E90 - 320i - Auto

nik_uk · 11-21-2011, 10:12 AM

Hi Forum - I am scratching my hair out trying to locate a noise. I am hoping that someone has had a similar experience or pointers they can share.

Here goes.....When the car is Cold and i start her up she sounds fine. BUT as soon I engage her in 'R' or 'D' (AUTO) I start hearing a real loud GRUMBLE. - this goes away as soon as I drive away, and disappears when warm!

I have had it plugged into DIS and NO Fault Codes (initially i thought it was Transmission) but then again it still could be ( I suspected the Torque Converter). - however if it was the TC, then apparently i would hear a squealing sound when revved - (There is no such noise) - maybe wrong

As winter is setting here in the UK - i want to get this resolved

any thoughts...friends???

nik_uk · 11-25-2011, 06:03 AM

I am surprised that this is fro all things E90, and that 38 people have viewed it - BUT no one has a suggestion!

Appreciate it may be something that no-one has come across - but some guidance would have been great - after all this is a forum - Or I may have missed the objective!

moar · 11-25-2011, 06:12 AM

Have you had a poke around underneath the car?

Where does the grumble come from? Front or rear?

Mileage on the car?

nik_uk · 11-25-2011, 06:25 AM

Yup - It is coming from the Front - BUT this statement may sound weird - It seems to be coming from ALL Over, by that I mean it could be resonating - the car has 58K and is an Auto.

Note it clears when revving/accelerating and when warm and only happens when in D or R for the first 5 mins

Initially thought it was alternator when charging and it still could be - but I am not that 'technically' minded.

moar · 11-25-2011, 06:51 AM

Have got a friend handy? get them to make the noise while you stand outside tbh.

HighlandPete · 11-25-2011, 07:01 AM

The sort of vibration you appear to be desribing does sound like its being generated from an 'unbalanced' rotating source. Gearbox initiated, R or D, would indicate that the 'box/TC is involved.

Wonder if you are getting partial drain out from the TC, used to be quite common on some 5-speed autos *.

Do you have a slight delay when you go to pull off? Different from a normal warm start, where it should instantly give positive drive.

A check to see if it is alternator induced, (once the revs change as you engage R or D), just load the alternator with lights and rear screen, to see if that changes the sound track, while still in park.

* I've had my 330d give a vibration from my gearbox/TC, on several occasions, after not using the car a couple of days. Occurs when D is engaged, slow to pick up drive, by normal standards, but it disappears in a second or so. I've suspected that is a bit of TC drain back.

HighlandPete

daviep.sco · 11-28-2011, 02:29 PM

Hi
This is strange, my Dad's E91 320i has the exact same issue that just started a couple of weeks ago.
It sounds to me like some sort of pump issue but as you say it seems to disappear when it gets hot. I did loads of searching around on the net but everyone says the Auto fluid is sealed but his has a resiviour with a dipstick in it (bit no high and low marks). I would also be really interested if anyone else has these issues.

daviep.sco · 12-01-2011, 03:01 AM

My dad had his in at the dealers yesterday.

They heard the noise when they started it up yesterday but coudn't come to any conclusion what it was. After that they did some diagnostic tests on it and said that the alternator was not performing 100% so it could just be that under strain that was causing the problem. However they didn't think that the alternator was ready to be replaced so suppose we just need to put up with the noise untill it goes.

chinese · 01-13-2012, 07:59 PM

Having the exact same problem here for a couple of months now... changed the belt tensioner but still doing it. Any updates on this?

daviep.sco · 04-08-2012, 05:05 PM

Hi guys

Well we finally we managed to get to the bottom of the issue, the noise seems to be coming from the pully that is actually attached to the alternator itself. If anyone has the same issue (from cold, engage drive etc and get a groaning noise) get yourself a new pully that sits on the front of the alternator, it has a reverse slip clutch on it and seems to get worn out.

Cheers

erko · 12-03-2012, 06:50 AM

My car is experiencing the same symptoms - I spoke to BMW, and they said that I would have to leave the car overnight for them to figure out the problem. I'd rather just swap out the pulley and hopefully would rectify the issue. - would you happen to have the part number of the pulley?

Any help is much appreciated.

tostos · 08-28-2013, 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by daviep.sco

Hi guys

Well we finally we managed to get to the bottom of the issue, the noise seems to be coming from the pully that is actually attached to the alternator itself. If anyone has the same issue (from cold, engage drive etc and get a groaning noise) get yourself a new pully that sits on the front of the alternator, it has a reverse slip clutch on it and seems to get worn out.

