328i E36 gearbox noises
Discussion
Hello everybody, I´ve got a 1996 328i Touring which is making some strange noises that seem to come from the gearbox.
Two years ago I had to replace the engine due to excessive oil consumption, the workshop installed another unit from a 528i E39 auto and fortunately it doesn´t burn any oil. But from that moment there is a whinning noise from the gearbox that sounds only when i´m decelerating; if I keep my foot in the throttle, there isn´t any noise.
And a few months ago it developed another noise, at idle, a kind of "tac-tac-tac" that goes off when I depress the clutch. Yesterday I took my car to apparently reputable workshop. The mechanic did a test drive and put the car on the ramps, and the noise came from the rear end of the gearbox.
The strange thing is, the first noise (the "decelerating noise"), started right after the engine swap...
Anyway, repairing the gearbox is rather expensive, and he recommended to buy an used one and install it.
The question is, as the 328i E36 isn´t the most common car in my country (Spain), is there another BMW (E39 or E46 or something) that uses the same one? I don´t trust too much on locals breakers, do you recommend a good BMW second hand parts specialist in the UK?
Another problem is that I don´t feel the engine particularly smooth, it´s a bit coarse and I can feel some resonances between 3000-3500 rpm. The mechanic says that´s because the engine mounts; they´re Febi ones (I put them two years ago) and simply replacing them with BMW originals will solve that. What do you think?
Thanks a lot.
Two years ago I had to replace the engine due to excessive oil consumption, the workshop installed another unit from a 528i E39 auto and fortunately it doesn´t burn any oil. But from that moment there is a whinning noise from the gearbox that sounds only when i´m decelerating; if I keep my foot in the throttle, there isn´t any noise.
And a few months ago it developed another noise, at idle, a kind of "tac-tac-tac" that goes off when I depress the clutch. Yesterday I took my car to apparently reputable workshop. The mechanic did a test drive and put the car on the ramps, and the noise came from the rear end of the gearbox.
The strange thing is, the first noise (the "decelerating noise"), started right after the engine swap...
Anyway, repairing the gearbox is rather expensive, and he recommended to buy an used one and install it.
The question is, as the 328i E36 isn´t the most common car in my country (Spain), is there another BMW (E39 or E46 or something) that uses the same one? I don´t trust too much on locals breakers, do you recommend a good BMW second hand parts specialist in the UK?
Another problem is that I don´t feel the engine particularly smooth, it´s a bit coarse and I can feel some resonances between 3000-3500 rpm. The mechanic says that´s because the engine mounts; they´re Febi ones (I put them two years ago) and simply replacing them with BMW originals will solve that. What do you think?
Thanks a lot.
If getting a second hand gearbox is not an option or opening it up and changing bearings, just add Ceratec into the gearbox to the tune of 8% of the total volume. It should help reduce the noise coming out of the worn bearing(s) and get more life out of the gearbox. Worked miracles on my 400k E39 manual. Never add it into the automatic gearbox which per design needs certain friction to change gears.
Even if you end up getting another used unit I suggest adding Ceratec to extend its life.
Even if you end up getting another used unit I suggest adding Ceratec to extend its life.
naturalaspiration said:
If getting a second hand gearbox is not an option or opening it up and changing bearings, just add Ceratec into the gearbox to the tune of 8% of the total volume. It should help reduce the noise coming out of the worn bearing(s) and get more life out of the gearbox. Worked miracles on my 400k E39 manual. Never add it into the automatic gearbox which per design needs certain friction to change gears.
Even if you end up getting another used unit I suggest adding Ceratec to extend its life.
I think the best and more economical solution will be installing a second hand gearbox (opening the box and replacing bearings will be a minimum of 1,000 euros), but if I have trouble finding one perhaps I´ll try Ceratec (Liqui Moly?) while I get one. However, the mechanic has scared me a bit when he told me that better no to drive to much my car, if the gearbox breaks while driving it could lock the rear wheels (I suppose that if I´m driving fast enough the gearbox just explodes and the wheels will keep turning).Even if you end up getting another used unit I suggest adding Ceratec to extend its life.
Thanks a lot.
iSore said:
328i's use as ZF 310Z unit, or a 320Z (same thing) - so E46 325i and 328i plus 5 speed 330i, E39 523i, 525i and 528i etc. They're a common unit and very robust. £150 will buy one.
Great news. Thanks!In bimmercat.com I´m seeing that, for the 328i E36, there are three gearboxes:
-320Z THDU (part number 23001222984, for cars until 06.96)
-320Z THMW (23001434485, 06.96- 06.00)
-320Z THCH (23007503993, from 06.00)
Are they the same gearbox, differing only in the year of manufacture? My car was built in 04.96.
And finally, would you suggest a good place to buy a second hand box in the UK? At least a shop that tests them before removing from the donor car...shipping will not be cheap, but as I said I don´t trust too much on my local car breakers.
Thanks again.
B234R said:
Great news. Thanks!
