E36 Engine on Startup HELLLPPPPP

[Salohcin]

Hey all,

I have a problem, it is not a happy new year and I hope that you guys can help......

So yesterday I started my car and man did I cringe, a nasty nasty mechanical clanking came from the engine and then it just stopped, drove completely fine after that... I thought hmmm that was weird, had a good nights sleep etc. This morning however I started my car again, to go to work. Same problem same noise and with me cringing all over again.

Anyone know what this could be? Driving me insane I tell you!

Thanks guys.

Regards

 

[Mr_Cassidy]

Hi, I think that you shouldn't stress to much...

It sounds to me as if you have a sticky solenoid in your starter. It seems as if the starter stays engaged for a little while once the engine is running, and then slips out slowly, causing the noise.

Please give us more detail---> what kind of noise exactly/ druation of the sound/ did it sound like a grinding or knocking?

Dose it do this once the engine is warm?

It's just a thought, hope it is helpful.

 

[Salohcin]

Mr Casidy,

Thank you for the thrifty response.....

Both times I have started the car the car it was cold, it lasts for about 3-4 seconds, to me it sounds like a knocking car and it shakes the car.

When I get home from work today I will turn it on and off again, while the engine is still warm.

What would I have to do if it is indeed a sticky selenoid?

Thank you for all your help thus far.

Regards

 

[Peejay]

Yep 2nd the starter motor

 

[Mr_Cassidy]

Mr Casidy,

Thank you for the thrifty response.....

Both times I have started the car the car it was cold, it lasts for about 3-4 seconds, to me it sounds like a knocking car and it shakes the car.

When I get home from work today I will turn it on and off again, while the engine is still warm.

What would I have to do if it is indeed a sticky selenoid?

Thank you for all your help thus far.

Regards

You are welcome Salochin.

What model is your cab?

Very Very easy to test if it is the starter --- if your car has a Manuel G/Box.

Park on a steep incline, put the car in the 2nd/3rd gear put the ignition on and kick start it. If there is no noise then it is definately a starter related problem.

If this is the case then;
The next step is to remove the starter...

If it is a sticky solenoid: - I have a spare one that you can have for R100(Original BMW):thumb:

1>If you have a 6 clyinder M50 engine like mine it's a mission to get to. I can give you some tips if you'd like.
2> Cheap Repair ---> Spare easily avaliable at most places. - Not more than R250 for a good generic part.

Keep us posted on your progress.
Cass.

 

[Sankekur]

Had a problem similar to this a few weeks back, except on mine the solenoid would push the gear of the starter only partly into the ring gear resulting in a grinding noise when starting the car, it escalated to the point where it wouldn't push the gear in at all, ended up changing my starter.

 

[Salohcin]

Thank you Cass!!!!

It is a E36 straight six automatic... Tips and also places where to purchase such a part are most welcome!

Regards,

 

[Mr_Cassidy]

Auto... Dam that means you can't kick start her. --->That means no way of testing if the starter is the "Noisy" part.

I had a look at your Profile it says your in Cape Town... Unfortunatley I live on the South Coast of Durban.

Ok. before I go to far... Do you mind getting on the ground, a mouth full of sand, slightly brusied hands and some or maybe alot of frustration?

If you do then stop reading here and call a mechanic. It is not a difficult proecdure but can be Very frustrating if you have big hands and little experience.

So... U wanna go ahead, you have been warned.

Do you have some decent tools??

There are 2 ways to do this,

1> From the top by removing the intake manifold and ALOT of other Jazz that goes with it.
2> From underneath which is the way I have done it once or twice. - and the way i'll try to explain - I'm new at this.

What you need is the fillowing:

4 x stands or a ramp -- The idea is to get under the car.
1 x decent rachet
1 x 6" Extention
2 or 3 x 12" extentions
1 x Knuckle
1 x short 16 Ring spanner
1 x 13 Ring spanner
1 x 10 ring spanner
1 Assistant with tiny hands
1 x 6pack of hunters gold... or more.

1st) step is to get a pen and paper and note how the starter is wired, then disconnect the (+) terminal from the battrey.

2)Remove all wiring from the starter ----> Make notes of you have to but it realy isn't rocket science.
Now have a cyder.

3) Get the assistant to feel for the bolts at the top of the bell housing underneath the end of the intake manifold. Once he knows which bots they are...
More drink then...

4)Hook up all your extentions with the knuckle and 12 torx at the end...

5) Get under the car with saftey goggles, push your extention upwards and "on top of" the gearbox guiding it towards the assistans hands which are waiting to put the torx in/over the bolt.
You deserve another drink for that.

6) Repeat the procedure for the second bolt.... you might need the 16 ring spanner to be placed over the bolt by the assistant so that it dosent just keep turning and not unscrewing.

