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BMW 5-Series Maintenance and Repair

2734 messages,  Last post on Mar 25, 2013 at 4:00 PM

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What is this discussion about? BMW 5 Series, Electrical, Engine, Sedan, Wagon

    
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Messages Page 201 of 275

#1992 of 2734 3rd gear of 5 sp stick moves to neutral-why? by pfagen

Sep 29, 2007 (2:52 pm)

Members, just bought a used 2001 525i, 5 speed stick, 98,000 miles, literally 3 days ago, and saw with my very eyes, sometimes, the stick shift slips from 3rd gear back to neutral - looks dangerous. I am not touching the clutch. Please advise: 1. what is happening 2. repairable? 3. estimate on cost
 
Thank you - missed this symptom while test driving the vehicle - took the car into a CCA-recommended bmw mechanic for prepurchase inspection, but no mention in his report.
 
Regards, Paul

#1993 of 2734 Re: 3rd gear of 5 sp stick moves to neutral-why? [pfagen] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Oct 01, 2007 (8:58 am)

Replying to: pfagen (Sep 29, 2007 2:52 pm)
you mean it pops out of gear while you are driving, like when you let off the gas?
 
If that's the symptom, you might have worn shifting forks or other internal. This is possible at the mileage you have.
 
 If it pops out like when you hit a bump and aren't decelerating or accelerating, maybe you have loose or broken linkage issues, which would be a whole lot better than worn internal forks. That might be fixable by accessing from above.

#1994 of 2734 Re: 3rd gear of 5 sp stick moves to neutral-why? [Mr_Shiftright] by pfagen

Oct 01, 2007 (9:43 am)

Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Oct 01, 2007 8:58 am)
Yes, pops out of gear while I am are driving, usually accelerating. Please explain more and why would this mileage contribute to the sympton?. Thank you.

#1995 of 2734 Re: 3rd gear of 5 sp stick moves to neutral-why? [pfagen] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Oct 01, 2007 (9:45 am)

Replying to: pfagen (Oct 01, 2007 9:43 am)
Well over time, with lots of shifting (maybe BAD shifting), parts wear internally, things get scrunched, bent, under-lubricated, etc. Things can loosen up, a little here a little there and before you know it...POP!
 
You might see if a shop can adjust the linkage to make sure it is fully engaging each gear....a long shot but maybe.....

#1996 of 2734 Re: 3rd gear of 5 sp stick moves to neutral-why? [Mr_Shiftright] by pfagen

Oct 01, 2007 (4:50 pm)

Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Oct 01, 2007 9:45 am)
I spoke to the bmw independent mechanic I used for years and he mentioned replacing the transmission, with a used rebuilt unit + replacing the clutch. No mention was made to "see if a shop can adjust the linkage to make sure it is fully engaging each gear", by him.
 
Please comment back. Thank you.

#1997 of 2734 Re: 3rd gear of 5 sp stick moves to neutral-why? [pfagen] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Oct 02, 2007 (8:02 am)

Replying to: pfagen (Oct 01, 2007 4:50 pm)
Well I haven't driven the car. Has he? If he hasn't, then he's no more right or wrong than I am. If he has, perhaps as an eye-witness he has determined a more likely cause than I can from so far away. If I could "feel" the jump, and the shifter, and how it acts, I could tell you more right away.

#1998 of 2734 Re: 3rd gear of 5 sp stick moves to neutral-why? [Mr_Shiftright] by pfagen

Oct 02, 2007 (9:39 am)

Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Oct 02, 2007 8:02 am)
No, he has not. I hope to take the car into his shop, for a test drive today or tomorrow. Thank you for your additional commments on what to be an eye-witness to.
 
Regards, Paul

#1999 of 2734 Re: 3rd gear of 5 sp stick moves to neutral-why? [pfagen] by drenthe

Oct 02, 2007 (9:54 am)

Replying to: pfagen (Oct 01, 2007 9:43 am)
My guess is that the dog teeth on your third gear wheel and/or sliding sleeve have worn. These teeth, as well as the sliding sleeve, have very small "hooks" at the end, that prevents the sliding sleeve from sliding back to neutral both when accelerating and decelerating. These notches may have been gone. Adjusting linkage will not do much, if this was the cause, other gears would show similar behavior. The damage can be regular wear, wear due to rough shifting or a material flaw (teeth not hardened correctly). A bad clutch results in prematurely worn synchronizer rings, if that is not the case, no need to replace the clutch. In my opinion, the answer has already been given to you; replace the tranny. Be careful when you get another used transmission, it may have similar (or worse) defects.
Jan

#2000 of 2734 Re: 3rd gear of 5 sp stick moves to neutral-why? [drenthe] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Oct 02, 2007 (10:54 pm)

Replying to: drenthe (Oct 02, 2007 9:54 am)
Certainly a plausible diagnosis. Tranny might need a "small parts rebuild". I wouldn't put in a used one unless it had impeccable credentials or perhaps unless it could be opened up (not so easy on your car).

#2001 of 2734 HVAC issue by ny540i6

Oct 18, 2007 (6:28 am)

Hey all:
 
2003 540, 132K on the clock. AC/Heater etc run intermittently. According to the display, things are running fine, I can change fan speeds etc, however no air flows out of any vent. If I have the car idling, and shut off the system, I can hear/feel the change in engine load, which indicates that mechanically things are running. If i leave it alone for a while, it will start blowing, however may or may not continue.
 
Any thoughts?
 
Thanks

Messages Page 201 of 275

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