e46 318i 1999 auto... New owner....squeaks ... Lock up?!

pommiesa3series

New member
Hi there new to forum. Just got a 318i E46 M43 auto with 150,000k's on the clock.

Q1) in the last week a quiet but high pitch squeak from engine bay on startup, sounds like belt but they look ok. What could it be?

Q2) Auto box SEEMS to be sweet changing all gears very nicely but 2 things... V Rarely but sometimes when slowing down from say 100kms/h rear wheels seem to lock up for a 10th of a second .... Gulp... whilst changing down (not me doing gears). Like I say into gear, neutral reverse very smooth normally.

Q3) when idling at robots in auto D gear it sits at say 800rpm no probs, then 1 in 50 times it judders down to 600rpm then back up to 800 like it's slipping less.

Any help with above greatly appreciated.

 

BMW M

///Member
Hi Pommie,

Welcome to the forum, I'm no expert, other than my experience this is what was wrong on my e46 325i.

Q1) Replaced the belt tensioner and viscous clutch on fan, no more squeeks.

Q2) :thinking: No idea

Q3) Replaced Cam Position Sensor when mine did this. 100% afterwards.

Im sure you could have the codes read to shed more light. :thumbsup:
 

pommiesa3series

New member
BMW M said:
Hi Pommie,

Welcome to the forum, I'm no expert, other than my experience this is what was wrong on my e46 325i.

Q1) Replaced the belt tensioner and viscous clutch on fan, no more squeeks.

Q2) :thinking: No idea

Q3) Replaced Cam Position Sensor when mine did this. 100% afterwards.

Im sure you could have the codes read to shed more light. :thumbsup:

Thanks BMW M, I'm in cape town, northern suburbs, any where over this side to get the codes read?

 

P1000

///Member
Q2) most likely caused by slop in the drivetrain. Can be due to diff/guibo/diveshafts/engine+gearbox mounts/diff mounts or any combo of that list. Best way to diagnose is to get under the car while it is on axle stands or a lift, and someone inside to hold the brake firmly and shift from reverse to drive and back again. Ideally nothing should move. It could also be caused by the check balls in the valve body, but lets hope it is not that.
 

pommiesa3series

New member
P1000 said:
Q2) most likely caused by slop in the drivetrain. Can be due to diff/guibo/diveshafts/engine+gearbox mounts/diff mounts or any combo of that list. Best way to diagnose is to get under the car while it is on axle stands or a lift, and someone inside to hold the brake firmly and shift from reverse to drive and back again. Ideally nothing should move. It could also be caused by the check balls in the valve body, but lets hope it is not that.

Hi P1000 thanks for reply. You seem to know your stuff. Car also after a 20 min run today started firing on 3 cylinders!!! I think I'd beter get it to the doc & diagnosed ASAP!
 
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