328i E36 Engine Vibration
328i E36 Engine Vibration
Author
Discussion

changingman

Original Poster:

672 posts

214 months

Sunday 10th May 2009
quotequote all
I've got a 1996 328i manual and it has quite a pronounced engine vibration. You can feel it slightly at idle but its at its worst at about 1200rpm whether you hold it there or when it passes through either up or down. Its not misfiring as far as I can tell and it doesnt get worse the faster the engine is revving, I must say it feels like something in the engine is unbalanced so seems quite serious. Anyone had similar or got any ideas what it could be?

Edited by changingman on Sunday 10th May 16:12

T-bagger

468 posts

234 months

Sunday 10th May 2009
quotequote all
As a starting point have a look at he vibration damper at the front of the engine, this is all part of the crankshaft pully assembly that drives the various auxillary units (PAS, waterpump etc). Inspect it carefully with the engine off, for cracks or any other wear. Also run the engine and check that it runs true without any obvious wobbling.

changingman

Original Poster:

672 posts

214 months

Sunday 10th May 2009
quotequote all
T-bagger said:
As a starting point have a look at he vibration damper at the front of the engine, this is all part of the crankshaft pully assembly that drives the various auxillary units (PAS, waterpump etc). Inspect it carefully with the engine off, for cracks or any other wear. Also run the engine and check that it runs true without any obvious wobbling.
I will do that, thank you

bull996

1,442 posts

239 months

Sunday 10th May 2009
quotequote all
Nikasil?

E36Rob

753 posts

220 months

Monday 11th May 2009
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Check your Viscus fan on the front of the engine. Mine managed to sheer off a blade the other week on the way to rockingham and now idles horrid, due to being off balance.


8Tech

2,212 posts

228 months

Monday 11th May 2009
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Sound like the dual mass flywheel could be failing to me. How's the clutch and any roughness when going from drive to overrun and back to drive?

changingman

Original Poster:

672 posts

214 months

Monday 11th May 2009
quotequote all
8Tech said:
Sound like the dual mass flywheel could be failing to me. How's the clutch and any roughness when going from drive to overrun and back to drive?
Clutch is fine, not slipping, no judder, doesnt bite too low or too high. No roughness

TheEnd

15,370 posts

218 months

Monday 11th May 2009
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I'd go with the fan first off, check for broken blades, and try to wobble it too.
As the water pump bearings wear out, it can shake about alot and it'd be at about the 2.5k mark it'd be most apparent.
It'd also be wise to have a look at the engine mounts, as both a worn mount, or a wobbly pump can mean the fan will hit the radiator resulting in a lot of steam and a big bill.

David87M3

1,464 posts

264 months

Monday 11th May 2009
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bull996 said:
Nikasil?
+1