E39 530i transmission vibration

[swampy442]

Not long had the car but there's a subtle low frequency vibration/rumble thats engine revs dependant. Only at lower revs, worst around the 2k mark but goes away at higher revs.

I just changed the gearbox mounts thinking thats the cause but its still there, thinking engine mounts now.

Any input or knowledge? Cheers

[d_a_n1979]

swampy442 said:

Not long had the car but there's a subtle low frequency vibration/rumble thats engine revs dependant. Only at lower revs, worst around the 2k mark but goes away at higher revs.

I just changed the gearbox mounts thinking thats the cause but its still there, thinking engine mounts now.

Any input or knowledge? Cheers

Car needs to be up on ramps and inspected, thoroughly

Could be engine mounts, could also be guibo and centre bearing etc

All needs to be checked, properly

[swampy442]

d_a_n1979 said:

Car needs to be up on ramps and inspected, thoroughly

Could be engine mounts, could also be guibo and centre bearing etc

All needs to be checked, properly

Alright boss, it’s not speed related it’s revs related, so pulling away, doing 40, same result.
Guibo looks good, not checked the centre bearing though

[hman]

I lost a fan blade and felt the same vibrations you are describing - check the fan behind the radiator had all its blades

[d_a_n1979]

swampy442 said:

d_a_n1979 said:

Car needs to be up on ramps and inspected, thoroughly

Could be engine mounts, could also be guibo and centre bearing etc

All needs to be checked, properly

Alright boss, it’s not speed related it’s revs related, so pulling away, doing 40, same result.
Guibo looks good, not checked the centre bearing though

The guibo can look good; doesn't mean it's fine. Mine looked fine also until I removed it and it had cracks on the inside etc

Deffo check the centre bearing though

However, maybe a simple spark plug service could sort it; if one cylinder isn't firing as smoothly etc

Any codes read at all?

[swampy442]

hman said:

I lost a fan blade and felt the same vibrations you are describing - check the fan behind the radiator had all its blades

Interesting, I’ll check that out, thanks

[swampy442]

d_a_n1979 said:

swampy442 said:

d_a_n1979 said:

Car needs to be up on ramps and inspected, thoroughly

Could be engine mounts, could also be guibo and centre bearing etc

All needs to be checked, properly

Alright boss, it’s not speed related it’s revs related, so pulling away, doing 40, same result.
Guibo looks good, not checked the centre bearing though

The guibo can look good; doesn't mean it's fine. Mine looked fine also until I removed it and it had cracks on the inside etc

Deffo check the centre bearing though

However, maybe a simple spark plug service could sort it; if one cylinder isn't firing as smoothly etc

Any codes read at all?

No nothing engine related. As I said mate it’s not speed related so doubt the guibo has anything to do with it. Probably something I’ll change anyway as it’s cheap and easy to do

[bmwmike]

Guibo tends to show up when accelerating doesn't it, and the center prop bearing, as a wobble beneath the car.

If specifically engine speed related, presumably does it when revving engine with car standing still in neutral, could it be a misfire..

[d_a_n1979]

bmwmike said:

Guibo tends to show up when accelerating doesn't it, and the center prop bearing, as a wobble beneath the car.

If specifically engine speed related, presumably does it when revving engine with car standing still in neutral, could it be a misfire..

That's what I'm thinking re spark plugs etc, bad coils maybe?

[swampy442]

It’s all worth a check, thanks. Nobody thinks engine mounts which is good I suppose lol

[d_a_n1979]

swampy442 said:

It’s all worth a check, thanks. Nobody thinks engine mounts which is good I suppose lol

From past experience; they're more of a clunk and a loose-engine feel, if that makes sense.

Always worth a look over

[Touring442]

Inspect the giubo as well as the prop for missing balance weights - you'll see rusty square patch if one has dropped off. Could be a torque converter problem.

[swampy442]

Touring442 said:

Inspect the giubo as well as the prop for missing balance weights - you'll see rusty square patch if one has dropped off. Could be a torque converter problem.

Thanks but as I said its engine speed no road speed, it happens pulling away.

[d_a_n1979]

swampy442 said:

Touring442 said:

Inspect the giubo as well as the prop for missing balance weights - you'll see rusty square patch if one has dropped off. Could be a torque converter problem.

Thanks but as I said its engine speed no road speed, it happens pulling away.

How's the box overall for smoothness between gears and what's it like for holding gears when it's col/hot etc?

[Krikkit]

Superficially if it's completely independent of road speed then it won't be anything after the tail-end of the gearbox - possibly torque converter/flex plate, input shaft bearings maybe, something of that ilk?

[Touring442]

swampy442 said:

Thanks but as I said its engine speed no road speed, it happens pulling away.

Hence torque converter.

[swampy442]

d_a_n1979 said:

swampy442 said:

Touring442 said:

Inspect the giubo as well as the prop for missing balance weights - you'll see rusty square patch if one has dropped off. Could be a torque converter problem.

Thanks but as I said its engine speed no road speed, it happens pulling away.

How's the box overall for smoothness between gears and what's it like for holding gears when it's col/hot etc?

Other than the rumble the box performs faultlessly cold or hot, kicks down quickly, doesn't slip or flare, changes smoothly. Its worse between 1200-1800rpm

[SamH216]

Did you ever get to the bottom of this? I have a similar issue now with my e39.