Cheers

Hi Thanks for the information.

I have the same car 320I N46 with automatic transmission and 103,000 Km on the clock. I solved this problem by changing the alternator pully.

The OEM manufacturer is INA and the OE number is "12317560483".

I have the 150A alternator and my car has A/C.

Gazza0210 · 08-29-2013, 12:16 PM

I had exactly the same problem on my previous car (c180 kompressor).

Apparently it's a common thing on most cars with an alternator which has a clutch on the pulley. Not a hard fix.

I have a 320i E90 so I expect to be doing this soon lol.

abrahama · 05-06-2014, 07:15 PM

i had the same issue. It was the Timing chain tensioner!

Andy90 · 08-07-2014, 06:41 AM

Check the airbox. Could be the rubber support missing under that and it vibrates as it contacts the metal body.

CreativeS · 01-20-2019, 07:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by daviep.sco

Well we finally we managed to get to the bottom of the issue, the noise seems to be coming from the pully that is actually attached to the alternator itself. If anyone has the same issue (from cold, engage drive etc and get a groaning noise) get yourself a new pully that sits on the front of the alternator, it has a reverse slip clutch on it and seems to get worn out.

I especially registered for replying to this post.

Thank you very, very, very much for pointing this out!

We imported a E46/5 318tiA M (N42B20) from Germany last summer and after a bad start (valve seals rings, eccentric shaft and crankcase-ventilation/oil separator), we started to enjoy the car for about 3000 miles. Then the irritating grumbl started. It took me weeks to find a possible cause! We brought the car to a BMW specialist and at the end of the day he called us and confirmed me I found the right answer

Again, thank you very much!

Quote:

Originally Posted by tostos

I have the same car 320I N46 with automatic transmission and 103,000 Km on the clock. I solved this problem by changing the alternator pully.

The OEM manufacturer is INA and the OE number is "12317560483".

And thank you for the articlenumber!

11-21-2011, 10:12 AM	#1
nik_uk New Member 3 Rep 6 Posts Drives: E90 320i Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	E90 - 320i - Auto - Noise Hi Forum - I am scratching my hair out trying to locate a noise. I am hoping that someone has had a similar experience or pointers they can share. Here goes.....When the car is Cold and i start her up she sounds fine. BUT as soon I engage her in 'R' or 'D' (AUTO) I start hearing a real loud GRUMBLE. - this goes away as soon as I drive away, and disappears when warm! I have had it plugged into DIS and NO Fault Codes (initially i thought it was Transmission) but then again it still could be ( I suspected the Torque Converter). - however if it was the TC, then apparently i would hear a squealing sound when revved - (There is no such noise) - maybe wrong As winter is setting here in the UK - i want to get this resolved any thoughts...friends???
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

11-25-2011, 06:03 AM	#2
nik_uk New Member 3 Rep 6 Posts Drives: E90 320i Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	I am surprised that this is fro all things E90, and that 38 people have viewed it - BUT no one has a suggestion! Appreciate it may be something that no-one has come across - but some guidance would have been great - after all this is a forum - Or I may have missed the objective!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-25-2011, 06:12 AM	#3
moar First Lieutenant 14 Rep 391 Posts Drives: 330i Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: sheffield uk iTrader: (0)	Have you had a poke around underneath the car? Where does the grumble come from? Front or rear? Mileage on the car? __________________ 2007 330i M Sport Saloon Le Mans Blue Active steering - Comfort Access - Bluetooth -TV - Heated Electric Memory Leather Seats - Auto - Logic 7 - Pro Nav - Adaptive Xenon Headlights BMW Assist - iPod integration - Swirl free .
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11-25-2011, 06:25 AM	#4
nik_uk New Member 3 Rep 6 Posts Drives: E90 320i Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	Yup - It is coming from the Front - BUT this statement may sound weird - It seems to be coming from ALL Over, by that I mean it could be resonating - the car has 58K and is an Auto. Note it clears when revving/accelerating and when warm and only happens when in D or R for the first 5 mins Initially thought it was alternator when charging and it still could be - but I am not that 'technically' minded.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-25-2011, 06:51 AM	#5
moar First Lieutenant 14 Rep 391 Posts Drives: 330i Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: sheffield uk iTrader: (0)	Have got a friend handy? get them to make the noise while you stand outside tbh. __________________ 2007 330i M Sport Saloon Le Mans Blue Active steering - Comfort Access - Bluetooth -TV - Heated Electric Memory Leather Seats - Auto - Logic 7 - Pro Nav - Adaptive Xenon Headlights BMW Assist - iPod integration - Swirl free .
	Appreciate 0 Quote

