The BMW UUC Digest Volume 3 : Issue 151 : "text" Format Messages in this Issue: E30 M20 Smog Test Question Re: Twitchy 540 <E36> M3 weird noise Re: <E36> M3 weird noise Re: <E36> M3 weird noise Re: <E36> M3 weird noise Re: <E36> M3 weird noise Carfax FS: Older Racing Tires
---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Mon, 22 May 2006 11:35:02 -0700 From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [email protected] Subject: E30 M20 Smog Test Question Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Last Friday I took my '90 325i for a smog test. Swapped out the Conforti chip for the stock one, and then went for a long hard drive to heat up the cat. This was at a test-only station, which the state of Kahleefornya requires at random intervals, or some such. At least they offer a free re-test. So as I'm out heating up the cat, I remember that I still have not installed the new thermostat, so the coolant is not getting quite up to normal operating temperature. I was hoping this would not cause it to fail. The result was that it passed, but the HC levels on the 15 MPH test were within 2 (PPM?) of the allowable limit. This got me to wonderinig, would a higher coolant temp have resulted in a lower HC level? My grand plan for this car is to use it as my daily driver for 2+ more years and then turn it into a dedicated track/auto-X car that gets trailered to events. I can't see spending the money for a new cat (which I was told was probably marginal when I bought the car 10 years ago) to pass one more smog test in 2008 before it becomes a race car. If it were to fail 2 years from now, that would probably be the point at which I would take it off the road. TIA, Scott Miller GGC BMW CCA ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 22 May 2006 14:45:58 -0400 From: "Gary Derian" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "David A. Leonard" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Cc: <[email protected]> Subject: Re: Twitchy 540 Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Worn tires can cause this. Some tires do it and some do not. A new set of 18 inch will probably fix it, at least for a while. In the meantime, add some toe in up to the max tolerance. Try rotating the tires, that may also help, or make it worse. Gary Derian Gruppe: My buddy just got a 30k mile '03 540i. He was complaining that the tires were following grooves in the road. I drove it and it flet more like a tramlining unrelated to road surface. Basically it wants to head in whatever direction you tun the wheels, and pull that way, even on subtle tiny wheel corrections. It pulls equally to both sides. It makes for a very tiring driving experience, as it likes to head off on its own. I sent him off to have the alignment checke4d, the tech said it was a little out of spec, and reset it to spec. It is a little better but still grabby. I believe he has 50 series 18" stock wheels/tires, but I'm not sure. It seems to me like dialing in a small amount of toe in ( like 1/8-1/4 turn) on a steering tie rod would be a good place to start the experimenting. Can anyone shed any light on this? He is convinced it is the sporty, low profile tires that are causing this, and is talking about going to some 60's an smaller wheels, my thought is that it is a front end issue. Thanks, Dave Leonard ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 22 May 2006 11:49:41 -0700 (PDT) From: Brian Ruiz <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: UUC Digest <[email protected]> Subject: <E36> M3 weird noise Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Gary and list, I drove a bit again last night to see if I could characterize the noise a bit more. It seems to be more engine speed related, and only seems to occur under load, as it disappears as soon as I put in the clutch or coast in neutral. When the clutch was replaced last summer, I had both the center support bearing and the flex disc replaced at the same time. I guess it's possible they're prematurely failing (as I've heard of that happening, especially with the higher torque of the M), but I figure it's a bit less likely. I forgot to mention that I had also replaced the front wheel bearings no more than 3k miles ago. About the only non-engine related things I can give much creedence to failing is the passenger axle/CV joint, or one of the rear wheel bearings. Other than that, I think I'm stuck with an engine problem... :'( With the wallet not so thick these days, the car might have to sit for a few months while I get together the funds for an engine rebuild. Could a bad belt pulley cause such a tangible vibration? Perhaps an engine mount...I guess I need some time to do some inspecting. Thanks again, Brian 95 M3 --- Gary Derian <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Drive in a zig-zag fashion. A wheel bearing will > grumble louder when > loaded. Another suspect is the driveshaft, either > the flex joint or the > center bearing. > Gary Derian __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 22 May 2006 15:22:32 -0400 From: "Gary Derian" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "Brian Ruiz" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, "UUC Digest" <[email protected]> Subject: Re: <E36> M3 weird noise Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Don't be so quick to rebuild the engine. A growl only under load and proportional to engine speed? Is