M3 Gearbox Rattle/Chatter

[French]

OK when my M3 Evo gets warm/hot the G\box rattles.

I have read a few threads here & there about it but have never really heard many complaints on here which is odd as people love to whinge about the possible vano’s affair.
So when hot it rattles, not when its cold ,it also goes away when the clutch is depressed, in fact I read a few people always switch of the engine with the clutch depressed.
So is it common or I am just LUCKY

[E21_Ross]

French said:

OK when my M3 Evo gets warm/hot the G\box rattles.

I have read a few threads here & there about it but have never really heard many complaints on here which is odd as people love to whinge about the possible vano’s affair.
So when hot it rattles, not when its cold ,it also goes away when the clutch is depressed, in fact I read a few people always switch of the engine with the clutch depressed.
So is it common or I am just LUCKY

sure it's not the clutch release bearing of the gearbox input shaft? i had a similar problem with my old E21 and it was the clutch release bearing; it was so shot to bits it had fallen into the bell housing! new clutch kit sorted it and hey presto, no gearbox rattle that would probably be my first thoughts....

[dan101smith]

Yep, it'll be the bearing, or do you have a lightweight clutch/flywheel?

[MarkwG]

^as above^ - thirded!

[duff]

If the noise goes away when the clutch pedal is depressed, I'd say it'd the gearbox layshaft bearing. Not much you can do about it as there is no viable reapair, you'd have to chance a s/hand box which could be the same or worse. I believe many were noisy from new.

[E21_Ross]

duff said:

If the noise goes away when the clutch pedal is depressed, I'd say it'd the gearbox layshaft bearing. Not much you can do about it as there is no viable reapair, you'd have to chance a s/hand box which could be the same or worse. I believe many were noisy from new.

not necessarily so, as said with mine, noise went away as soon as clutch pedal was depressed, and it was clutch release bearing. Nothing to do with gear box....luckily!

[duff]

I always assume the worst!

[David111]

In the past this rattle that went away when the clutch was was released was usually the release bearing and changed with the clutch.

[French]

Hmmm I see why its never discussed here no one has it? strange as it is supposedly a common feature of the EVO box ?
Well according to the Indy I use alot, he told me to use a thicker Oil & that will stop it but may make the gear change a bit stiff when cold! This noise is only there when its hot .
http://www.bmwowner.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&am...



Ah I have answered my own question ,did a search & there is an almost identical post to this one here

http://www.bmwowner.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&am...
Strange how no one on this forum has this ,apparently common Evo characteristic ??

[GTV6M3]

mine sounds like it's full of marbles at idle once hot.. it's definitely not the clutch release bearing, as that was changed with the clutch a little while ago and it didn't help at all

whether they all do it who knows, but I'm sure it has become louder while I've owned the car, and combined with the couple of times the gearbox has decided it wants to jump out of gears or not even go into gear without being forced (both episodes lasted a day or so, once at the nurburgring ) has convinced me to buy another box which will be going in soon.