And that's about it, Be carful when removing the starter you don't wanna damage anything while wiggling it out.

Okkkay it's time for me to go home now...

Cheers Bru
Cass.

 

[Sankekur]

I would also recommend going from underneath, removing the intake manifold is not something you want to do unless you really have to. You could try goldwagen for a new starter or if I not mistaken there was a starter for a e36 for sale in the for sale section not to long ago, so that might also be worth a try.

 

[Salohcin]

Cass my man,

It is too early for me to be snorting into my coffee. Thank you so much for the detailed response and the humour. I will round up a mate and con him into free beer like you suggested.

Thanks Sankekur for the info on the part.

Will keep you guys posted.

Regards,

 

[faheemo]

yes , i have the e36 starter for sale , it's still available.
check the for sale section for pics.

 

[P1000]

May I recommend an amendment to step one: Always remove the negative lead from the battery first. If you try to remove the positive lead, you can easily touch the body with the spanner, cause lots of sparks, possibly damage some electronics and also possibly set your car on fire.

 

[Mr_Cassidy]

Cass my man,

It is too early for me to be snorting into my coffee. Thank you so much for the detailed response and the humour. I will round up a mate and con him into free beer like you suggested.

Thanks Sankekur for the info on the part.

Will keep you guys posted.

Regards,

Alright, cool man. Best of luck for this mission,
Cass.:thumbsup:

---

May I recommend an amendment to step one: Always remove the negative lead from the battery first. If you try to remove the positive lead, you can easily touch the body with the spanner, cause lots of sparks, possibly damage some electronics and also possibly set your car on fire.

Thanks P1000, good point there. We wouldn't want that mother sized battrey bolwing up in our face either.

 

[Sankekur]

May I recommend an amendment to step one: Always remove the negative lead from the battery first. If you try to remove the positive lead, you can easily touch the body with the spanner, cause lots of sparks, possibly damage some electronics and also possibly set your car on fire.

This is good advice, always do this when you are working with anything remotely electrical on your car.

 

[Salohcin]

Cassidy,

I tried to start the car when it was warm like you suggested, started ferfectly without the noise.

What does this mean?

Regards,

 

[Mr_Cassidy]

:thinking:

Just as I suspected... Heat causes some expansion/makes oil and sludge more viscose... Thereby allowing the sticky parts to move more freely.

It is starter related. Once you remove the starter then you can check if it's a sticky solenoid or faulty/jaming Bendix.

Cheerz,
Cass.

 

[Salohcin]

So guys an update.

IT WAS NOT THE STARTER LOL!!!!!

So let me explain what had happened. About 4 months ago I was in a front end car accident. They repaired the car. This weekend I opened the bonnet to find that the thermostat and cooling system were not secured. What has happened is the cooling pipe got into the way of the fan that cools the engine, hence the start up sounding terrible. 3 out of the 13 blades on the fan are now broken and the pieces of plastic were lodged between metal :shocked: so the place that fixed me car are collecting my vehicle today and I am asking them to carry the cost as the repair was never done correctly. You guys agree? They told me they were going to see if the reapair relates to the accident that I had......

Oh yes when this is fixed I want to sell this car. If someone is interested in bringing this car up to scratch (make it their project) I am willing to sell it very cheaply. I wish I had the time to do so, but my work is very demanding guys and I really need a car that I can rely on.

Private message me and we can talk.

PS. Thanks for all the help guys, It is really nice to be able to post threads and having friendly responses.
Regards,

 

[Mr_Cassidy]

So guys an update.

IT WAS NOT THE STARTER LOL!!!!!

So let me explain what had happened. About 4 months ago I was in a front end car accident. They repaired the car. This weekend I opened the bonnet to find that the thermostat and cooling system were not secured. What has happened is the cooling pipe got into the way of the fan that cools the engine, hence the start up sounding terrible. 3 out of the 13 blades on the fan are now broken and the pieces of plastic were lodged between metal :shocked: so the place that fixed me car are collecting my vehicle today and I am asking them to carry the cost as the repair was never done correctly. You guys agree? They told me they were going to see if the reapair relates to the accident that I had......

Oh yes when this is fixed I want to sell this car. If someone is interested in bringing this car up to scratch (make it their project) I am willing to sell it very cheaply. I wish I had the time to do so, but my work is very demanding guys and I really need a car that I can rely on.

Private message me and we can talk.

PS. Thanks for all the help guys, It is really nice to be able to post threads and having friendly responses.
Regards,

Hahahahha... Like my quote says... :thinking: It's probably something stupid...

I'm glad you found the "rat"... Thank's for the update. I'll PM you for the cars detials.

Regards,
Cass.