it worse or easier to create in the lower gears? Maybe the engine is leaning over and hitting something. Gary Derian > Gary and list, > > I drove a bit again last night to see if I could > characterize the noise a bit more. It seems to be > more engine speed related, and only seems to occur > under load, as it disappears as soon as I put in the > clutch or coast in neutral. When the clutch was > replaced last summer, I had both the center support > bearing and the flex disc replaced at the same time. > I guess it's possible they're prematurely failing (as > I've heard of that happening, especially with the > higher torque of the M), but I figure it's a bit less > likely. I forgot to mention that I had also replaced > the front wheel bearings no more than 3k miles ago. > About the only non-engine related things I can give > much creedence to failing is the passenger axle/CV > joint, or one of the rear wheel bearings. Other than > that, I think I'm stuck with an engine problem... :'( > With the wallet not so thick these days, the car might > have to sit for a few months while I get together the > funds for an engine rebuild. > > Could a bad belt pulley cause such a tangible > vibration? Perhaps an engine mount...I guess I need > some time to do some inspecting. > > Thanks again, > Brian > 95 M3 > > > --- Gary Derian <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > >> Drive in a zig-zag fashion. A wheel bearing will >> grumble louder when >> loaded. Another suspect is the driveshaft, either >> the flex joint or the >> center bearing. >> Gary Derian > > __________________________________________________ > Do You Yahoo!? > Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around > http://mail.yahoo.com > Search the ARCHIVES:http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected] > > > __________________________________________________________________________ > In memory of Michel Potheau - friend, enthusiast, founder of the BMW CCA. > > UUC Motorwerks - BMW Performance Fine-tuning and home of the Ultimate > Short Shifter - accept no substitutes! > 908-874-9092 . http://www.uucmotorwerks.com ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 22 May 2006 11:59:33 -0700 From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [email protected] Subject: Re: <E36> M3 weird noise Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Brian, Any chance that when you did the suspension tweeks, you were rushed and forgot to tighten one of the the wheels or bolts? -Kevin ---------------------------------------------------------------- This e-mail communication is confidential and is intended only for the individual(s) or entity named above and others who have been specifically authorized to receive it. If you are not the intended recipient, please do not read, copy, use or disclose the contents of this communication to others. Please notify the sender that you have received this e-mail in error by replying to the e-mail. Please then delete the e-mail and any copies of it. Thank you. ---------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 22 May 2006 16:28:14 EDT From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED], [EMAIL PROTECTED], [email protected] Subject: Re: <E36> M3 weird noise Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Hello, Try to get the car to make the noise on a deserted road. Then turn the ignition off, but keep it in the 1st position so that the steering wheel does not lock. With the car making the noise, and then switch off the ignition key, does the noise still occur? IF yes, then you are looking at the drivetrain. Try the same thing again but this time push in the clutch. Does the noise go away? Then its in the trans. I kind of feel your noise is diff related. You might try changing the fluid. Also you could add one of those monkey-slime additives to quite the diff. ie MoS2 from your favorite oil company. LiquiMolly(German) makes some, so do most big oil companies. good luck David In a message dated 22.05.2006 21:51:17 Westeuropäische Sommerzeit, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: Don't be so quick to rebuild the engine. A growl only under load and proportional to engine speed? Is it worse or easier to create in the lower gears? Maybe the engine is leaning over and hitting something. Gary Derian > Gary and list, > > I drove a bit again last night to see if I could > characterize the noise a bit more. It seems to be > more engine speed related, and only seems to occur > under load, as it disappears as soon as I put in the > clutch or coast in neutral. When the clutch was > replaced last summer, I had both the center support > bearing and the flex disc replaced at the same time. > I guess it's possible they're prematurely failing (as > I've heard of that happening, especially with the > higher torque of the M), but I figure it's a bit less > likely. I forgot to mention that I had also replaced > the front wheel bearings no more than 3k miles ago. > About the only non-engine related things I can give > much creedence to failing is the passenger axle/CV > joint, or one of the rear wheel bearings. Other than > that, I think I'm stuck with an engine problem... :'( > With the wallet not so thick these days, the car might > have to sit for a few months while I get together the > funds for an engine rebuild. > > Could a bad belt pulley cause such a tangible > vibration? Perhaps an engine