1998 316i noisy drivetrain - BMW Forum

simarkath · 08-21-2008, 10:27 AM

Hello

Hoping someone can help with this. I have a high milage 316i. It has been serviced in line with the indicator and the engine still runs absolutely peachy, in fact it is the quietest 316 i've heard.

However it has been stood a while and now it makes a grinding noise on acceleration, but only in second, third and forth gear. It isn't engine related and I suspected the gearbox, but my local dealer seems to think that if it was the box, the grinding would be there all the time and not just when accelerating.

Could it be a sticking clutch plate, or is it something to do with the drive shaft, although again would this not make a noise all the time.

The car is silent in 1st and 5th gear!

Any help appreciated, I usually do my own repairs, but not sure where to start with this!

darkhorse737 · 08-21-2008, 03:17 PM

before u suspect gearbox... maybe check propeller shaft & u-joints.

if u hvnt changed tranny oil and diff gear oil in awhile, now's the time to do it... if there is grinding in the gearbox, there'll be bits of metal in the oil for sure ;-)

simarkath · 08-22-2008, 04:13 AM

Hi, yes thanks, I am going to start at one end of the drivetrain and work through. I have been told that the centre hub bearing could also be a canidate!