E36 95' 318i conv knocking & whinning noise

[squeeky2]

Hi all, I a newb, and I need help on diagnosis...I hear car knocking.. after starter was changed, the knocking got louder..more when cold started then gets mild knocking while driving. Im also hearing a whinning noise as I accelerate to shange gears
1. motor mounts have collapsed...I was told not to change them because I have a blown head gasket, causing the knocking. Well I had another BMW Indep. read message which stated that knock sensors were bad....I purchased the sensors,,but then he said I could be getting a miss read signal if something else is causing the knocking. So I am so confused...sometime I hear a clanging when down shift to 2nd or first....I read somewhere that maybe bolts are just loose holding the gearbox which could cause engine knock... Most important...if you take your hand and gently press down on the top of the engine, the knock gets louder...So Could it be the collapsed motor mounts after all? or something else
Please any advice will help..i have 180K on car .I can not afford a dealer and seems like everyone is guessing.

[squeeky2]

Oh well, since I could not get any feedback from anyone, we fixed the knocking today... It was not the knock sensors.IT was the motor mounts...worn down to the metal..quite a site..luckily I did no damage to the oil pan.

So just for info...be careful of the misleading diagnostic readings.

[witeshark]

Thanks for posting the solution.

[squeeky2]

Thank you, any time, I seem to think I will like this site better than some of the other. So when ever I can give my little input I will.

I do have another issue..now it is hesitating in first and 2nd gear.

So many I have read ahve different ideas to this problem,
but I'm going to try the intake bellow (boot and maybe the instake sensor first

[witeshark]

Best of luck sorting it.