Hey Guyz, driving a 2.5 year old 325i E46 and have had this problem for some time now. Sent to AB and their diagnostics showed nothing wrong with car. Problem is when car is on low gear, say in a car park, whilst driving looking for a spot. A low straining sound can be heard, this "sound" goes away if you finally pick up speed and go into 3rd and then 4th gear. Sometimes if I'm stuck in traffic, say my recent drive to Ipoh during the CNY break, the car just "strains" away on low gear and rev.Anyone experience this? It does not happen all the time, only intermittently, that's why I've been able to "spot" the difference? The problem used to be more acute some while back, sent to AB Glenmarie and they only added more engine oil. Problem seem to go away but it's back again. Car was also recently sent for service, about 6 weeks ago.HELP!!!!
Engine groan when on low gear
- Thread starter tank34
- Start date
-
Click here to become an Official Member of BMW Club Malaysia Download Form
Lee36328
Club Guest
- Joined
- Dec 8, 2004
- Messages
- 2,610
- Points
- 0
I'm no expert, but here's something to try.
While car is stationary, engine running, turn the steering wheels. If you are able to recreate the groaning sound, then it is the power steering pump.
If so, changing the power steering oil and filter may help somewhat.
Cheers.
While car is stationary, engine running, turn the steering wheels. If you are able to recreate the groaning sound, then it is the power steering pump.
If so, changing the power steering oil and filter may help somewhat.
Cheers.
Hi Lee,
I've more or less isolated the problem and it's definitely not steering wheel related. To describe this a bit more, the experience is very similar to those old manual volvo cars.
You shift into first gear and slowly release the clutch, between clutch release and gear "engagging", there this lound groan/strain sound as if something is accelerating to "hook" on before it finally gets into gear. That's the exact sound I hear. Plus, it's quite intermittent. Am not clear on how to simulate except to drive around highway for 2 minutes, then come to a stop on the side of a hill for say 1 minute. If I step on the gas pedal now, the problem may just about surface.
Ken
I've more or less isolated the problem and it's definitely not steering wheel related. To describe this a bit more, the experience is very similar to those old manual volvo cars.
You shift into first gear and slowly release the clutch, between clutch release and gear "engagging", there this lound groan/strain sound as if something is accelerating to "hook" on before it finally gets into gear. That's the exact sound I hear. Plus, it's quite intermittent. Am not clear on how to simulate except to drive around highway for 2 minutes, then come to a stop on the side of a hill for say 1 minute. If I step on the gas pedal now, the problem may just about surface.
Ken
jeffreyewe
Founding Member
- Joined
- Nov 25, 2004
- Messages
- 4,548
- Points
- 63
I'm no expert either, but have you checked the gearbox mountings and long shaft mountings?
Lee,
The "straining" sound slowly eases off as the car picks up speed. At the "top" of the 2nd gear, the sound is almost gone, once it kicks into 3rd gear, then everything is as normal.
The problem is, this happens only intermittently, am not sure how to simulate it. But one sure way is to get stuck in a traffic jam, that is crawling. After 10 mins in the jam, then you can start to hear it.
Mileage on car is no 41,000km.
The "straining" sound slowly eases off as the car picks up speed. At the "top" of the 2nd gear, the sound is almost gone, once it kicks into 3rd gear, then everything is as normal.
The problem is, this happens only intermittently, am not sure how to simulate it. But one sure way is to get stuck in a traffic jam, that is crawling. After 10 mins in the jam, then you can start to hear it.
Mileage on car is no 41,000km.
It's been 2 weeks since it was last inspected and "resolved" by AB Sg. Besi. The initial suspect was like kevster said, a fan problem. Apparently, when idling and to avoid overheating, a switch kicks-on the fan, and the sound I was hearing was apparently the fan running in parrallel with engine noise. Not sure what AB did but I have not heard the noise for some time now.
I have also been monitoring it and the experience is that as long as the car is running "cool" as in mostly on highways, on the move and not stuck in traffic. The fan does not kick in.
I have also been monitoring it and the experience is that as long as the car is running "cool" as in mostly on highways, on the move and not stuck in traffic. The fan does not kick in.
