I think my Beemer just croaked!
Discussion
I would say Engine/gearbox mounts? Sounds like the whole engine/transmission has moved forward smashing the fan against the block and radiator and allowing the propshaft to hit the body/exhaust where the gearbox has dropped. Another symptom is it would be hard to select some gears (assuming manual) but this may or may not happen. Don't start it again! Get it looked at.
Edited by Mroad on Sunday 11th November 09:31
cardigankid said:
Under the bonnet, it looked as if the radiator fan had moved backwards and was hitting the engine block as it turned. That however was not enough on its own to account for the extraordinary noises.
Hard to say without seeing it, but I would suggest ( as already said ) engine mounts and/or the viscous coupling for the fan has collapsed The fact that the gears have been getting harder to select also suggests the mounts have worn. With worn mounts the engine and transmission move, when it moves the gear linkage or gearstick also moves and won't allow the full range of movement. Usually it first appears on the extreme edges of the movement so 1st, 2nd or reverse or 4th and 5th becomes hardest to select but this will vary from car to car (talking generally here, not just BMW's).
Another symptom would have been clunking when accelerating or braking hard or on gearchange as the engine and transmission moves under load or changes in load.
It sounds like the mounts have gradually worn (hard to select gears) and when one gets worn the others have to take up the extra stress and they will wear out quicker. I guess they have finally given up.
You might be lucky and only need new mounts, new radiator and fan. I'm not sure of the propshaft set-up on the E46 but that will need checking and the exhaust.
Anyway bit difficult to diagnose exactly from a distance but that's my best guess. Let us know how you get on.
Another symptom would have been clunking when accelerating or braking hard or on gearchange as the engine and transmission moves under load or changes in load.
It sounds like the mounts have gradually worn (hard to select gears) and when one gets worn the others have to take up the extra stress and they will wear out quicker. I guess they have finally given up.
You might be lucky and only need new mounts, new radiator and fan. I'm not sure of the propshaft set-up on the E46 but that will need checking and the exhaust.
Anyway bit difficult to diagnose exactly from a distance but that's my best guess. Let us know how you get on.
sounds more simple to me - viscus fan - water punmp - bearings. all you probably need is a new water pump. about £50
it happened to my seven, and clonked around for a while before acually failing - then, as you say - plenty of steam, and fluid - obviously. - job takes about 45 mins for us that don't want BMW monkeys doing the job.
hope this is of some help
Alfie
it happened to my seven, and clonked around for a while before acually failing - then, as you say - plenty of steam, and fluid - obviously. - job takes about 45 mins for us that don't want BMW monkeys doing the job.
hope this is of some help
Alfie
Alfie740 said:
sounds more simple to me - viscus fan - water punmp - bearings. all you probably need is a new water pump. about £50
it happened to my seven, and clonked around for a while before acually failing - then, as you say - plenty of steam, and fluid - obviously. - job takes about 45 mins for us that don't want BMW monkeys doing the job.
hope this is of some help
Alfie
Seconded; check the pump/viscous coupler. Grab the fan; can you move it other than rotating it? Does it rotate smoothly? From memory the shifting mech is attached to the gearbox so even broken/worn mounts won't affect the shifting.it happened to my seven, and clonked around for a while before acually failing - then, as you say - plenty of steam, and fluid - obviously. - job takes about 45 mins for us that don't want BMW monkeys doing the job.
hope this is of some help
Alfie
Is the gearstick in the right position? If so, then the gearbox hasn't moved. And if the gearbox hasn't, then the engine hasn't.
I had a problem with my old E12 when the coupling seized solid, making the fan spin at engine speed, which was way too quick and pulled the blades into the radiator.
When cold the fan coupling should be reasonably free to spin, with very little axial movement. Mine was rock solid.
I had a problem with my old E12 when the coupling seized solid, making the fan spin at engine speed, which was way too quick and pulled the blades into the radiator.
When cold the fan coupling should be reasonably free to spin, with very little axial movement. Mine was rock solid.
- Edit*
Edited by carlosvalderrama on Monday 12th November 11:24
£85 is a damned good price for that job.
The water pump just failed in my E46 320 and as it was still under warranty it was recovered to the dealer for repair.
The total price for the job was £270 - and so much for the 3 month warranty, I still had to pay £40 for the antifreeze and drive belt because they are classed as consumables according to the warranty company. How the bloody hell you're supposed to replace a water pump without replacing the antifreeze is beyond me, so I think they have a nerve calling it a consumable in this case.
The water pump just failed in my E46 320 and as it was still under warranty it was recovered to the dealer for repair.
The total price for the job was £270 - and so much for the 3 month warranty, I still had to pay £40 for the antifreeze and drive belt because they are classed as consumables according to the warranty company. How the bloody hell you're supposed to replace a water pump without replacing the antifreeze is beyond me, so I think they have a nerve calling it a consumable in this case.
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