mount...I guess I need > some time to do some inspecting. > > Thanks again, > Brian > 95 M3 > > > --- Gary Derian <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > >> Drive in a zig-zag fashion. A wheel bearing will >> grumble louder when >> loaded. Another suspect is the driveshaft, either >> the flex joint or the >> center bearing. >> Gary Derian ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 22 May 2006 13:50:17 -0700 From: "Marco Romani" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[email protected]> Subject: Re: <E36> M3 weird noise Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Just remember if you do the suggested test 1) you have no power steering 2) you have a few applications of the brakes until your brake boost is gone. Not really dangerous but disconcerting if you're not expecting it. Marco -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Monday, May 22, 2006 1:28 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]; [EMAIL PROTECTED]; [email protected] Subject: Re: [UUC] <E36> M3 weird noise Hello, Try to get the car to make the noise on a deserted road. Then turn the ignition off, but keep it in the 1st position so that the steering wheel does not lock. With the car making the noise, and then switch off the ignition key, does the noise still occur? IF yes, then you are looking at the drivetrain. Try the same thing again but this time push in the clutch. Does the noise go away? Then its in the trans. I kind of feel your noise is diff related. You might try changing the fluid. Also you could add one of those monkey-slime additives to quite the diff. ie MoS2 from your favorite oil company. LiquiMolly(German) makes some, so do most big oil companies. good luck David In a message dated 22.05.2006 21:51:17 Westeuropäische Sommerzeit, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: Don't be so quick to rebuild the engine. A growl only under load and proportional to engine speed? Is it worse or easier to create in the lower gears? Maybe the engine is leaning over and hitting something. Gary Derian > Gary and list, > > I drove a bit again last night to see if I could > characterize the noise a bit more. It seems to be > more engine speed related, and only seems to occur > under load, as it disappears as soon as I put in the > clutch or coast in neutral. When the clutch was > replaced last summer, I had both the center support > bearing and the flex disc replaced at the same time. > I guess it's possible they're prematurely failing (as > I've heard of that happening, especially with the > higher torque of the M), but I figure it's a bit less > likely. I forgot to mention that I had also replaced > the front wheel bearings no more than 3k miles ago. > About the only non-engine related things I can give > much creedence to failing is the passenger axle/CV > joint, or one of the rear wheel bearings. Other than > that, I think I'm stuck with an engine problem... :'( > With the wallet not so thick these days, the car might > have to sit for a few months while I get together the > funds for an engine rebuild. > > Could a bad belt pulley cause such a tangible > vibration? Perhaps an engine mount...I guess I need > some time to do some inspecting. > > Thanks again, > Brian > 95 M3 > > > --- Gary Derian <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > >> Drive in a zig-zag fashion. A wheel bearing will >> grumble louder when >> loaded. Another suspect is the driveshaft, either >> the flex joint or the >> center bearing. >> Gary Derian Search the ARCHIVES:http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected] __________________________________________________________________________ In memory of Michel Potheau - friend, enthusiast, founder of the BMW CCA. UUC Motorwerks - BMW Performance Fine-tuning and home of the Ultimate Short Shifter - accept no substitutes! 908-874-9092 . http://www.uucmotorwerks.com ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 22 May 2006 20:47:59 -0400 From: "M540" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[email protected]> Subject: Carfax Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> If anyone has a current Carfax account and wouldn't mind running this VIN for me I'd really appreciate it. It's time to get a newer car. wbaev53443km04024 Thank you very much! Kevin ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 23 May 2006 14:14:36 -0400 From: "Stan Jackson Jr." <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[email protected]> Subject: FS: Older Racing Tires Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> More tires for sale. Gotta clear out the Hall. A pair of 225/45-17 BFG G-Force race tires. New "old stock", never used. A pair of 245/45-17 BFG G-Force race tires -- heat cycled by Tire Rack, used for one autocross, look essentially unused. Keep in mind these are not fresh tires. $100 for either pair or BO. Still trying to move the autocross tires and the helmet. The terms: Shipping is additional. I accept payment from your checking account through PayPal; or you can mail me a bank check, money order, or personal check. I don't ship until payment clears. I *might* be able to accept a credit card through PayPal -- depends on how long it takes to set up a new account. You pay the credit card fee (3%?). No reasonable offers refused. Stan Jackson Jr. NH ------------------------------ End of [bmwuucdigest] digest(9 messages) **********
