmmm, one thing I hadn't thought of, and there isn't any dipstick for the gearbox/diff.

Elder wrote in news: snipped-for-privacy@news.individual.net:

It does seem to be wheel bearing noise to me. With these new fangled hydraulically pressed in one that need 18 gazillion torques on the hub nut, it is harder to find a slack wheel by lifting and shoogling it. Take all the wheels off and spin the hubs to see if one feels rougher than the others. You won't feel a difference if you leave the wheel on, unless it is really knackered. The other fix, according to a mechanic friend, is turn the ICE up until you can't hear the problem. :-)

Tyres worn out of round maybe. I had the same thing on my Alfa, thought it was the wheel bearing. Changed the tyres as recomended by the garage and it cleared it up.