Ask the Car People.SM


BMW M3 Maintenance and Repair

249 messages,  Last post on Oct 25, 2011 at 7:52 PM

You are in the BMW M/M3/M6 Forum.

What is this discussion about? BMW M3, Coupe, Convertible

Messages Page 24 of 26

#223 of 249 Re: e46 m3 maintenance [gmonkies] by sal4ever

May 08, 2009 (12:15 pm)

Replying to: gmonkies (Mar 09, 2009 12:06 pm)
Hi,
I have the same problem on my m3 2003. Would you please tell me what is the part that you have changed ( dealer's part#? or the rubber O-ring). I have seen the slotted screw or plug on the side of the engine block (passenger side) where the oil leaking from. I called the BMW dealer in my area and they cannot see any part in this location!!!. Thanks for your time.

#224 of 249 Re: e46 m3 maintenance [sal4ever] by gmonkies

May 09, 2009 (12:04 am)

Replying to: sal4ever (May 08, 2009 12:15 pm)
That is the oil pressure regulator on the passenger side of the block. It requires a flat short head to remove. It's kinda tight so you will need a flex wrench with a flat head socket. Becarefull not to strip the grove on the regulator. If you can't get it off then you will have no choice but to take the exhaust manifold off for more room.
 
In any case, my friend just gave me another rubber O-ring from his O-ring box, no BMW parts required unless you want to pay the dealer extra $ for the same O-ring that you can get from the parts store. Feel free to let me know if you need anymore help.

#225 of 249 Changing spark plug for my M3 by gmonkies

Jun 10, 2009 (6:09 pm)

I was driving on Cruise Control and suddenly the motor choked for a sec. 15 minutes later, check engine light came on and when I got off the highway, the motor was running rough like a miss fire. Shut the car off and the check engine went away but still runs rougher than normal and lost of power.
 
It has 84K on it right now, not sure if the spark plug was changed before I bought it. Hopefully it just needs a new plug.
  
In any case, the bentley manual does not show the m3 set up for changing spark plug. It does not have a bolt that holds down the individual ignition coil like the other 3 series.
After I separate the ignition wire harness wire from the ignition coil, does the coil just pull up/out? The coil is pretty tight in there, not sure if there's anything else I need to do or just man handle it. Hopefully once I fix replace the plugs, it will stop miss firing and running rough
 
If it was my honda, I'll just yank it out but always more fearful when it comes to working on the bimmer.
 
Please Advice!!!

#226 of 249 2008 M3-Rear Grinding Metal Noise by jjohnjohn

Oct 31, 2009 (8:24 pm)

Issue:
 
Every morning steering right to back out or steering sharp right moving forward, there is a grinding metal noise coming from the rear. An example of the noise would be as if one was to move a very heavy couch with four wooden legs a very short distance over concrete floors. Weird example but that is the first thing that pops in my mind. Or another example would be as if the wheel was about to fall off the axle and the titled wheel is grinding against the axle.
 
It only happens with SHARP right turns. But once the car is warmed up, the noise does not happen again.
 
Any ideas why the noise? solutions?
 
I thought it was a lack of oil for the slip differential, but the dealer changed it out and still makes the noise, only in the morning.
 
Thanks for any feedback
 
-john

#227 of 249 Re: 2008 M3-Rear Grinding Metal Noise [jjohnjohn] by fedlawman

Nov 01, 2009 (8:00 am)

Replying to: jjohnjohn (Oct 31, 2009 8:24 pm)
I would say it is the gear oil - but not a lack of oil. In the morning, the oil has settled to the bottom of the case and it's cold/thick. Once it's stirred up into the gears and warm, your noise goes away.
 
I wouldn't expect the noise to be that severe sounding though....

#228 of 249 Re: 2008 M3-Rear Grinding Metal Noise [jjohnjohn] by roadburner

Nov 05, 2009 (10:24 pm)

Replying to: jjohnjohn (Oct 31, 2009 8:24 pm)
LSDs are sometimes noisy when cold; it's the nature of the beast.

#229 of 249 E46 m3 differential noise by gmonkies

Dec 21, 2009 (4:15 pm)

A friend told me the whinning noise coming from the back when I'm cruising at ~ 80 MPH on the cruise control is my rear diff and it shouldn't do that. The sound is normally not there when I drive on the street or when I punch it.
 
He suggested I change the fluid and see if the noise goes away, otherwise, I might have a lose pinion. Anyone else has or had this problem. I always thought that it was a normal common sound.
 
My M3 now is 01 Manual with 88K. Any thoughts?

#230 of 249 Re: E46 m3 differential noise [gmonkies] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Dec 21, 2009 (4:55 pm)

Replying to: gmonkies (Dec 21, 2009 4:15 pm)
If it were a loose pinion you'd be on the side of the road calling for a tow truck. But, if it were worn teeth on the ring and pinion interface, you could test that by letting off the gas---the noise should dissipate considerably on let-off. If the noise remains the same whether you let off or press on the gas, I'd suspect the tires. Look for "feathering"---that typically causes a high pitch whine.

#231 of 249 Re: E46 m3 differential noise [Mr_Shiftright] by gmonkies

Dec 23, 2009 (12:39 am)

Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Dec 21, 2009 4:55 pm)
From what I remembered, the noise does go away if I let off on the gas as the mph goes down. If it is worn teeth, is it something that will need immediate attention or can I still drive it reliably for miles to come as long as I don't track it? Will putting new gear oil make any difference to help maintain it a little longer?
 
I will double check the noise the next time I drive it on the highway since is my occasional weekend car.
 
Thanks
 
Have a happy holiday to you and everyone on this site.

#232 of 249 Re: E46 m3 differential noise [gmonkies] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Dec 23, 2009 (9:46 am)

Replying to: gmonkies (Dec 23, 2009 12:39 am)
If it's only rough gear-surfaces, that can last forever. And yes, putting in new gear oil, or perhaps a synthetic that is compatible with BMW specs, would help. A gear oil change would also allow you to inspect the fluid for excessive amounts of mettalic debris. That would be a bad sign.
 
VISITING HOST

Messages Page 24 of 26

To POST a message, please Sign In.

Advertisement

Most Popular in Forums

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement