Got a weird sound unless I push the clutch in.

[Johnmadd]

Constant noise without clutch pressed in, will get video tommorow. It is pretty loud. If knowledgeable I will try to vid and post now.

[mimalmo]

Lightweight flywheel noise.

[Johnmadd]

No, I think its more than that.

[spencers]

Only when the clutch is pressed in?? Throwout bearing!

edit: I just saw you said when the clutch is NOT pressed in. Sorry!

[mimalmo]

I'm sticking with my guess. The flywheel on these cars make a strange sound that's a combination of a washing machine and a garbage disposal.

[mikeyb74]

I'm thinking its the throwout bearing. My e30 had a failing throwout bearing which would rattle when the clutch was not pushed in. Oh wait...you said with it pushed in.

[Johnmadd]

Turner stage 1 clutch kit should fix it right? 329$ for stock and 539$ for stage 1. Will either fix my car though? It still drives the same just sounds stupid at idle with the clutch not pushed in.

[mikeyb74]

Performance clutches and lightweight flywheels can be noise. What does the TMS stage 1 kit come with?

[billschusteriv]

I'm thinking its the throwout bearing. My e30 had a failing throwout bearing which would rattle when the clutch was not pushed in. Oh wait...you said with it pushed in.$

I think your first was right Mike - I think John meant clutch out - "not pushed in".

Sorry John - my e30 was manual, but I'm not good with transmission troubleshooting...the only thing I can diagnose for sure is a smoked clutch :biggrin

And a bad clutch slave.

[Johnmadd]

http://static.photobucket.com/player.swf?file=http://vid1210.photobucket.com/albums/cc407/johnmadd1979/2011-03-22_22-45-29_323.mp4

[Johnmadd]

Sooooooooooooooo........what so you think, any guesses are welcome.

[Johnmadd]

It is the suck.

[mimalmo]

http://static.photobucket.com/player.swf?file=http://vid1210.photobucket.com/albums/cc407/johnmadd1979/2011-03-22_22-45-29_323.mp4

I tried to play it but it didn't work for me.

[Marcus-SanDiego]

It did play for me. But it wasn't very loud.

[MrMaico]

It would bet it's throw-out bearing. I've heard them make noise both ways, clutch in and clutch out. Sometimes they will rattle in the fork that holds them with the clutch released (out). Personally, I wouldn't put a lightweight clutch/flywheel setup in. That's just asking for more noise. Stock is the way to go from everything I've read.

[Johnmadd]

I will get a better video later.

[Mike V]

Wow, that is definitely not normal. It sounds like a diesel truck!

[Johnmadd]

New video is louder but I had to rush, will get one more later, sound is with clutch out and clutch in is no sound.
http://static.photobucket.com/player.swf?file=http://vid1210.photobucket.com/albums/cc407/johnmadd1979/2011-03-23_11-36-11_638.mp4

[mimalmo]

Must be something with the format that my computer doesn't like because I can't play that one either.

[danewilson77]

Neither link has worked for me. Thats why I haven't commented. Not giving you the cold shoulder Johnny.

[Marcus-SanDiego]

I can see and hear it perfectly. Unfortunately, I have no technical skills.

[MrMaico]

New video is louder but I had to rush, will get one more later, sound is with clutch out and clutch in is no sound.
http://static.photobucket.com/player.swf?file=http://vid1210.photobucket.com/albums/cc407/johnmadd1979/2011-03-23_11-36-11_638.mp4

OK, I just had a mechanic here at work listen to it and he says it sounds like either the clutch disc hub is going bad or it's the transmission input shaft bearing. Let's hope it's the clutch. I guess I was wrong earlier, he said the throw-out bearing shouldn't make noise with the clutch released. Knowing how BMW has problems with clutch noises I would bet it's the clutch.

Did it just start doing this all of a sudden? Can you hear it while driving slow? How old is the trans fluid? You could try changing it and seeing if it makes any difference, a change in the sound maybe.

Older BMW motorcycles are well known for having a similar sounding transmission rattle with the clutch released but it doesn't cause any issues.
Barry

[Johnmadd]

http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?xl=xl_blazer&v=P4j22XPYltQ
Not the new one but it is loud enough. I will get a better comparison of clutch in clutch out. Thanks for having a mechanic listen to it Barry, appreciate the yep.

[Marcus-SanDiego]

Here is the full size video:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P4j22XPYltQ

[Johnmadd]

Here is the full size video:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P4j22XPYltQ
Thanks Marcus.