In bimmercat.com I´m seeing that, for the 328i E36, there are three gearboxes:
-320Z THDU (part number 23001222984, for cars until 06.96)
-320Z THMW (23001434485, 06.96- 06.00)
-320Z THCH (23007503993, from 06.00)
Are they the same gearbox, differing only in the year of manufacture? My car was built in 04.96.
And finally, would you suggest a good place to buy a second hand box in the UK? At least a shop that tests them before removing from the donor car...shipping will not be cheap, but as I said I don´t trust too much on my local car breakers.
Thanks again.
The 310/320Z interchange - minor differences in ratios but nothing you'll notice. The 1996 change will be nothing of consequence. In bimmercat.com I´m seeing that, for the 328i E36, there are three gearboxes:
-320Z THDU (part number 23001222984, for cars until 06.96)
-320Z THMW (23001434485, 06.96- 06.00)
-320Z THCH (23007503993, from 06.00)
Are they the same gearbox, differing only in the year of manufacture? My car was built in 04.96.
And finally, would you suggest a good place to buy a second hand box in the UK? At least a shop that tests them before removing from the donor car...shipping will not be cheap, but as I said I don´t trust too much on my local car breakers.
Thanks again.
Various breakers will have these boxes. The only guy I know who does just old stuff is Tim Pollock in Northampton UK, Classic BMW Spares 07770 303005. I know he has E34 320Z boxes and a 330i with the box still fitted.
Well, I can´t complain about been bored with my 328i...
I find a gearbox from a 1997 528i E39, same part number than mine, the workshop fits it, and they call me the 5th gear pops out or "jumps". The mechanic road tested the car, I only tested it in the car lift.
Talk to the guy who sold me the gearbox and of course he tells me that the ´box worked great, but he talks about that "the gear lever could be incorrectly installed, not giving the stick enough "travel" to engage 5th properly". Thing is, the workshop replaced some bushes under the gear lever, and when I tested the car on the lift I felt the stick a bit strange, like a bit soggy.
I´ll talk with the mechanic today, I´m sure he will say me that he did a fine job and the gearbox is to blame, but can the gearbox seller be right about he says? The gearbox was rather cheap and, been naif, I´m not sure somebody sells consciously a defective gearbox to get only €120 and some kind of claim.
I find a gearbox from a 1997 528i E39, same part number than mine, the workshop fits it, and they call me the 5th gear pops out or "jumps". The mechanic road tested the car, I only tested it in the car lift.
Talk to the guy who sold me the gearbox and of course he tells me that the ´box worked great, but he talks about that "the gear lever could be incorrectly installed, not giving the stick enough "travel" to engage 5th properly". Thing is, the workshop replaced some bushes under the gear lever, and when I tested the car on the lift I felt the stick a bit strange, like a bit soggy.
I´ll talk with the mechanic today, I´m sure he will say me that he did a fine job and the gearbox is to blame, but can the gearbox seller be right about he says? The gearbox was rather cheap and, been naif, I´m not sure somebody sells consciously a defective gearbox to get only €120 and some kind of claim.
B234R said:
Well, I can´t complain about been bored with my 328i...
I find a gearbox from a 1997 528i E39, same part number than mine, the workshop fits it, and they call me the 5th gear pops out or "jumps". The mechanic road tested the car, I only tested it in the car lift.
Talk to the guy who sold me the gearbox and of course he tells me that the ´box worked great, but he talks about that "the gear lever could be incorrectly installed, not giving the stick enough "travel" to engage 5th properly". Thing is, the workshop replaced some bushes under the gear lever, and when I tested the car on the lift I felt the stick a bit strange, like a bit soggy.
I´ll talk with the mechanic today, I´m sure he will say me that he did a fine job and the gearbox is to blame, but can the gearbox seller be right about he says? The gearbox was rather cheap and, been naif, I´m not sure somebody sells consciously a defective gearbox to get only €120 and some kind of claim.
On the other hand you can’t really expect to get a decent gearbox for £100, can you?I find a gearbox from a 1997 528i E39, same part number than mine, the workshop fits it, and they call me the 5th gear pops out or "jumps". The mechanic road tested the car, I only tested it in the car lift.
Talk to the guy who sold me the gearbox and of course he tells me that the ´box worked great, but he talks about that "the gear lever could be incorrectly installed, not giving the stick enough "travel" to engage 5th properly". Thing is, the workshop replaced some bushes under the gear lever, and when I tested the car on the lift I felt the stick a bit strange, like a bit soggy.
I´ll talk with the mechanic today, I´m sure he will say me that he did a fine job and the gearbox is to blame, but can the gearbox seller be right about he says? The gearbox was rather cheap and, been naif, I´m not sure somebody sells consciously a defective gearbox to get only €120 and some kind of claim.
Every 320Z gearbox I saw in scrapyards around my city cost about €100-€200, and don´t think the €200 ones seemed better or had more warranty...
The mechanic has told me he will replace the 5th gear spring and bush, like this
https://www.schmiedmann.es/en/bmw-E46/1971364-new?...
I hope it will solve that.
The mechanic has told me he will replace the 5th gear spring and bush, like this
https://www.schmiedmann.es/en/bmw-E46/1971364-new?...
I hope it will solve that.
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