I'm freaking out! - BMW Forum

drz · 09-24-2005, 01:54 AM

This may be an emergency situation:

A few weeks ago I started noticing a new noise in my car. It seems to come from righ in front of the drivers seat, under the steering column. The sound resembles what one would hear when presing into a plastic water bottle and releasing.... some sort of a tick almost. It is periodic: every five seconds or so I can hear it. It sounds like some valve is being opened and or closed, or maybe like when a big air buble makes it to the top of a body of water (example: when one farts under water). Furthermore, I can feel motion on my brake pedal whenever I hear the sound -- it is the only of the three pedals on which this happens. I can only hear the noise from inside the car - I have had no luck when I have tried to follow it with the hood open or when I get under the car. The noise comes and goes, but lately I have been hearing it more often, and it has also become louder. Somebody that heard me describe the noise suggested I may have to top off my brake fluid.

Help please (!)

- Daniel

fredo 328 · 09-24-2005, 09:59 AM

Sounds like the noise might be coming from the Brake Servo Unit. Its sits right in front of the driver on the other side of the fire wall and right behind the brake master cylinder
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...63&hg=34&fg=25

I know nothing about this thing except that it helps braking on cars with disk brakes
http://www.kfz-tech.de/Engl/Bremskraftverst.htm

You might want to do some searches on how it works and what may go wrong with it. It may not even be the problem but your noise is around that and the master cylinder

Delmarco · 09-24-2005, 11:38 AM

hey that is cool...someone else uses realoem.com awesome!!!

Furious · 09-24-2005, 04:14 PM

good call, i was thinking along the same lines, but you got the links which i dont got. nice work

fredo 328 · 09-24-2005, 06:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Furious

good call, i was thinking along the same lines, but you got the links which i dont got. nice work

ah shucks, you're making me frik'en blush

drz · 09-26-2005, 07:36 PM

Thanks guys. Problem persists (I haven't done anything to fis it yet). Here is an update:

This morning the clicking began even before I started the engine. The clicking appeared after I depressed the brake pedal after turning the key to the "accesory" position (radio, A/C come on, etc., but car is still not running). I used the opportunity (no engine noise) to track the clicking. It seems to come from the structure pictured in the attached images. I felt the vibration that went along with the sound there also. Can someone please help me? What is this thing? I apologize if this is what you guys were talking about earlier. I am very concerned because I don't know if I will lose my brakes due to whatever is causing this if it gets worse. Also, the cliking seems to disappear once the car has warmed up some, but I cannot say tht it is consistent.

fredo 328 · 09-26-2005, 07:57 PM

Dude, take it to a shop. With just a few exceptions, we're all playing arm-chair mechanic here on that one. If its your hydro unit for your ABS/brakes then you really need to have someone (brake shop) look at it. Really dont want your brakes to give out when your flying 75 mph then suddenly have to stop for something and not be able to....

drz · 09-26-2005, 08:03 PM

I am planning on taking it to the shop. I already made an appointment with someone (work appointment, not mechanic) tomorrow morning, but I will try to stop by the mechanic on the way back to the office. I just don't want to show up not knowing what is going on at all. Also, should I expect to pay for them to tell me what is wrong? Or should I be able to geta free estimate?

Keep the info coming if you know what this thing is/may be.

Storamin · 09-26-2005, 09:22 PM

it depends. if you are friends with them, they probaly won't charge you. some places i have been will charge, others will not.

drz · 09-26-2005, 09:25 PM

I have never been to a mechanic in this area. They don't know me.

buuhh99 · 09-26-2005, 10:31 PM

go to a bmw dealer or a reputable shop not a jiffy lube, and make sure they hear the noise

SD318is · 09-27-2005, 01:21 AM

how about someone tell him what that "structure" in his pictures is....maybe that would help!

drz · 09-27-2005, 01:44 AM

^^ Yes please. I would much rather show up being able to call it by name. That way I am less likely to get ripped off.

Oh -- and Jiffy Lubes, etc. = no no, big no no

fredo 328 · 09-27-2005, 05:49 AM

Dont know why those would be affecting your brakes since those two silver knobs are part of your water valve for your climate control.
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...26&hg=64&fg=18
If that is what is making noise than a shop that specializes in ac would be where I go. Hell, maybe you just need to add some refrigerant and you're good to go

drz · 09-27-2005, 07:47 AM

Thanka lot fredo! I agree: I doubt this would be affecting the brakes, so either this is not it, or I really have no problems with my bakes. Thank you for bein persistent. I guess I am not very good with realoem, because I looked around fervently without finding this (of course, I limited myself to the braking system).