[Marcus-SanDiego]

No problem, JM.

[Johnmadd]

Did it just start doing this all of a sudden? Can you hear it while driving slow? How old is the trans fluid? You could try changing it and seeing if it makes any difference, a change in the sound maybe.

Older BMW motorcycles are well known for having a similar sounding transmission rattle with the clutch released but it doesn't cause any issues.
Barry
It happened all of the sudden, I can hear it somewhat when going from 1st to 2nd, sounds like something is making noise spinning and then slowly catches and becomes normal. The clutch doesnt seem to be slipping (weird or high rpm catch up) and still drives the same.

[MrMaico]

It happened all of the sudden, I can hear it somewhat when going from 1st to 2nd, sounds like something is making noise spinning and then slowly catches and becomes normal. The clutch doesnt seem to be slipping (weird or high rpm catch up) and still drives the same.

I still think it sounds like the clutch and not transmission. Hopefully. Norm said it will eventually come apart which doesn't sound good. I would take it to someone familiar with BMWs and have them listen to it. You can also try searching Youtube for BMW clutch noise or clutch rattle.

Good luck....Barry

[danewilson77]

If it is the clutch...do you plan to tackle yourself big guy?

If so...I would like to yep...lol

Droid! Srs Legitness!

[Kudos]

I have not heard the video, but i'll say i had some bad noise similar to what your saying and i replaced throwout bearing and only thing to go away was 500 from my wallet.

[Johnmadd]

I still think it sounds like the clutch and not transmission. Hopefully. Norm said it will eventually come apart which doesn't sound good. I would take it to someone familiar with BMWs and have them listen to it. You can also try searching Youtube for BMW clutch noise or clutch rattle.

Good luck....Barry

Thanks a lot, I am liking that it is likely the clutch.


If it is the clutch...do you plan to tackle yourself big guy?

If so...I would like to yep...lol

Droid! Srs Legitness! I am not sure if I'll do it but if I do than I would definitely like your "yep". Lol on the yep bigtime.

[static667]

About the only thing I can think to do is remove the transmission and actually get a look at it. It sounds like it's a contact issue with the clutch but, I'm not an expert by far.

I would offer some help if I were available. I have changed several clutches before, one in my previous E36, so dropping a transmission isn't a big deal to me. It just takes a little time....and some cussing....

[Johnmadd]

Contact with the issue seems like a good term for it, kind of seems like it is making slight contact when in neutral.

[static667]

It sounds as though it could very possible be a transmission bearing issue. If you are getting the noise when in gear and out of, it might be internal. This is of course my unprofessional opinion.

[Johnmadd]

I'll drop the cash on anything to fix it, but I don't think it is internal as it still drives perfect and it is very, very minimal to unnoticeable when in gear, and I have super ears for new noises.

[static667]

Before bearing completely go out, they can make some God awful noise. I had the bearings going bad in a alternator and it sounded like someone put graven in a blender. But, when it spun, it was smooth...ish. Have you checked the fluid?

[Johnmadd]

Have you checked the fluid?

Will do tomorrow, but since the noise is corrected by pressing in the clutch I wouldn't think that is the problem.

[Johnmadd]

Probably the bearing, probably the reason I got a good deal and the guy was selling it. I don't expect a used car to be perfect, so finance wise I planned for something like this.

[static667]

Sorry about the issue, man. That may be a hard one to DIY. Dropping the transmission itself, not too bad. Opening the gearbox and replacing bearings, not so much.

[MrMaico]

Probably the bearing, probably the reason I got a good deal and the guy was selling it. I don't expect a used car to be perfect, so finance wise I planned for something like this.

I wouldn't think that would have been something he could have predicted was going to happen.

How many miles on it? I still think I'd try changing the trans fluid just to see if the noise changes at all and to see if there's any metal filings in the old fluid. Hopefully if it is the trans you could find a good used one, a new one is around $2800. If it turned out to be the input shaft it may be possible to find someone to replace it. It's usually not that difficult of a job depending on if it needs to be shimmed on assembly.

EDIT: Looking on Realoem it doesn't look like you can even get bits and pieces for the trans, just the complete remans.

Barry

[iZHP]

you can also hear a quick squeak when you depress the clutch....my guess is the clutch.

[Johnmadd]

Couldn't get the fill plug loose and its going to rain all weekend and I don't have a garage so its bad times right now, and the rain will also prevent me from the e30 control arms and tie-rods from going on. Still the same and not any worse, only good thing is I drive the zhp easier which equals better mileage.

