F10/11 520D and/or B47 engine owners - vibration noise

[Calps]

Evening all,

Hoping some among you may have some info on potential issues/things I can check based on what I'm experiencing lately.

2014, F10 520D, auto with B47 engine (~150k miles)

In the past 2 weeks I've noticed a vibration sound when the car is stationary and I put it into gear.

When stationary and I put the gearbox into D, a vibration sound commences from what appears to be the engine bay area. If it returns it to P, it goes away. Doesn't happen in R.

When I pull away it disappears, returning momentarily when the revs pass 1500 rpm (only at this point in the rpm range, not before or after) or when I come to a standstill again.

There is a (very) small pulse through the car when the gearbox is initially put into gear, like the full extent of the drivetrain has been engaged - I think that's has always been there, but mentioning it in case I've normalised it and it's a potential symptom.

If there's any collective knowledge out there on what would be worth checking, or if this sounds similar to what someone has already experienced, I'd welcome your inputs.

 

[Pondrew]

Try Bimmerpost. Go to the UK forum for the F3x (3 and 4 series). The other series are generally US only and not so good. It is a good forum with a couple who know their BM engines.

 

[Calps]

Try Bimmerpost. Go to the UK forum for the F3x (3 and 4 series). The other series are generally US only and not so good. It is a good forum with a couple who know their BM engines.

Cheers Pondrew, I've done just that. And now I let the internet do its thing.....

 

[Pondrew]

Cheers Pondrew, I've done just that. And now I let the internet do its thing.....

Just saw it on there! Just for a laugh I was tempted to reply and point you in the direction of here! :lol:
You may have to wait a bit as the knowledgeable few are not on there every day. Good luck.

 

[Calps]

Thanks for sparing me, Pondrew...

(In fairness, that would have given me a good giggle though....)

 

[srhutch]

Have you changed the gearbox fluid. I’ve just picked a service kit up for mine. Changing mine at around 75k.

 

[Number5]

Put the gearbox in Sport mode and then engage Drive and see if it’s still there.

Sport operates the Gearbox at a higher fluid pressure for quicker changes, so if it’s an issue with fluid not getting through the Mechatronic unit adequately in Normal mode, Sport may eliminate it.
If that’s the case, then change the fluid.

BMW say it’s a lifetime fluid, but that’s only to tick the green box and make running costs appear cheaper. ZF who make the gearbox recommend a change after 50-60k miles

 

[patriot66]

I have a 2014 F11 520d approaching 100k and had the ZF8HP gearbox oil changed at 85k just after I bought the car as it seemed a little tardy. Improved things greatly, much better all round

 

[Calps]

Thanks folks,

No maintenance completed on the gearbox during my ownership - unclear if any was done before I bought the car, but I've put ~60k miles on it since then, so some TLC is probably due regardless. I tried the Sport mode suggestion from Number5, however the noise persists. It seems a little duller today - maybe it's the weather, maybe it's my imagination.

In my mind, it sounds like it could be something has come loose, or has worked it way against another component, and then makes the vibrating noise when the frequency of the engine hits a specific resonance (idling or 1500rpm). Maybe I'm just hoping it's this and not linked to the gearbox. Next step is to have someone sit in the car, cycle it between D and P, stick my head into the engine bay, and hope my hearing is up to scratch.

Overall it's quite subtle, most probably wouldn't notice it, so I can live with it for a while. If my sleuthing doesn't unearth a root cause, and it persists or worsens, I'll just take it to my indy.

 

[Number5]

My Auto 2015 F11 suddenly died at 85k

I got in it one morning and there was a nasty jerk when putting into Drive or Reverse and it didn’t want to move. (Like the brake was on)

However, I found that either letting it warm up to 40c or putting it in Sport and using the paddles, seems to cure the issue and it drove fine.

BMW wanted &7k for a new gearbox, so using an Indy, We stripped the box and it looked brand new. All clutches were fine Checked the Torque Converter, that was OK, so just put it back together with new fluid and it seemed fine 90% of the time.

A new Mechatronic unit was another £2.5k after the £1k I’d already spent, so I traded it whilst it was still behaving.

I searched the internet for weeks and couldn’t find anyone with the same issue.