Help...unsettling vibration...E46 320D

[Rocco]

Howzit Fanatics

I’m in a bit of a jam...I have a 05 e46 320D and the car has a very nasty vibration which sounds like something is touching the body. The vibration is worse when the car is in P or D but not moving...when it’s in N the vibration is not as hectic and audible. The vibration also varies when one turns the steering wheel from side to side at stand still. When the car is moving there is no vibration. The car did pop its water pump when it was on 159000km and soon after that the vibration started! I took it back to the garage that worked on the car but they have run out of ideas...well he mentioned that the belt tensioner and pulley needs to be replaced and is adamant its not the vibration damper but I have returned it numerous times already.
The car is on 174000 and is due for service in 1800km but the ride is so uncomfortable and unsettling I can’t deal anymore!:bangdesk:

Any ideas?

 

[netercol]

sound to me like another crank pulley gone bad.. common problem on the e46 320d.. the rubber center rips.

 

[racing snake]

ja sounds like the vibration damper, not sure where you are located but im prepared to have a look if you like. 083 273 1840. shaun.

 

[Philip Foglar]

Yep, what was said above!!! A stuffed crank dampener pulley will eat your belt driven ancillaries as well!!

 

[Rocco]

Thanks for the feed back gents, but how often do they go...according to the motorplan print out, it was replaced when the car only had 48000km on the clock...

Im based in in the Germiston area Shaun and if you in and around the Jhb area I'll take you up on your offer:thumbs:

 

[Philip Foglar]

It's a common issue, but I don't think there's a way of predicting how long these things last. Personally if I had a 320d or a 330d I would buy a spare and hang on to it, because then Murphy's Law dictates that I will never need it then! :rollsmile:

 

[netercol]

its seems to be a much more common fault than bmw will admit, even with the newer 2l diesels.. some on the forum have replaced 3 times already iirc..

 

[Philip Foglar]

A friend of mine had an E46 320d and one morning he starts the car with a bang and very nasty sounds from the engine bay - immediately switches off and finds this culprit! Luckily it happened when stationary and not on the road!

 

[Rocco]

Howzit gents

Found a contact who works at one of the Steelers and last Sunday he came over to my place and went straight to work on the stabelizer bars and also one bolt on the suspension was slightly striped and didnt fasten all the way. He greased the stabilizer bars and changed the bolt. There is still a slight vibration which is only audible/noticable once the car has warmed up (no vibration from a cold start) he says one of the engine mounts has a slight crack and needs to be replaced...will do the whole lot!