E46 330i Noises

[Don86]

Hey Guys,

My 330i has been making allot of odd noises lately. The 1st is I noticed a ticking noise from inside the cabin, the best I can describe it, it sounds similar to the Wheel of fortune it does increase slightly with RPM.

The 2nd one I am quite concerend about is I get the thud/knock while I shift from 1st,2nd and 3r, it seems to be getting worse. I have also noticed I need to keep the clutch in for a few seconds before I can engage first, If I leave it in neutral the press the clutch and engage first It needs a bit of force to get it in(Does not grate)

3rd I get a horrible whine when I engage the AC (Was regassed a month ago and does not get used regularly)

4th I get a clunking sound from the Rear Drivers side Wheel when taking corners or under hard braking.

5th This is the latest one, I noticed today while parking my car. I think it may be a tappet noise. Sound like a sewing machine and increases with RPM and sounds like a diesel when idle.


Any Idea's? I am hoping it is not too serious. I have had the Diff bushings replaced, I still need to get the VANOS Seals and Rattle Kit. I have had the subframe inspected and there are no crack or signs of fatigue. She is currently on 128885Km's

 

[moranor@axis]

sounds like you car is possessed...

 

[ClassicB]

Sounds like a lot of trouble, but the tappet noise might be as simple as wrong grade oil used or your oil is short, but not short enough to trigger the warning light.

 

[Don86]

LOL, I will get hold of my local exorcist tonight.

@ Prini, I will check the oil level, if that is the cause would it have caused any damage?

 

[De@nO]

The thud/knocking sound could be diff mounts, mainly the big rear diff mount. - a fairly common problem on the e46's

The clunking sound could be rear trailing arm bushes.

Best advise would be to take it to a good workshop or mechie to get it diagnosed properly.

 

[applehero]

Hey Guys,

My 330i has been making allot of odd noises lately. The 1st is I noticed a ticking noise from inside the cabin, the best I can describe it, it sounds similar to the Wheel of fortune it does increase slightly with RPM.

The 2nd one I am quite concerend about is I get the thud/knock while I shift from 1st,2nd and 3r, it seems to be getting worse. I have also noticed I need to keep the clutch in for a few seconds before I can engage first, If I leave it in neutral the press the clutch and engage first It needs a bit of force to get it in(Does not grate)

3rd I get a horrible whine when I engage the AC (Was regassed a month ago and does not get used regularly)

4th I get a clunking sound from the Rear Drivers side Wheel when taking corners or under hard braking.

5th This is the latest one, I noticed today while parking my car. I think it may be a tappet noise. Sound like a sewing machine and increases with RPM and sounds like a diesel when idle.


Any Idea's? I am hoping it is not too serious. I have had the Diff bushings replaced, I still need to get the VANOS Seals and Rattle Kit. I have had the subframe inspected and there are no crack or signs of fatigue. She is currently on 128885Km's

Don't have much knowledge but the following sounds like the symptoms...

1) Vanos?

2) Synchromesh in the gearbox?

3) Ancillaries belt?

4) Bushes or wheel bearings

5) Not sure...

 

[De@nO]

Regarding # 2
Does the thunk sound like its coming from the rear of the car? if so, im pretty sure it could be the diff bush

 

[ClassicB]

Shouldnt have caused any damage, your warning light didnt trigger yet, so there should still have been enough oil down below not to cause damage. If it is low top up, and on next service, if not done by agents, insist on using Castrol Slx (a bit pricey but well worth every drop)

Hope everything works out, keep us posted.:thumb:

 

[Don86]

Regarding # 2
Does the thunk sound like its coming from the rear of the car? if so, im pretty sure it could be the diff bush

Seems to be comming from the rear. I will jack it up this weekend and take a look

 

[Don86]

Hey Guys,

It has been a while since my last post. Here are the updates to my problems :facepalm:

If you refer to one of my first posts http://www.bmwfanatics.co.za/showthread.php?tid=8695, I had some issues after buying the car, which the dealership fixed. I also got them to do the busings over. So from the
problems that appeared after, I assumed they never did their job, I jacked the car up and took a look. This is what I found:

1. With the car Jacked up, I started her up to find the "Ticking Noise", I discovered it to be a loose exhaust It was vibrating abit just after the cat.

2. So Called Tappet noise, This was caused by a failed DISA.

3. I checked the bushings, all were fine. However, the cause of the knocking was the Jack. I never put the jack back in the boot after the I checked everything, took the car for a drive.... No more knocking or thuds!! That plastic retainer for the Jack is broken so it tends to move around a little

This has been such a relief. Zeemax Quoted me 16k to redo all the busings, which included and inpection 2 service. However I can now put the bulk of that in to some projects for my E46. I think my first project is going to be the VANOS, hopefully FreeRider will reply to my PM in the near future.

The other issues, such as the AC and the Dragging clutch, I can have my warranty cover it to some extent.