11-25-2011, 07:01 AM	#6
HighlandPete Lieutenant General 6659 Rep 15,858 Posts Drives: BMW F11 535i Touring Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Scotland, Highland Region iTrader: (0)	The sort of vibration you appear to be desribing does sound like its being generated from an 'unbalanced' rotating source. Gearbox initiated, R or D, would indicate that the 'box/TC is involved. Wonder if you are getting partial drain out from the TC, used to be quite common on some 5-speed autos . Do you have a slight delay when you go to pull off? Different from a normal warm start, where it should instantly give positive drive. A check to see if it is alternator induced, (once the revs change as you engage R or D), just load the alternator with lights and rear screen, to see if that changes the sound track, while still in park. I've had my 330d give a vibration from my gearbox/TC, on several occasions, after not using the car a couple of days. Occurs when D is engaged, slow to pick up drive, by normal standards, but it disappears in a second or so. I've suspected that is a bit of TC drain back. HighlandPete
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11-28-2011, 02:29 PM	#7
daviep.sco Private First Class 16 Rep 101 Posts Drives: 2012 X3 2.0d SE Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Glasgow iTrader: (1)	Hi This is strange, my Dad's E91 320i has the exact same issue that just started a couple of weeks ago. It sounds to me like some sort of pump issue but as you say it seems to disappear when it gets hot. I did loads of searching around on the net but everyone says the Auto fluid is sealed but his has a resiviour with a dipstick in it (bit no high and low marks). I would also be really interested if anyone else has these issues.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-01-2011, 03:01 AM	#8
daviep.sco Private First Class 16 Rep 101 Posts Drives: 2012 X3 2.0d SE Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Glasgow iTrader: (1)	My dad had his in at the dealers yesterday. They heard the noise when they started it up yesterday but coudn't come to any conclusion what it was. After that they did some diagnostic tests on it and said that the alternator was not performing 100% so it could just be that under strain that was causing the problem. However they didn't think that the alternator was ready to be replaced so suppose we just need to put up with the noise untill it goes.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-13-2012, 07:59 PM	#9
chinese Registered 0 Rep 1 Posts Drives: e90 320i Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: china iTrader: (0)	Having the exact same problem here for a couple of months now... changed the belt tensioner but still doing it. Any updates on this?
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04-08-2012, 05:05 PM	#10
daviep.sco Private First Class 16 Rep 101 Posts Drives: 2012 X3 2.0d SE Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Glasgow iTrader: (1)	Hi guys Well we finally we managed to get to the bottom of the issue, the noise seems to be coming from the pully that is actually attached to the alternator itself. If anyone has the same issue (from cold, engage drive etc and get a groaning noise) get yourself a new pully that sits on the front of the alternator, it has a reverse slip clutch on it and seems to get worn out. Cheers
	Appreciate 1 BimmerNugget542.50 Quote

12-03-2012, 06:50 AM	#11
erko New Member 0 Rep 11 Posts Drives: 320i M Sport Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Melbourne, Australia iTrader: (0) Garage List 2005 320i [0.00]	My car is experiencing the same symptoms - I spoke to BMW, and they said that I would have to leave the car overnight for them to figure out the problem. I'd rather just swap out the pulley and hopefully would rectify the issue. - would you happen to have the part number of the pulley? Any help is much appreciated.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-29-2013, 12:16 PM	#13
Gazza0210 Private First Class 6 Rep 154 Posts Drives: Bmw 320i Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: London, England iTrader: (2)	I had exactly the same problem on my previous car (c180 kompressor). Apparently it's a common thing on most cars with an alternator which has a clutch on the pulley. Not a hard fix. I have a 320i E90 so I expect to be doing this soon lol.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-06-2014, 07:15 PM	#14
abrahama New Member 0 Rep 8 Posts Drives: BMW 320i Sport Plus Edition Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: United Kingdom iTrader: (0)	i had the same issue. It was the Timing chain tensioner!
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08-07-2014, 06:41 AM	#15
Andy90 Andy90 0 Rep 12 Posts Drives: BMW 318i Msport Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Perthshire iTrader: (0)	Check the airbox. Could be the rubber support missing under that and it vibrates as it contacts the metal body.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

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