[danewilson77]

Couldn't get the fill plug loose and its going to rain all weekend and I don't have a garage so its bad times right now, and the rain will also prevent me from the e30 control arms and tie-rods from going on. Still the same and not any worse, only good thing is I drive the zhp easier which equals better mileage.

I have a garage...

See?

http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/af278/nicee46/Imola%20Bimmer/DSC04225.jpg

[Oli77]

Johnmadd, sounds like the throwout bearing is pretty bad, and I would guess an advanced case of it, nice pics of it in this thread (http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1598628&highlight=fork).

Mine does has a similar behavior, however the noise amplitude is much more subtle. I can get it to be more quiet if I release the clutch very very slowly.

[MrMaico]

Johnmadd, sounds like the throwout bearing is pretty bad, and I would guess an advanced case of it, nice pics of it in this thread (http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1598628&highlight=fork).

Mine does has a similar behavior, however the noise amplitude is much more subtle. I can get it to be more quiet if I release the clutch very very slowly.

Interesting thread Oli. Despite what the mechanic at work said (30+ years experience) I still think the TOB can make noise in either engaged or disengaged positions and that thread seems to back it up. That's really immaterial though as far as which is the problem for John, TOB or clutch disc, since both will be replaced anyway.

[Oli77]

Right you are.

[Johnmadd]

I have a garage...

See?

http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/af278/nicee46/Imola%20Bimmer/DSC04225.jpg

Teasing me or offering to use it? Its well maintained but leaks some oil and power steering fluid and would disgrace your floor. I was only able to get the control arm and bushings of the drivers side because the arm was fused to the strut, banged on it for hours with everything I have including a full size sledge hammer, air chisel, and pry bars and and a ball joint fork. I went and got a second fork and wedged it in with the other one and it popped right off. New one is on and then it got dark. The outer joint was definitely bad.

[danewilson77]

I will let you work on it as long as you need to in my garage brutha. Just lemme know.

Droid! Srs Legitness!

[Johnmadd]

Are you free tommorow afternoon, don't feel obligated though.

[danewilson77]

if we can get your car over here at 1245.....you can work on it all afternoon....and into evening. As long as you need to really. My house is your house Johnny. Then.....I'll give you the clicker to my garage so you can work on when you need to. Sound ok?

I got church in morning.....and I work 1 to 5.......so that would be our window to get it over here.

What's the plan? Do you have parts in hand?

Droid! Srs Legitness!

[Johnmadd]

Wow, my own clicker huh, haha. Thanks Dane, I'll pm you before I come over. I will bring cardboard to put under the car and will treat your garage with respect. If you need anything just let me know including money,beer, food, tools, help doing anything you need around your house or just a spare hand working on your ride. The job should only take a couple hours. Youare very generous and I would like to be able to repay you somehow.

[danewilson77]

Are we workin the zhp or e30?

Droid! Srs Legitness!

[Johnmadd]

E30 man.

[danewilson77]

Ok....no prob. See you at 1245. We'll get it tucked in the garage or you can stay and work on it....

How long you figure you will need?

Droid! Srs Legitness!

[Johnmadd]

Lol, didn't notice that you are working at 1. I guess some other time.

[Johnmadd]

15 minutes is probably not enough time, lolz.

[danewilson77]

No...I mean.....you can stay all afternoon and work on it bro....


What all does the e30 need?

Weather is gonna suck tomorrow. You just need a place to work on the whip, right?

Droid! Srs Legitness!

[Johnmadd]

I'll be alright man. I would feel very uncomfortable with that.

[Johnmadd]

This thread has gone way ot. Pm or general chat thread would probably be better for this, don't you think?

[danewilson77]

Sure. I mean the entire discussion should have been 4 posts.

"Dane...I need to work on the whip"

"Ok John....when are you bringing it over?"

"Tomorrow Dane"

"Ok John"

Offers out there bro. It would be a dry place for you to work on the car. Lemme know.

Droid! Srs Legitness!

[Kudos]

Let us know if the TOB and clutch swap fixed it, cause i swapped my TOB and i had a clutch with 20k miles on it, and it still makes the same noise. Dealer and mechanic told me that it's the fault of the lightweight flywheel they put in the zhp.

[notes2john]

I have the same thing on mine... did you find out what it was and how to fix it? cost?

[Johnmadd]

Still have the noise afterwards... but no issues mechanically.